Key Drop & Hawaiian Astraxanthin Ride

OFR went to Pannikin in LaJolla today.

62 Degrees as I left home for the ride northward on the SOMA. Giving the tendon some workout today.  I did have my wool arm warmers on for any downhills I might encounter early. Rolled by the Thursday gruppo pick-up spot at Magee Park in Carlsbad. No one there before 0830. Most OFR riders went out to ride the annual PIE RIDE from Santa Ysabel today. I usually hook up with them as I am riding the "Camels To Yaqui Pass" Permanent. Hated to miss this one, but I figured it the tendon blew when I was down in Borrego Springs, it would be tough haul up Yaqui Pass and Banner Grade.

Hooked up with a helmet-less stocky hammerhead as I was riding along the beach on Hwy. 101. He blew through every stop-sign and did a loop-around at red-lights too. Of course, I yelled out each time. I eventually passed him on the short climb up to Encinitas. Stopped at Swami's, where the OFR remains were just leaving. 8 of us riding south. I dropped to the rear as they were moving along at 17mph. Chatted with everybody a bit and even followed through the Del Mar "neighborhood" route. Rode with Navy guy Ben Hassell up the Torrey climb. He was talking election stuff. Al took off ahead. I was in the big ring and out of the saddle the whole way. I figured to give the tendon a workout. Stopped at the top for BR and water reload at the regroup. They were heading downhill to Pannikin in LaJolla. I knew they would be there for at least one hour and had to climb out again. I was going east.

Joe Morgan sampler.

I did hook up with the gruppo riding through UCSD on the way back. Al was way ahead and going over to Carmel Valley Road for some extra miles. Rode with the rest through Solana Beach. Old Dale took off and I followed. A Swami rider blew around and we hooked up. Dale dropped and I pulled alongside Swami on his Cervelo Carbon TT bike. He recognized me from Nytro. Said Joe got him a new replacement carbon frame for his other frame (seems the seatpost clamp bolt-nuts came out from the frame). He also said the new local police chief (woman) sent out a notice to all bike groups about stopping for stop signs and riding two-abreast.( Keith sent me a copy this week.) Guess they are writing up bikers again. Good.

I stopped off at Nytro to see what's up. Picked up a few things and Joe was looking for some samples of the new stuff he is taking called Hawaiian Astaxanthin. He has been taking it for a week. Says it works good. Might have some more in next week to try. Also picked up some more of those good carry bags from BMC. Need one for Bruce Tipton. Nytro Mike and I discussed my tendon pain and he said he had that. He knew the name of the tendon in question and said rest, ice with a few Advil would work over a few weeks. Great?

Found a bunch of keys after COSTCO stop.

Added some more "White Flower" to my tendon and had a good ride northward. Stopped off at COSTCO for a $1.46 Yogurt. Good deal there as I sat and observed people. Next off I went to stop by John M's. work place. Before the turn I saw a bunch of keys in the bike lane. Picked them up. AirProducts parking lot was full up. Didn't see John's Element there so I went back to the AM/PM on Palomar Airport Road and gave them the keys to hang up on their board. Hopefully someone will pick them up. Had a Toyota car key and many builders keys in the bunch.

Headed north and then back to San Marcos to finish up the ride. 3/5 ride today. Got in some steady 16mph riding and 5 miles of 23mph stuff. Only a few climbs today. Ankle wasn't bad riding, but when I stopped a while and got back on the bike it hurt good. Weather was great today as light rain is forecast for Friday night into Saturday. Wouldn't that be nice?

Clear skies today.
Hi: 78     Lo: 63
102 miles

-randorides

  

.357 Mag Ammo & Kiwi Polish Ride

Ammo delivery for Joe

Monday ride? Unusual for me, but a good way to start the week. Left as the sun was coming up. Nice to start in the daylight for a change. Temps were mild as I adjusted my newish BMC carry bag on my back. Inside I had a stash of stuff to drop off at Nytro for Joe Morgan. One bottle of Kiwi Heel and Sole Polish. This really works good on my SIDI black shoes. Offers a hard shell protection to the toe area. It really shines & protects with 2 coats. Also packing some .357 mag & .22 LR Hollow Point cartridges. Had these for years and needed to unload them for fresh stuff.

Sat around at McDonalds in Bonsall for a while. Downed a choc sundae for the energy level boost today. Picked up a nice light tailwind on Hwy. 76 and even the SLR. Ankle was a little "achy" as I got into a nice rhythm on the Bike Path. Figured I would stop off at Dan's Shop in Oceanside as ask for shopping cart axle advise. Climbed over to his shop before noon, where Dan was chomping on a Subway Sandwich!. Dan said he would make some sleeves to fit over the smaller axles so the new cart wheels would fit OK. Thinking about it, we decided it would be better to just get some new axles in case I needed to replace the wheels again in the future. Dan had a junk piece of rod in his metal scrap pile. This measured out perfect. Only one? Yep. Dan fussed around and rolled it up in protective paper to strap along the top tube on the SOMA without scratching it. Off I went, heading south.

This stuff really protects your SIDI shoes!

Had a leg rub on the top-tube "package", but managed to keep my leg out enough to clear. Left ankle was already "jacked up" so this should balance it out. Dropped the Polish and ammo off at Nytro for Joe to use. Didn't stay long and headed over to Swami's for a cracker break. Weather was sunny and nice. Waves were nearly flat, but still had 50 surfers milling around and a few of them were actually surfing! Why have a job when you can surf?

Headed south, hit the SR-56 Bike Path. Not much going on there on a Tuesday, especially in the afternoon. Stopped at the Rhodes Crossing Circle K for a break. Sitting outside in the warm sun was real nice. Rode up Camino Del Sur at a slow pace in the big ring. Saw one rider going the other way and waived! Finally made it around Lake Hodges and over the Pedestrian Bridge. Took the back way over to Escondido via El Ku. No turn on Gamble Lane today for me. Limped home on the Inland Rail Trail.

