Almost Solo To SJCap

Met Troy Buss at Las Pulgas lot.

Yesterday afternoon, the Magee Park Gruppo (OFR) sent out their route for today. Yep, north to Dana Point. That's a auto Thursday rando ride of Ursa Minor #2084 for me. I quickly emailed several rando buddies, John Fry & Keith Olsen for a meet up. John had his annual Dr. appointment and Keith was a maybe. Haven't heard much from Keith of late.. I figured he was resting up after his OC 600 Brevet a few weeks back OR maybe he was just trying to figure out his new retirement schedule?

Didn't get a early start with the SOMA. 0620 as I left the San Marcos 7-Eleven with econo receipt in hand. Weather was mild enough for just arm warmers. Massive traffic down Del Dios, as usual for this time of weekday. A little earlier OR later and the traffic thins out a lot. Not to worry, wide bike lanes and riding with the traffic. Would be checking out my breathing on the short climbs. Since last spring, when I did the ash ride-in for the Temecula 600, I've had some lingering windage problems.. like you can't get a full lung of air at higher HRates and there is always something forced up. NP when I was at the Dr's last. My diagnosis is asthmatic bronchitis! Of course, I'm an expert at this! HaHa. It comes and goes, but of late, it is starting to clear up.

Made good time over to Solana Beach, where Keith was waiting at the Solana Control right on time at 0720. He looked good in his new green Irish jersey & new pair of SIDI mega size. Quite a shoe and they will last 10 years. We chatted around a bit before riding north for the OFR meet-up at Magee Park. Nice chat and ride up to Swami's. Keith said he shaved his legs when he reached his weight goal of 160lbs! Good job. More to go. Also cleaning out his garage he found all sorts of cycling goodies, including some insoles for his new shoes. Arrived at Magee Park at 0825. Only 4 OFR riders there... they didn't look too happy either.

Seems someone reported high winds up north and they were a little "iffy". After a bathroom hit, we rode northward, leaving the OFR's contemplating a southward journey instead. Riding thru Oceanside, we chatted about planning the AZ ride next week. Yesterday, I had noticed a weather window for the desert... low west winds and temps in the 80's! Keith turned around at the Main Pendleton Gate. Good to chat with him and hear what he's up to of late. I turned to the I-5 on-ramp, past the "NO CYCLISTS" sign. Needed to check out if it was real.

Another heavy day for surfers at Trestles Surf Championships

NO construction or anything else NB up to Las Pulgas Road. Wish they would remove that dated on-ramp sign. At the parking lot, I saw OFR ride leader Troy Buss and stopped for a chat. He was waiting for the group to arrive. Not to be. We proceeded northward at moderate clip talking about a new planned Thursday ride from Orange County back to Oceanside. After a brief stop at the Campground bathroom #1, we encountered no wind at all as we rode north. Big surf championship this weekend at Trestles Beach. All set up and the bike detour was the usual crap-around path. Pleasant riding with the aid of a slight tailwind on the Bike Path to San Juan Capistrano for a stop at Carl's Jr Control. I sneaked over to Micky D's for my $1.18 HFSundae while Troy waited in line. We sat around a while, looking at the people. 20 minutes later, we were on the road again.

Took a different route to the SJBike Path. Wow, they sure need some new wood flooring on that bridge! 15 mph headwind to the ocean. What? A tailwind made easy work of 20mph into San Clemente town. We did the usual "neighborhood" route with all the turns and stops. Police were out in force today! More surfers cycling to Trestles. Guess nobody around here works anymore? Most have the side mount on their old MTB's, but a few have those neat pull-behind single wheel trailers. Stopped at Campground #1 again for a refill. Met a few lonely cyclists fighting the headwind northbound. Troy cranked 'er up to the mid 20's back to the Las Pulgas parking lot. Ate a banana and chatted with Troy while he was loading his car. Perfect play on the wind today... too bad the other missed the fun! I turned left and entered Camp Pendleton.

Stopped by Air Products in Carlsbad to leave John M. a note.