Below average day on the bike today. Late starts are nice and warm for a change with no extra clothes to carry. Did get some stuff delivered to Joe and picked up a perfect fitting axle for Zaharah's cart. That project is a real dead ender. All for the want of steel wheels in lieu of plastic. Go figure.

Clear skies all day
Hi: 84    Lo: 65
68 miles

-randorides

Not On Weekends

Garmin ride stats from Keith's new "Not On Weekends" Populaire

Looks like it's a last minute GO for Keith's new Populaire today. Rode the 0444 Sprinter over to Coast Highway Station and cranked 'er up down to the Carlsbad 7-Eleven start. Riding the carbon Fuji with aging Gatorskin Hardshells on. Dan Phillips was waiting along the road in Carlsbad. Got my Reese Piece for a 20 cent receipt and we started south on Hwy. 101 after 0530. I was starting the Popularie here is Carlsbad and we would meet Keith around 0800 at the Dog Beach 7-Eleven. We'll ride back up to Carlsbad together. Keith would return solo for his Populaire out and back route. Sounded good.

Riding along in the dark by the ocean was great this morning. Temps in the mid-60's and no wind. Dan set a seemingly brisk pace (always seems fast when riding in the dark). My headlamp beam was crapping out. Earlier this AM I recharged 2/3 batteries OK. Went to recharge the #3 and it wouldn't take a charge from my Lenmar charger. OH, well. Put it in and now it was fading quickly. In Encinitas, a NB rider yelled at us, we yelled back. He did a U-Turn and caught up. We thought maybe it was John Mestemacher or some other rando. Nope. Some guy looking for a group he was supposed to meet up with early. He did another U-Turn and continued north. We blasted through Solana Beach to all green lights in this early hour. I slowed to chat with a red/white wool jersey rider. "Montf Palomar" is what the jersey read. He was going down to Carmel Valley to meet up with some buddies. Dan & I pulled away, but he continued to gain as we stopped at each red-light and stop-sign, whereas he didn't!

"Lost his mind" dude gave away his Pugsley

Sun was rising yellow from the east as we climbed up Torrey Pines at a 9mph pace. Stopped at the top and grabbed a banana from the Mobile Mechanic table set up there. Great idea for bike business! It was 0650 and we were on a early arrival pace. I wanted to hit the bushes on the Rose Canyon Bike Path, but nixed the idea when I saw there was construction equipment there. No traffic pace as we rode along Mission Bay and was hoping to stop at one of the bathrooms there. Nope. Not yet 0730 and we were on the Ocean Beach Bike Path. This place was loaded with "campers" near the highway. Most were getting up now and rolling up their stuff. A full homeless encampment along there as we dodged people on the path. Arrived at the turn-around Dog Beach 7-Eleven Control at 0750. Keith rode up a few minutes later. Keith got double receipts with the purchase of two Reese Pieces. We were good to go now.

Chatted outside and waited around for 0800 to come. Some guy starts talking with us about all his Surly bikes. How he gave away his Pugsley and all! Ya right. Asked why he isn't cycling now, he simply said: " I lost my mind"! We rode off through the Park and onto the Ocean Beach Bike Path eastward. We were half done and Keith was just starting his Populaire.

Keith's Egret in the SD River Channel

Keith was telling Dan about the egrets around here and Dan responded with stories of hydroplane races on this
same San Diego River channel. Made good time around Mission Bay and even the traffic merge without any close calls. Lots of riders out now and I hooked up with a racer guy on a white Litespeed going up Santa Fe Street. Said he was waiting for his fast "Chili's ride group to catch up. Saw a few SDBC riders as we rode together up to UCSD Campus. Riders out in force now and we played around with a few groups while climbing up to Del Mar. As I got out of the saddle to hammer a little, a branch hit my nose and almost put me out! After a regroup we moderated the pace some.

Dan's Hydroplane races in the SD River

Dan paced us through Solana Beach at 20 mph and we hooked up with a racer guy and his girlfriend on lite bikes. She dropped off at the first rise and Dan & I held on as he cranked 'er up to 24mph. With my 13T cog I was out of gears and bouncing on the saddle till I finally eased up. Dan held on to the pull up to Swami's. We stopped there for a blow and a refresh. Two guitar guys were set up there serenading the bikini clad surfer girls. Good idea. Dan set a quick pace up to the Palomar rise, where he tried to match a real racer guy. Said he didn't have the form today. Enough said. Keith pulled us into our final stop at Oak Ave. 7-Eleven. Dan & I were finished with Keith's Populaire for the day. I filled in my card, ate an Ice Cream Sandwich with a side of banana and gave Keith a few tips on mailing Cards in to Crista (RUSA). Looks like Keith had a tailwind all the way back to Ocean Beach. After final kudoz on the ride today, Dan & I rode north. I was jumping the Sprinter and Dan was going over to his workplace for Saturday memories.

Looked like a decent day today on the bike. Maybe a 3/5. Two Advil and double rub of "White Flower" day for the left ankle tendon thing. Had some good hi-speed work and need to correct my battery recharge thing for my headlamp. Looks like Keith's new Populaire is a pleasant 5 hour route. Good job Keith!


Partly cloudy day
Hi: 77    Lo: 61
68 miles

-randorides

Coffee With Ben & Al

Temp dropped to 47 today

Official Twin Oaks Valley temp this morning is 53 degrees. Which means it will be 10 degrees lower around Bonsall. Time for my woolie hat, long fingered gloves and arm warmers. I used a lowly ANSI vest for visibility and a little warmth over my jersey. I guess summer is finally over. I'll miss the early AM starts when it was 68 degrees and you only needed a jersey/shorts to ride in comfort. I spent my youth growing up in the cold winters of Iowa and moved out to SoCal from Colorado. Enough cold for me. I had also changed cleats over on my SISI riding shoes. Now the both sides had 17degrees release angle. Easy release side was the left side now. Also different pedals on the Fjui vs the SOMA (which are loose and worn out).

Left San Marcos at 0600 and headed northward. Hit a thermal inversion at Deer Springs Road. Felt like summer had returned again. That thought was soon dashed as I recorded a cool of 47 degrees near Bonsall. With a 17mph wind chill, it was cool! Stopped at AM/PM there and warmed up! Westward HO for warmth along Hwy. 76 and the SLR. I clicked over to Canyon and went up to see Dan Phillips at Bussey's Auto in Oceanside. Busy there, so I hit the head, said hello to Dan (who was putting on a set of felt anti-corrosion tabs on a van's battery). Good job and happy customer too. No donuts from the box this time. Went down Oceanside Main street as the sun was up now. Pulled into Magee Park and stripped down. Packed the extras onto my HB bag. Bruce Tipton, old Alan L. and 2 ladies were there for the OFR grupo today.

We rode down the coast and picked up Troy Buss and Dr. Dan at Poinsettia Lane wait spot. After some chit-chat, I went over to Encinitas ACE Hardware while the others rode to Swami's Park for the big regroup. At ACE, I picked up the 4 wheels I ordered for the Ms. cart and packed them into my BMC carry-bag. Don't like to carry things on my back, but 40 miles shouldn't be too bad today. Ankle wasn't feeling too bad yet. Swami's group decided to ride down to Mt. Soledad today. Left the main gruppo at Carmel Valley Rd. and rode with Ben and Alan on the SR-56 Bike Path eastward.

Old Alan was crankin' er up on his DA Focus today. Ben was lagging a bit and I was trying to keep my left shoe straight with the crank. Maybe that would fix my tendon pain? I went over to AM/PM for a blow and smoothed some White Lightning on my left tendon. Then rode over to the Coffee House and sat with the boys. They had these huge coffee cups on the outside table. I don't drink coffee so I listened as Ben was talking politics with Alan. Didn't want any part of that when Alan ask me: "Do you think Obama is a Muslin?

Ben had a triple crank-arm wrap today like this! Fantastic indeed!

We left together and Ben had 2 different phone stops on Camino Del Sur. On the climb up to San Dieguito, Ben dropped his chain. I waited ahead, but they were still back there in the bike lane. I circled back. Ben had wrapped his chain around his crank-arm 3 times! I don't know how he did that. Finally, I suggested we flip his bike over and I pulled his chain out over his SPD pedal. BINGO! His chain wasn't super dirty, so I wiped my hands on the handy carry-along damp rag I carry. The boys left me at the Dieguito turn. Nice riding with them for a change when I wasn't racing along.

Had a nice climb up to Rancho Bernardo and took the Martinel cut over to the Lake Hodges Pedestrian Bridge. Thought about Gamble Lane shortcut but decided to save my tendon for another day. Temps were in the 90's now as I rode around Escondido. Finished up at home before 1400.

Good day today on the road and picked up those cart wheels too. BMC carry-bag makes for a sweaty back and extra weight. Maybe a 3/5. Tendon didn't feel too bad with the different pedals on the Fuji. Maybe those SOMA Crank Bros Acid Pedals need some firming up with a rebuild? I'll check it out.

Maybe I can get Keith out for a ride this Saturday?

Clear skies all day
Hi: 91     Lo: 47
85 miles

Shortie: BikeMS Traffic!

Mixed up with the 2014-MS Ride from Irvine today!

Thought I would give er a go today. Early start with the SOMA. Local weather temp was 56 degrees, so it's time for arm warmers and my road worker reflective vest. Put in a paper vest just to keep toasty. Started at 0500 and rolled northward. Dark-dark out this morning. Slight moon was covered in high clouds. Headlamp worked OK. Temps dropped to 53F as expected when I sped down Champagne Blvd and on Camino Del Rey to Bonsall. Short stop to get a receipt from bleary eyed employes. Hit the head and put some ice in my solo bottle. Had a couple scoops of Gatorade "Endurance" in there laced with a solo scoop of Carbo-Pro.

Much warmer now as I raced the traffic to the traffic trap near the tomato fields. Yes, they were writing them up already... and on a Sunday too! No shame? Not much going on the SLR today. Too early I guess to hook up with a pull. Cruised past the quiet Oceanside Pier and ended up at the Magee Park bathroom. Took off my arm warmers, reflective vest and paper undervest. Rolled them neatly to the front of my bag. Rolled sourth to heavy bike traffic. Seems I got into some of the many Bike MS Ride-2014. They were all over the place. Some missing a turn in Encinitas and reversing course on the bike lane! Guess they don't have red lights up in Irvine to practice stopping. Research shows they all started in Irvine and are riding down to LaJolla Shore on a 2 day event.

Couldn't wait to get down to Solana Beach and start inland, leaving the MS Gruppos to figure it out themselves. Ankle felt like tendon crap, so I added some "White Flower" and did spinning practice up the gentle inland rollers. Finally arrived in Escondido and took the Inland Rail Trail back to San Marcos. Not much road traffic inland today.

Tendon X Lo-energy level = 1/5 for this ride today. Add in the near misses with the MS riders and it would drop to 0/5! Hehe. The positive thought for today is: It can only go up from here!

High early clouds, clearing later.
Hi: 72     Lo: 53
67miles

-randorides

"Nipple" Recovery Ride

Brass Nipples.( Without the silver plating)

Rode the SOMA over to Encinitas today for a few errands. Had to order a front cart wheel for Zaharah and see Joe at Nytro Multisport. Nice riding under warming late morning traffic and a few puffy clouds scattered about. Took the back way over past John's house and El Camino Real and up Garden View to Encinitas. Tendons on left ankle didn't feel too bad. Probably the best after a ride in a month. Maybe the cleat adjustment works?