 Most of the construction is completed. Just one traffic wait while chatting with the flagman. 26" water line roadwork is mainly done. Now for the valves and hook-ups. Made good time with the intermittent tailwind. Stopped at Harbor Dr. bathroom and water fill. Roadwork there too.

Opted for a stop at Pacific Cycles on Coast Hwy. to window shop and check out his used dirt bikes. Chatted with a couple of riders on the way southward. Decided to swing over and leave John M. a note on his SUV window at Air Products. Put a rando card and a new NUNN Electrolyte Packet for him. John turned 60 last week and now is chasing me! Left his place and headed east along some odd-ball roads with a bunch of climbing, gaining mileage. Finally made it home with the winds blowing the lite trees around. Good ride today, chatting with Keith, Troy and got in some fast lung clearing work too. Felt much better breathing the last few rides.

Clear skies
Hi: 91     Lo: 52
Wind: NW: 12
124
miles

-randorides

Rincon Del Diablo Wannabe

Theme for the day was WIND

Whenever you ride from the ocean down into the desert, it's nice to check the advanced weather forecast. That's basic stuff, nothing new about that. No problemo. Hi of 88 and winds from the NE@7 in Borrego Springs. Good day for the Rincon Del Diablo Permanent. I made this route up years ago and have never done an info video of the route. Today looked like a good day for the 160 mile jaunt to warmland with clear skies.

Loaded up the lighter Fuji bike with the HERO, slung the Canon around my neck and rode up to the start on Deer Springs. That could be a perfect rando road if it had a bike lane up to the top. Local rando knowledge came into play here, as all the early AM traffic is heading in the other direction. I was sucking wind when I got to the top. Not a good breathing sign for today. Sun was almost coming up as I checked in at the AM/PM around 0600. Iced up the bottles and away I went.

Valley Center Toughrider

Haven't climbed up Old Castle Road in years. Don't go this way much anymore due to getting "brushed" by a Casino bus a while back. Never did liked getting blow-pushed off the road. New road surface now on Lilac Road into Valley Center. Too bad it never got any wider OR new bike lanes. That road is the main route from I-15 to the Valley View Casino near Valley Center and get big traffic at times. Leaving town, you pick up the straight shot section of VC Road toward Harrah's Casino down in the Rincon valley. This road has sucked for years being rough and bumpy.

Bumping alone, I came up on a big red-faced MTB guy riding to work at the VC Middle School. Guy is riding from Brooklyn To San Fran in 3 years time, when he retires! Great news. He will be getting a new pseudo-touring bike for the journey. We said our good-by as I plunged down Rincon Grade. Now this road really SUCKS! Been this way for years. You can't ride in the bike lane because it's full of trash and loose gravel. The road surface gets worse every year with the cracks, bumps and rough surface. Heck, I always take the middle of the lane till the cattle guard. After that it gets rougher with the expansion bumps. Can't wait for a 7-Eleven stop today.

New Hwy.76 resurface: What bike lane?

Nice clean bathrooms in this place. I took a pic for proof. Freebie water and ice with bananas 2 for $1. I was saying 6-letter words bumping along after leaving the stop. Seems to me with all the Casino & Rincon Reservation money plus influence, at least this road should be good. My ass was already hurting and then it happened! Smooooth. Yep! Hwy. 76 has a new surface. Unfortunately, they put a rumble strip on the bike lane side. This leaves little to cycle on. Then add a 6" curb and that spells cycling trouble. The "bike lane" soon narrows to nothing. The good news is that it ends in a mile.

I could feel the headwind already on the way up. I was slogging along, sucking wind and waiting for the S-backs ahead. Always liked that section. Finally made it up to East Grade turn. Stopped by the fence for a blow. Sucked some water and continued on to Lake Henshaw. Been a while since I had to pedal downhill! Time for the drops and grind it out. Almost took out 3 turkeys that flew across the road, just missing me. Those suckers are huge. Made it to Henshaw and pulled around back to Mike Berry's old office. He left a can of beer on the lid! Thanks Mike!

Mike Berry's Henshaw branch office.