First stopped off a the retro ACE Hardware store in downtown Encinitas. I imagine that building on Coast Hwy. 101 is pricy to lease (or own). The store is packed with stuff, just like the old time Coast To Coast Hardware Store in Hartley, IA. They were busy again, but I managed to sneak in a order for 2-5" wheels, axle diameter of 9.25mm. They all should come in next week.

Next up was a short ride down the street to Nytro. Normal early morning pace in there. Chatted with Joe in spurts in his "cubby-hole" office. Busy on the phone with cyclists and helping staff to get organized. I noticed 6 new bikes parked side by side nearby. Three Cannondales, two Cervelos and another brand. ( Like last time I was here see blog entry). I asked if they were the same bikes as Tuesday. Nope, new orders ready to get fitted and picked up! Joe said yesterday (Thursday) was a busy day in the store. Thursdays seem to be busy whenever I would stop by that day. I also picked up 32-Brass Nipples when I was there. Need to work my wheels over on the SOMA a bit. Have a little "hump" in the rear. Brass nipples don't have the "corrosion effect" with steel spokes as do Aluminum nipples. Only long distance way to go.

Went to Swami's for a banana and BR before heading back to San Marcos. I guess you could call that a recovery ride.

Keith Olsen email me yesterday about 2 Cyclo-Vet riders going down on Rose Canyon Bike Path. One was busted up good and is in the hospital. The other was hurt too. I don't know all the details, but they must have been going southward at a good rate of speed. I don't think Keith was riding with the group that day.

Nice riding this morning.
34 miles

-randorides

Ursa Minor Revival With OFR

Garmin Stats from todays ride

At 0400 it's 64 degrees outside under mostly cloudy skies (keep in the heat). That's the word via The Weather Underground and the official weather station near the Twin Oaks Valley Post Office. Close enough. Looks like a regular jersey ride today. I'll carry my usual paper vest in my HB bag for those cool downhills. Try out the cleat adjustment on this ride. Riding the SOMA today. Left the new G'skin HARDSHELLs on for this ride. Took the back way over to the start. Mike Shaw was joining up for this ride, but didn't see him at the 7-Eleven start. His car was there and I figured he went on a warm-up looking for me on Mission Road. There he is. We left slightly after 0600.

Passed a rider with a unique array of white rear lights. Sort of like Christmas lights around his seat stays and under his seat. Quite visible from afar. His front light was visible from 10 feet! Chatted with Mike about his new Populaire route he is working on. Rode past Palomar Hospital and it looks like someday they will have Citracado Pkwy. going straight to Valley Parkway. Some work being done on the extension now.

Traditional Red Velvet Donuts are baked. Ours weren't!

Del Dios seemed busy for this time of day. We rolled into Solana Donuts for our control stop. Both got a "Red Velvet" donut. Lady said they were deep fried instead of the traditional oven baked! Bummer. Didn't hang around long. As we cycled up to Coast Hwy., my Velvet and sack left my HB bag and laid nicely on the street. I looped around and picked it up. No worse for wear and not much sand on it. The frosting was a little sticky as I tried to keep pace while riding one-handed northward.

Several riders went by and we finally hooked up with "David" on a TREK hybrid bike. Had his rear rack and 700x38 Bonti tires on, so he must be rando material? He was rolling at 19mph, as we hung on and chatted about randonneuring. Dave seemed interested, so later on I handed him a Rando Card and pumped up the sport.* He turned off at Palomar Airport Road toward ViaStat, where he works, commuting 3 days a week. Mike and I stopped at the Carlsbad Oak St. 7-Eleven for a time break and ice refill. I anted up for bananas. We rolled into Magee Park at 0820 at hit the bathrooms. Several OFR riders were waiting around the parking lot.

We thought we would ride to Dana Point with the OFR gruppo today. Maybe 12 of us total. Rode through Camp Pendleton, where the pace quickened on the first climb. Bruce Tipton (new Focus AG2r bike) and rando Mike (TREK Domane) were off to the races. I was pulling Al & John till I dropped them on a hill. I soon rode up to Mike and we reqrouped at the Las Plugas parking lot with the others.

Commuter "Dave" rode a TREK with disc brakes & rear rack.

Mike & I went ahead and finally waited at the San Onofre Campground #1( the usual #11 was closed for the season). I later learned the others stopped at #10! We regrouped in a bit and took the neighborhood through San Clemente. Mike & I turned eastward on the San Juan River Trail to SJC, while the others went to Dana Point Harbor for lunch. If all went well, we would be back in 50 minutes for a regroup. Rode with a nice positive-attitude lady toward SJC. I've seen her on the trail before. We ended up at Carl's Jr. for a control break.

Oreo IC Sandwiches were the order of the day. After sitting around for too long, we retraced our route back to Dana Point. We were 5 minutes late, but I spotted a green jersey far up the road. The group took the "neighborhood" through San Clemente. Us Randos took El Camino straight through. We waited for them near the Trestles Bike Path. Bruce and I took the surfer road over to Trestles Beach to check it out. After a high speed pursuit, we finally caught the gruppo at BR #10 in the campground. Mike had gone ahead to Las Pulgas. We had a final regroup in the parking lot, where several riders hopped in a van for the ride to Oceanside.

Bruce Tipton was smokin' on his Focus AG2r today.

Kiwi Stuart, Bruce T., Mike & I were off to the training races through the camp. Stuart dropped a chain on the first climb. Bruce took off like a rocket. Mike & I did the rando thing through the base. My ankle tendon was acting up so I hit it with some "White Flower" as Mike led out on the SLR eastward. Nice quick pace along Hwy. 67 over to Bonsall under clear skies and nice riding temps. Of course, no ice cream at McDonalds again! I opted for a Parfait Yogurt and stretched the ankle out.

Easy rando pace on Camino Del Rey today. Mike had been talking about using the big-ring on climbs today and something about the same gear-inches as the 34 chain-ring. I had a nice big-ring pace starting up Champagne, but later geared down and we rode up together. Mike took off near the top for some reason.. something about Strava records? The new road sections on Centre City are nice... if they would only cover the bumpy stuff next. We finished up at 7-Eleven before 1600. I figured that was good, since I wasn't in a race mood & we stopped and hung around quite a bit today.

Got in some good training at speed today: up Coast Hwy. with Dave, northward through the Base, catch-up after Trestles and the final base run again. 3/5 for today's ride. Left ankle is still jacked up. Tendon or maybe a muscle strain? White Flower and a 1-Advil day today.

* - David Danovsky did email me later in the day and was interested in some Saturday Rando rides. I put him on the notice list. Said he needs to dump his real heavy Bontrager tires for some lighter ones. He also has a MTB he rides out here. Mmmm?

Cloudy early, clearing later
Hi: 87     Lo: 64
132 miles


-randorides

Shortie Route: 7 Bikes For Pick-Up!

Searching for a quality cart wheel today

Time for a short ride today. No leaving early today. Much cooler today. Looks like California Fall is here. Expect night temps to dip into the 40's F soon. Bummer. Time for long johns and jackets in SoCal!

Mounted up the SOMA this morning. Added the HB bag and rolled out after 0900. Wore a long sleeve under the jersey for the first time in months. Ended up being too warm later along the coast. Not much going on on the ride over to Oceanside. Was planning on stopping by and see Dan Phillips at his shop  but never made it. His buddy Bill Stevenson finished up the Ursa Minor yesterday and now will be out of town till December! Ankle tendon felt a little "itchy" on the slow cruise down the coast

I rode over to Avenida Encina and stopped at the ACE Hardware store there. NCCC rides used to stop next door at the Ralph's store for a regroup sometimes. I was checking out some replacement wheels for Zaharah's shopping cart. The frame is good, but the wheels are trash. Cheap plastic wheels just didn't last. I was looking for some steel spoke wheels. None there. All they had were heavy duty wheelbarrow wheels  and the like. Off down the coast to Encinitas. Sun was coming through now and it was warming up . Almost perfect riding with a slight tailwind. Stopped at the Coast ACE store in downtown Encinitas. Same wheel selection there. I did manage to do earlier online research and thus ordered a set delivered to the store with no charge for shipping! This crowded store was really busy today. Nice people there. Looks like they do a good business with the location and no Home Depot nearby.

Joe had 7 bikes lined up for pick-up today. Cha-Ching$

Rolled over to Nytro to check things out. Harvey and Joe were at the front counter doing nothing. Got some time with Joe to check on a price for a Surly Ogre frame and fork. Frame and fork are 40% the price of a full bike. I think I would need a medium size. Also did a followup on the Cygolight 800. Looks like that light has the best run time and specs for the money. Nytro isn't a dealer for Cygolight, but is for Niterider. I don't believe NiteRider has a high lumen light witha removable rechargeable battery. I'll check again.

Noticed a row of various bike parked next to Joe's office space. Different brands including Quintana Roo, Cervelo and Cannondale TT's. I counted 7 of them all waiting fitting and pick-up. Looks like they all had various seats per rider preference in addition to other extras. Looks like a good way to start the week. I was wondering why they laid down big money and hadn't picked up the bike yet?

Put my stuff in this tough BMC carry bag.

Next up was a chat with Joe on my month long outside the ankle tendon pains. I figured it was the shoes or the cleats. He noticed my sore ankle shoe cleat was off and readjusted it straight. I picked up my usual Carbo-Pro 2 lb. packet and a few Shot-Bloks and some Vanilla GU (for those Choc. Sundaes). Put everything in a well made BMC carry bag. This bag was stylish and tough designed. Fits your back good and is strong too! I've had several various mini-bags and they all seem to rip out after 2 uses. Not these!  A big gift pizza order just came in for the crew there. I opted out and hit the road.

Stopped over at Swami's for a banana break and a chat with a couple of riders there. Notice the surf look real good today with a NW swell so I stopped at Cardiff Beach and watched the surfers there. The waves looked to be 8-9 feet and surfers had long runs on them. Guess those guys were more than regular 'ol surfers. Rolled down to Solana Beach and turned inland through Rancho Santa Fe. Ankle felt a little better but still had a few pangs in there. Heel of left food was still a bit in toward the crankarm. I couldn't adjust it out because I left my handy multi-tool in the other bag. Do it when I get home. A few rides along the Del Dios stretch, but it's late in the day to see any riders at all. Did the normal reverse loop back to San Marcos via Barham Dr. Rode home and unpacked in the garage. Adjusted my left cleat and rode around the block a few times. Felt better now. No challenging routes till I get this dialed in good!

Mostly cloudy with patches of sun
Hi: 76     Lo: 63
68 miles

-randorides

Mike's New Route in the Mix

Mike's prelim Permanent route

In the continuing quest to enhance and enlighten the local rando community, another new Permanent is in the works. Mike Shaw has been working on his new route entitled "North County Loop". I've thrown some ideas his way from time to time. Mike submitted this route to RUSA and reported back that Crista Borras (RUSA Permanent Coordinator) put it in her busy Que for review. Crista will check it out, make notes and then later send it on to the San Diego Regional Brevet Co-ordinator Dennis Stryker for review. Hopefully later this month Mike will have the route approval and be riding it!

This route was based on a training ride Mike and sometimes his buddy Sandy Aniya do all the time. Ample amount of climbing and hits the coast for some hard-body views too! Looks like a good Populaire.

RUSA approved Mike's "North County Loop" on October 20. Route #2482

-randorides

Drizzle at Peet's! Big weight loss on the road.