Wind was blowing real good by now. It scooted my bike along the store wall. Must really be howeling toward Borrego Springs? Plowing eastward on 76, it was time for a banana. I reached around back to my handy seat bag, unzipped and got my banana. Forgot I put my helmet light in there too and it came out, bouncing along the roadway in pieces. DUH! Stopped, turned around and rode back. OH, OH. Here comes a car and the light is lying in the middle of the road. Pleeeease.... miss it! Whew! Now to find the pieces. 3 AAA rechargeables, light and back plate were scattered along the dirt and grass roadside. For some good reason, I found all the parts and put it back together. One AAA was flattened out a bit. Must be a sign?

Time for a change of plans. Turned up Mesa Grande and ground up the steep part. The wind was blowing good at the top. Stopped at Black Cyn. Road and reflected on the good MTB rando routes that went there. Finally made it into Santa Ysabel against a strong headwind. Don's Market is doing some remodeling inside. No water jugs by the bathroom anymore but the bananas are in the same place. Sat down outside and ate a ice cream sandwich with added GU. Didn't feel that chipper, but awaited the ride downhill. 15 minutes later, I was back on the road.

Great mailbox row near Ramona

The strong headwinds now turned to favorable tailwinds. I was flying along besides the bending roadside grass. That's fun. 40-mph near the Old Julian Hwy. turnoff. Speedo run thru the curves and new vineyards. Power crews were doing replacement lines, so a quick slo-down for the flagman. Decided on a stop at Ramona JIB via the alley way in. Wind was blowing flags straight out here. Sat at the outside tables for a shortie stretch. Temps were near 90 now. Ate a bar and hit the road.

Stopped to take a few pictures along the way. Always liked the line of mailboxes on the dirt side road & especially the professional "RAMONA" artwork sign at Highland Valley Road. Of course, the traditional headwinds were now in effect. More great riding thru the rollers to Bandy Cyn. By the tree nursery, a water pipe rupture started a roadside pond. Sitting nearby, workers in a San Diego Utility truck. No MTB riders around Lake Hodges or the Mule Hill parking lot. Made a short stop at the Chevron for ice refill.

Escondido historical home

Basic stuff now as rode up Bear Valley past the High School and soon turned up the hill on Sunset. Juniper St. is a nice ride past several restored historical houses. Broadway goes straight thru Escondido and I made a dead-meat stop at the Jesmond Dene Park for water. Finally made the climb up JD and cut over I-5 to the Deer Springs AM/PM. Really windy here and I stopped to take a few pics of the fruit stand canopy blowing around. Workers were tying ropes to car bumpers and trees to save it. I was soon off flying down Deer Springs and commuting back home.

This day was a real hum-dinger. I was sucking wind all day. You start out with great expectations and have to alter your plans mid-ride. Guess that what make randoneering so much fun.

Clear skies all day
Hi: 94     Lo: 56
Wind: Strong
114 miles

-randorides

Arizona Dawg

Arizona Dawg Permanent starts in North County and goes to Arizona. Round-trip special

Just approved by RUSA, this new route #2697gives randos living in North San Diego County an opportunity to ride to Arizona without the additional travel down to Dog Beach for a early start. Now group rides to Arizona can have dual start points and meet up near Lakeside for the journey over. Another proven route I've ridden multiple times offers all types of riding from mtn. climbing to desert sand landscape. Designed to be ridden round trip with the return option of riding the Yuma Dawg to Dog Beach! Route can be ridden year-round, but is temp and wind dependent.

This ride was planned for April 18 weekend, but weather forecast in Calexico was for 95 degrees with recent wind advisory. Kudoz to the RUSA Permanents Co-Coordinator Crista Borras who pushed this thru via the local RBA time lapse.

Not listed on the SD Rando Website yet till the route video is complete.

-randorides

Boeshield, Bearing Grease & HR Zone

Electrode gel added to Garmin HR strap

BikeRadar had a nice article on HR Zone training, so I strapped on my soft strap and put in some new 2032 batteries (bought June, 2014) and off I went. Been a long time since I used my Garmin for that. Doing single speed work on the Madison, I chucked my HR strap. You either go or blow on a SS. My Gamin strap never did work that well over the years anyway. I finally ended up using a electrode gel on the pads for contact.