Today's route with a early fog start

For some reason, I awoke real early and laid around for a bit. Checked outside and it was overcast, which means temps in the 60's for sure. Then decided "why not ride"? Did my normal prep up after the oatmeal/banana breakfast. I'll take the Fuji carbon today, as I just changed the tires over to baldy G'skin Hardshell yesterday. They're on the long side of 3000mi and counting. Took off my new set I had on yesterday and stored them away for some "big" future ride. Put on my "road trash" workers reflective vest and left the house at 0430.

I quickly proceeded to drop my helmet light on the road. It popped open on impact and the batteries rolled away downhill on the 10% grade. I went back inside and got a regular headlight and searched for the batteries... found 2/3. Went in and replaced one of the AAA rechargeables. I was finally off. By now the weather had deteriorated into a heavy fog/drizzle. No problem, I'm heading east to Escondido and it will clear up riding away from the coast. Sorry buddy, not today. Weather closed in as I couldn't get my left shoe clipped in. I pulled into a 7-Eleven on Centre City Pkwy and checked my shoe out under the lights. Looked OK to me as I wiped the "fog" from my glasses. Proceeded south under crap weather and gritty brakes. Finally stopped again under the Mule Hill Chevron canopy. Left cleat looked off, so I got out my handy multi-tool and lined it up straight. I was off to the races clipped in now!

Can you see me now? Early start meant damp FOG-OH riding

HUH? Pedestrian Bridge over Lake Hodges was gated at 0615! Just great. I back-tracked over and around to the uncomfortable I-15 route . Soon I was on course and getting wetter. Took the "more climbing" Martinal Rd. short cut as the weather was easing up a bit. Starting to get light now as I saw some blinkie lights far ahead on Camino Del Sur. Not to be left alone, I cranked 'er up to 19mph and closed in. Caught two Filipino racers on TREK carbons going up the longish climb. Followed them a while before the thin climber guy had to check me out. On the next climb up to San Dieguito Road the big guy took off, shortly followed by the climber guy trying to drop me on a break-away. Sorry, guys... not today. I reeled in the climber and went around. Just then he eased up and reached for his bottle before turning around and looking for his buddy. I cruised into the Del Sur Circle K for a blow and receipt.

Sat around a while and filled my bottle before riding over and picking up a nice banana from the pile on the SR-56 Bike Path table. I think Mobil Bike Mechanic puts them out every Saturday for riders. Then I followed this strong long black-haired girl rider on a new Fuji along the Bike Path. She was grinding in the big ring/small cog the whole way. Left her on the climb up to Del Mar where I got behind 2 fast racer guys. I drafted them along the coast cruising at 24mph. Another short older guy on a small yellow TREK carbon joined in later. I know this guy form other rides. He hammers from Del Mar to Carlsbad all the time. I pulled off the train at Nytro, where I refilled my bottles with outside Gatorade Lemon-Lime feebie. Rode north and met a big rider in a blue jersey.

How big? Huge guy on a TREK bike. We chatted all the way to Carlsbad riding a good pace. He started out at 290 lbs. and was now down to 250 with cycling and lifestyle/diet changes. His wife is losing weight by swimming and running. That's another good cycling story. I told him how great he was doing and nice to see him on the road.

Lose weight cycling? YES, but need lifestyle change too!

Picked up another group and rode to the Pier with them. Left them as I turned off on the SLR. Headwind-like performance here as I slogged along at 17mph. TT rider was closing fast, so I amped it up to 19mph just to irritate him! Pulled into the College Ave bathroom for a chamios creme pak(the old transparent bibs were rubbing!) and some water. Chatted with a few older guys there about how fast they were. Pulled over onto the shady sidewalk on Andrew Jackson St. and flipped my bike over. The chain was making noise from the earlier road dirt-wash, so I broke open a handy WD-40 vial and soothed it out. Chomped my banana as I finished off the SLR extension path. Waited at the Hwy-76 light when this Rando guy rolled up behind.

Rando Mike Shaw was finishing off the Fix My Bike Populaire. We rode together over to Bonsall, where a small group of NCCC long riders were milling around. Mike & I were both wearing NCCC jerseys today! ( I was wearing a too large blue/gold retro version, which I feel was the best simple design ever). Mike talked to ride leader Dianna, as I ordered up my reward Choc Sundae. Leaving Bonsall, Mike and I chatted a bit about his new Permanent "North County Loop" as we rode along Camino Del Rey eastward. We split up on Hwy. 395 and I paced over past Lawrence Welk and up Champagne climb. No record setting pace here as I enjoyed the new section of Centre City roadway on the way to San Marcos. Maybe some day they will resurface the whole road? Pulled into the finish 7-Eleven to a large Saturday crowd.

This ride was a definite 2/5. After the cleat adjustment, my side left ankle tendon/ligament pain went mostly away. The unexpected drizzle weather made for crappy drive-line performance and damp feelings. Next time I'll sweat it out with a jacket. Got in some good hi-speed training work climbing with the Filipino racers and speed work along the coast. Not a total bust.


Suck conditions at the start, clear later
Hi: 86     Lo: 62
84 miles

-randorides

Keith's "Not On Weekends" Populaire update

Keith's new Route is in the works.

Keith and I have been hard at work on his new Permanent Populaire. That means less than 200km long. We discussed this on the Mission Bay meet-up over the weekend. He has come up with some good names for Permanents. This one he called "Not On Weekends". It's a basic one that goes from near his house in Ocean Beach to Carlsbad and returns. This should be a good motivator for him to dig down and make up some more and also get back on the bike and renew his Randonneur "P" and "R" Series status.

I did some of the legwork on this first one, while explaining what I did and what apps I used to make it complete. He can take over the reins now and learn to use the apps by experimenting making routes. It does take some time to master the stalwart RIDEwithGPS (which plots out your route online). Bikely used to be the one to use, but that has slipped away now after several nerds took over a couple years back.

Keith said that "Not On Weekends" route has been OK'd by perminista Crista Borras (RUSA) and now is in the hands of our local RBA Dennis Stryker. I hope it doesn't linger there, but with the new rule change several years ago, not longer than 2 weeks for sure. Hopefully the route will get a new # soon and we'll be riding it.

Keith "Not On Weekends" route was approved by RUSA on October 20. It's Route # 2483

-randorides 

OFR-Fix My Bike Meet Up

Rode the Reverse of this route today.

Thursday's are a good day to ride north when the OFR gruppo leaves Magee Park. I had sent out a email to OFR ride leader Troy Buss about heading north. Not to be as Bruce Tipton posted up a ride to Lake Hodges first. OK, well I'll think of something this morning as I pulled down the Fuji from the hook. Put some air in the tires (90/80 psi) and loaded up early. Only route that would work is Fix My Bike-R. Be nice to ride with the OFR'ers for half a route. Arm warmers only as I left the start at 0603 for a leisurely ride this morning. Had the new G'skin Hardshells on the Fuji from a last month long ride with the boys.Doing a reverse route today, with the Del Dios climb late in the route.

No fog today as I made regular time to the Bonsall control. Filled up ice and got a 40-cent Mounds mini-bar for receipt. Rolled east alongside heavy traffic. Moto-Cops were out in full force, with several stops by the tomato farm. Of course, blocking the bike lane. At the red-light, I watched streams of cars turn at Melrose to Vista Mission High School. Hadn't seen that before. Maybe school had just started up? Thought about stopping by and seeing Dan Phillips at Bussey's Auto in Oceanside. Nixed the idea and got to Magee Park with 10 minutes to spare. Only Kiwi Stuart, Lisa and Mike Tull there. Hadn't seen Mike in a year. He and new wife Cris were hiking the Colorado Trail when he fell and broke his clavicle. Almost had to crawl back to the trailhead with that pain. He's riding again and looking good.  We left Magee Park at the usual 0830 and rode the coast southward.

Lake Hodges shows low water levels this year. Maybe -20 feet?

Mike stopped off entering Encinitas for breakfast, as the rest of us made our way to Swami's Park. Around 15 others were there, chatting up a storm. Several were riding to Peet's, while the others were going over to Rancho Santa Fe town and Del Dios. I joined up with the latter group, leaving at 9:30. They took an alternate route over, which involved several extra turns to avoid a few climbs. One regroup at RSF before the race up Del Dios was on! Bruce on his new 13 lb. AG2r Focus DI2 and Troy led out with me. Soon Troy dropped off and it was Bruce and I hammering away around the dam. Bruce is a big Giants baseball fan and there are in the NLCS again this year. My tendons were feeling it, so I added some "White Flower" to the mix. We stopped before Via Rancho where Bruce and the others were to turn off.

Alone now, I rode the route around Harmony Grove and the back way to Barham and finished up at 1100 in San Marocs. Looks like a 3/5 ride today, with some good climbing pace and hitting Del Dios hard. Ankle is still jacked up in occasional pain, but I'll manage as always.

Overcast early, clearing later AM
Hi: 86     Lo: 64
69 miles

-randorides

Sandia Creek Century- Cooler riding

Popular climbing route today

High clouds most of the day
Hi: 99     Lo: 61
97 miles

-randorides

Mission Bay Meet-Up

Keith & I met up at Mission Bay Park early Saturday

Saturday morning and I need to keep off the climbs for ankle/tendon recovery today. Keith Olsen and I will have a meet up this morning at the Mission Bay Dr. McDonalds around 0800. After my normal oatmeal with grated apple, Agava, cinnamon, banana topped off with yogurt and a clean up,  I popped a Advil before starting out early (0400) on the SOMA. NO riders around anywhere this early as I did the regular Bonsall route over to the coast. Felt like a freeze zone in the north county valleys before hitting Oceanside. A lots warmer along the coast southward where I started to see a few riders all lit up with their 3 hr. powerful lights. I had my normal rear blinkies and a helmet light today. Sun was just starting to lighten things up as I go up Torrey Pines hill. Two or three more riders on the Rose Canyon Bike Path down to Mission Bay.

I stopped it to check McDonalds early and kept riding through the heavier traffic on Mission Bay. I wasn't looking for Keith at the Grand Ave merge and someone yelled at me. It was Keith riding the other way. I looped around and we decided to sit over by the water instead of McDonald's. Keith was riding his little used Specialized Langster fixed gear. We chatted about different things but concentrated on the rando thing. The main discussion centered around a planned trip to Yuma and different return options. Keith agreed to check into renting a van for the drive out and pick up of randos after we reached Yuma. (Later after dissecting the costs, I figured it was cost prohibitive for a rando pack van back. You could rent a car from Yuma for less ( 3-riders). Last topic was Keith's body reshape for cycling. Hope he follows through on that.

I left the comfy Mission Bay and rode with a girl through the merging traffic mess. I stopped at McDonald's for a econo choc. sundae and headed up Rose Canyon Bike Path. Warming up with a little wind. Several riders around the UCSD campus. Rode along the coast and up through Del Mar. Turned off at Carmel Valley Road and went inland on the SR-56 Bike Path to a giant heat increase. The oceanside was so cool today. Several groups of riders hammering away. Finally got over to Escondido and back to San Marcos with temps in the mid-90's. Side tendon on left ankle hurting away. A couple of days off the bike now.

Clear skies all day
Hi: 96     Lo: 56
94 miles
-randorides

Shorty & Slim Pickin's On The Road!

Today's route via Garmin Stats

Big heat wave coming and I'm not missing this one, tendonitis or not. Inland HEAT ADVISORY today with highs near 100F. Sounds good to me. I fired up the SOMA and hit the start at 0621. Reese all the way @ 20 cents for me. One bottle loaded and the other with some Gatorade Endurance in it. Stuff is still too sweet for me. I'm riding north under cool temps with arm warmers and a "homemade thermal vest" under my fitting C.A.R.E jersey. 54 degrees actual start temp. Cool riding past a few dog walkers as I turned onto Nutmeg St. The temp soared up to 64F within 100 feet! Must be a temp inversion or the pollution level. Warmer still at the top of Deer Springs but cooled off on the downhill past Lawrence Welk. The road to Bonsall is always cool and it was today too with temps in the 50's along Camino Del Rey. I stopped at AM/PM and got the usual receipt with a head stop.