I figured out my max and zones by the new formula explained in the article:
210
minus 1/2 your age
minus (5% of your weight in lbs)
plus 4 (male) or plus 0 (female)
==========
Max HR

Then you use a % basis for the 6 zones.

Ok, I'm all set and the Garmin 500 is tracking HR Ok when I left the house at 0530. I figured a 100 miler to check things out today. Temps were just under 50F, so I put my carry along paper vest under the NCCC yellow/blue/white jersey and pulled up the arm warmers and woolie cap. Double rear blinkies on the SOMA along with my helmet light would suffice. I rode around and noticed the HR at 220 bpm. Mmmm? It started to move up and down when I wandered into Swami's riders later at LaCosta Ave and El Camino Real. Group of about 20 on their Thursday ride. We pushed westward at a brisk pace until I was finally relieved for the turn on Vulcan Ave. Whew! I backed off some and the HR didn't. I did a reset in the Gamin settings, adjusted the strap, etc. Rolled south for the Torrey climb in Zone 2, but the Gamin wasn't co-operating. Did another reset and "search" to no avail and finally bagged the idea. "Not Connected" I'll check it out at home later.

Not to be dismayed, I rode around for a few hours and ended up at the Bacon St. 7-Eleven, where I picked up a Blue Bunny IC Sandwich. Rode over to Dog Beach and sat watching the dogs shit on the beach. Added some GU Lemon/Lime to each bite. Nice lite ocean breeze as I shoved off and took the bike path around Sea World, looped Fiesta Island and made my way toward the Rose Creek Bike Path. Instead I kept going straight over to Pacific Beach. Finally made my way thru LaJolla and managed to find my way back up to UCSD.

Saw some rider trying to catch up on the climb up to Del Mar. Looked like he wore the old Swami jersey. He was working hard and when he got to 50', I jumped on it and raced to the top. We chatted & laughed at the top.
I said "I saw you coming and amped it up a bit. Your jersey looked like a old Swami's one!"
"Ya, you took off and I couldn't catch up."

Great Boeshield T-9 & Park bearing grease

Rode with him at a good pace to Encinitas. His ride was over. I stopped at Nytro for some water. Lid on my bottle was loose as I took a drink. Splash! On my helmet and HB bag. Nice move. Wiped it down and ate a banana. Asked Nytro Mike if they had any Power Core type sleeveless T-shirts. He showed me some loose fitting Craft ones and suggested I check some sporting stores for tight fitting ones. Can do. I've used the Champion Power Core sleeveless black ones from Target for years, but of course they don't have them now.

Next stop was REI over by El Camino Real. Looked and looked for some lite cushion Merino wool crew socks there. Women's sizes were perfect, but nothing in the men's sizes. Spent 20 minutes looking just for those socks. Did pick up some Boeshield and Park bike grease. Rolled out and legs were done from standing around. All climbing now back to San Marcos. Stopped at the new DMV office off Rancho Santa Fe Road to pick up a Drivers Booklet for Zaharah. Place was packed.

Poor HR & wool sock day.
Good lube and riding day.

Clear skies
Hi: 88     Lo: 49
Wind SW-15mph
126 miles

Update:
After the ride, I went home and dug out my old Garmin Strap and sending unit. Added a new battery to the unit, put it on the soft Garmin Strap, rubbed on some Electrode Gel and WALLA! Did a ride on Saturday and it worked like it should the entire route. Removed the battery from the other sending unit and put it away for next time. Looks like next time the HR doesn't work, I'll do the switch-O-roo again!


-randorides

Wind, Heat & Petaluma Cyclist

Lake Wohlford in the early hours

Temps are warming up of late and this week there is a High Wind Advisory for the foothills (wherever that is). Sounds like a good time to ride east! Loaded up the SOMA and left San Marcos before 0600. Traffic was nil thru Escondido and I noticed right away the new road surface on East Mission Ave to Nordhal Rd. Decided to climb up Lake Wohlford instead of the ride thru Valley Center. Not a factor with only 4 cars passing me up the climb. I was still trying to clear my lungs as I passed the Lake. Seemed normal lake level with all the recent California drought. Guns were popping at the Sheriff's Gun Range even at this early morning hour.