Must have been a little Santa Ana east wind already for I was cruising along 76 to the SLR at 27mph! I was doing a spin job today to ease up on the left tendon pressure. Didn't have any more gears and time was waning. I wanted to meet up with the OFR Gruppo at Magee at 0830 and it was almost 0800 now. I opted for a straight run along 76 alongside heavy westbound traffic. I was flying and trying to miss the glass and trash. Took Coast Hwy. through Oceanside. 0815 as I noticed several riders cut in ahead of me. It was Dee and Paul, so I hooked up for the ride to Magee Park. Their little gruppo was there waiting... around 7 riders. Didn't see old guy Alan or Kiwi Stu, so I rode south with the other group, chatting along the way. The turned off at LaCosta Ave and were going to some Bakery in Rancho Santa Fe for a snack. Need to find out that place for sure. Took a Advil to ease the tendon effort some and added a little "White Flower" to the leg. Cranked 'er up and hit Swami's on time.

Nice group of 15 riders there. I rolled into the BR and then went over to stretch out. They left in a hurry and I followed along behind chatting with Idaho Dale and Navy Ben. I was just tagging along and holding their draft. They went the coast way through Del Mar and I opted for straight through. I paced along till they caught up just before the SR-56 Bike Path. Al, Jeff and Troy led the way up the path. Soon "Pirate Jimbo" pulled up and we chatted about Bill and Mac's Surf City last weekend. Good job by those guys to finish up. Soon it was Jimbo, me and Troy pulling away up the gentle climb. We did a "box in" Jim so Troy could get around him. Just more fun on the road. They turned to Peet's and I went to Circle K for my receipt.

Bike Lane "DIF"

After my 10 minute stretch out break of IC Sandwich and GU, followed by a bottle refill of iced water, I was good to go. I put the last of the "White Flower" on and spun up Camino del Sur. No one around today so I just spun up the hills. At San Dieguito Road, a girl on a new Obrea carbon pulled in behind me. Mmmmm. She was drafting good till we hit the climb past Artesian Way. She dropped like lead balloon there. Just before the Rancho Bernardo turn I noticed a bottle in the bike lane. I turned around and picked it up. A new bottle of "DIF". I stuck in in my HB bag as Ms. Obrea blasted by, feeling good that she caught me. I chatted at the light, but she didn't have much to say.. just thinking "I'll drop this old dude on a heavy steel bike." Sorry, not to happen even at tendon level today honey. I was stuck to her like glue on the climbs. She was a good rider on a light bike, but didn't have the climbing legs (no def on the calves at all, looked like Sams calves!) She soon cut off onto another road, tired of me.

Took Martinel Road cut off past the Elementary School and on to Bernardo Centre Dr. to the Pedestrian Bridge over Lake Hodges. Temps in the high 90's now. Bike path to El Ku and I thought about the nice Gamble Lane climb and short cut, but opted out for less stress on my left ankle. Had a hot tailwind up Centre City Pkwy. Turned past the Transit Centre and took the Inland Rail Trail back to San Marcos and the cool relief of 7-Eleven!

Look like a 3/5 for me today, finishing up feeling good. Got my Reese Piece receipt and cycled home to near 100F temps with some wind blowing. Looks like a hot one tomorrow and Saturday too! Disappointing day for road trash with only a few caps and panties roadside. I did drop off the DIF spray bottle at the Mule Hill Chevron for someone to use. Guess I did my good deed for the day.

Clear skies all day long
Hi: 90's     Lo: 54 early
81 miles

-randorides

2015 Spring Brevet Schedule Announced... Just Great?

OH MY! Looks like local rando 2015 is for the DIRT

Local RBA Dennis Stryker has just announced via the Rando message board the following:

Here is the schedule for 2015 - it is the traditional start of our year and then a week of riding in March (keep in mind if you want to add rides, we can do so as RUSA rides, but not ACP rides):
Jan. 17 Rainbow 200
March 1 - 200 (Route submitted for approval)
March 2 - 200 & 300 (Route submitted for approval - rider will choose which distance at sign-up)
March 4 - 200 & 400 (Route submitted for approval - rider will choose which distance at sign-up)
March 6 - 200, 400 & 600 (Route submitted for approval - rider will choose which distance at sign-up) 


Mmmmm... let me get this correct:
The earliest full registration date for PBP is June 6th, 2015. Riders can "pre-register" and all that stuff before but still have to have ridden a full SR series in the first half of the 2015 to fully qualify. OK, got it!

Q: So why the rush to do a SR Series the first week of March?

A: Maybe its the frigid March weather in the mtns. that will attract the riders.
A: Ahh, I got it. Some macho rando wants to do the 1500km in a week for practice.
A: The working cyclists can get an additional 10 days off in March.
A: PCH can get more riders for their logical spaced Spring SR Series.
A: SDrados can follow RBA John Ceceri's Adirondack Brevet Week this year which no rider finished!
A: Local randos can get burned out in a March week well before PBP and recover later.
A: Hey, I just want a nice local 2015 SR Spring Series, no PBP for me. WRONG! Go north young man (PCH).
A: It's close to my home in Old Town.

All I can comment on at present is "GO FIGURE"!

This presents a interesting challenge... ride 1500km in a week with no rest days.

Yet to be revealed are the additonal ACP Brevets for 2015. The majority of local randos aren't going to PBP and just want to do a local SR Series throughout the year. More on that later.

I don't know who the RBA's consel is, but obviously they're not your average rando cyclist!

Did I say DIRT FOR 2015?

-randorides