For cyclists, the worst major road in the county is still the "Rincon Grade" down to Harrah's Casino. Every year it get worse, even with the great addition of the newish 7-Eleven near the Casino. After a brief stop there to refill bottles with ice, I headed northward in the "bike lane". Every 6 feet there is a big bump from expanded roadway. Now there are chunks busted off and holes there too. I try to ride out in the traffic lane, but this section is really busy. Couldn't wait for the climb up Hwy. 76 to begin.

New road surface for the first several miles. Sound good? Well not quite. They added rumble strips and also a curb. In several spots you have to jump over into the traffic lane due to no where to ride. Also overgrown bushes force you to move left over the rumble strip. Paced my way up in 34T ring for a change. Headwind was picking up on the way to Lake Henshaw. I did stop at the porta-john out back. Nice and clean for a change. You could hear the Forest Service outside speaker nearby talking about the wind warning and fire danger.

Dropped my helmet light on road, just past this sign

Rolling out of the stop, I decided to get a banana out of my rear seat bag. No problem with that while riding, real handy. However this time I also pulled out my helmet light and it went flying down the roadway, splitting in pieces. I did a quick safe turn-around. Saw it lying in the eastbound lane with a SUV approaching! Oh NO! Whew, just missed. I swung over, dropped my bike and went looking for pieces. The main body was OK, but the impact opened up the back panel and batteries. I looked around and found one battery a little flattened. Soon I found the other 2 batteries along the roadside and the back panel too. Lucky stars.

Feeling better now, I made the Mesa Grande climb to winds at the top. Easy pace down the hill and met a strong headwind over to Santa Isabel. Saw another rider in a PI lime green jersey riding around like he was lost. He soon parked behind me at Don's Market. He asked the local grocer about the road to Julian. I listened to the reply. Rider came over and started chatting. I said the road is good climbing with a wide bike lane and he should try it. He was camping up at the Palomar Campground, in from Petaluma, CA. I went inside for a banana. Looks like they are adding new shelves. Filled one bottle with ice and talked some more with the Cannondale rider. Went outside, hopped on the SOMA and I was off into the wind. Temps were in the mid 80's now.

Opted for the 17% climb up Gamble Lane back to San Marcos

It's always a nice fast ride down to Ramona via the Old Julian Highway. Sometimes I mix it up and take Hwy. 78 all the way. Not today. Some power line construction on OJH with several stops. Traffic was almost non-existent both ways. Strong winds from the south into Ramona. I went straight thru town to the McDonalds for my usual HFS and GU on top. Sat outside at a table in the shade. Some young dude was texting on his cell while smoking a cig. Said he rode his MTB down to Miramir last fall. Almost didn't make it back. Too heavy. I gave him some words of encouragement for a road bike. Flags weren't flapping now, they were just straight out! Took off into a loaded headwind.

Wind wasn't as bad as I had expected on Highland Valley Road. Seems it was blowing from the SW. Made good time thru the rollers and down to the river bottom. Not much wind crossing the Hodges Bridge either. After El Ku bike path, I opted for the climb up Gamble Lane. Wasn't too steep this trip, grinding up in 34x28 with a cog left in reserve. Followed the normal route thru Harmony Grove and the business park back to San Marcos.

Clear skies
Hi: 88    Lo: 52
Wind: SW-20mph
99 miles


-randorides

Commute To SDSU-R Recon

MCAS lo-fly zone

Time for a reverse route with picture taking for a YouTube video make up. Got wet thru Rancho Bernardo, clear skies later with strong winds. Got to update my info on the Qualcomm Bike Path and how to reverse route near SDSU. LOL. Did make a RideWithGPS plot using the "reverse route" function in Edit mode. Next time, I'll do a complete reverse re-route instead. Also stopped by Nytro to check see on a new waterproof GoPro case. Rep is supposed to bring one by someday.

A few picture hi-lites of the route.

Lite rain, then clear skies
Hi: 86     Lo: 57 (Garmin)
Wind: W-
87 miles

Qualcomm Bike Path Construction

Bull's BBQ on Morena Blvd

SOMA at SDSU

53x11 red light specialist

Nytro Joe at work

Sandia Meet-Up Ride

2009: NCCC rider Tony Long

Time for some climbing on the Sandia Creek ride today. Saw a whole lot of the fast gruppo from NCCC near Bonsall. Tony Long was tailing along behind and he pulled over for a chat. He said these guys blow red lights like they didn't exist and he is getting "burned out" doing these rides. Also indicated getting back into longer rides like we used to do years ago. Tony was always fun to ride with and has done several local rando routes with us over the years.

Lite clouds
Hi: 77     Lo: 57
Wind: W 7mph
97 miles

Louis Garneau vs Nashbar Shorts

Same Price: LGarneau vs Nashbar

I pulled the last pair of the Performance Ultras out of storage early last year. Down to my last pair from a big discount buy in 2010. Of course Performance doesn't make the same thing now, only some slick, thin and great looking Ultra shorts for $90 retail/$70 discounted. That's a good starting point for my retail price point.

I checked with several riding buddies and they were all over the place on shorts. Most buy retail and were paying $90 - $139. My rando buddy, John M. said his latest versions were well over $100! I also bought a pair of super-discounted shorts at Nytro. Tried them on and took them back. Thick pad felt like a kotex on me. Sorry, maybe next time. Most shorts there were big money.

Pads: Louis Garneau vs Nashbar

I went online checking them out for several weeks. I wanted a good long distance short for a decent price. Aero Tech Designs has some interesting shorts. I ended up at Nashbar! Ordered 2 different pair of cycling shorts, medium size. I'll give them a try and see what develops. Both around $70 retail with different discounts. Both spec'd out good online. Total cost delivered was $77. (No delivery charge for orders over $45). Arrived in 7 days.

Louis Garmeau ProMax II

Louis Garneau Pro Max II     $69.99/$34.85
Nashbar Exclusive
These look good.
Made in China
Grey flatlock stitching with a LG logo on the side.
Blue pad with flatlock stitching around.
High back.
11/2" leg elastic

Poor frayed waistband cut-ins for the drawstrings (took them out).

TAG: (Fabric tag) 
Do Not Soak
Hand Wash In Cold Water
Do Not Bleach
Hang To Dry
Do Not Iron

I wore these one time on the Fix My Bike misc. ride of 100 miles with my normal home-made chamois creme application. They seemed a little tight, but covered the seat OK and felt OK. Followed washing instruction with the exception of machine washing in cold water using Woolite For Delicate soap.

Nashbar S2

Nashbar S2 Shorts     #69.99/$37.34
Nashbar brand
These look good too
Made in USA
Grey flatlock stitching with 2" logo on the leg
Red pad with 2-lines of straight stitching
21/2" leg elasti
Drawstring waistband (didn't use)

Pad seems a little "cottony". Don't think straight stitching will hold up on pad.

TAG: (Paper-like tag) 
Machine Wash Cold With Like Colors
Hang To Dry
Do Not Iron
Do Not Bleach

Wore these on the Coronado XP ride+ of 120 miles. Wide leg band seems to work well. Medium seemed tight too. Pad covered the seat OK. Normal HM Chamois Creme used. Washed with LG shorts using Woolite Delicate Soap.

I doubt that these shorts will last like the the old Performance Ultra Shorts, which I could wear for years. The same price point. They wore out on the inner thigh, rubbing the seat. If I would have cold water washed them and followed the instructions about hang to dry, just think!


April 15, 2015 Followup:

Nashbar easy return pkg. ready to mail!

I returned the Nashbar S2 Shorts (red pad). After 2 washings, the pad was compressed and thinned out. Also my butt  hadn't felt any pad relief during the several century long test rides either.  The stitching, design and fit were all OK. Just the pad was lacking. I exchanged for a pair of Louis Garneau ProFeel 2 shorts+ the shipping charges.

Nashbar makes it easy for you to return items. They include a return sticker with your order, just in case. They also explain the postage options for returning items in a clear and precise manner.

-randorides