I Got Screwed!

I got screwed good before the route started!

My rando riding of late has taken on a sort of rhythm of it's own. Mixing up the ride days and length of routes breaks it up some as last week I did the Rainbow 1.24 on a drizzle Tuesday ( loosing my vest/arm warmers on route and having to retrace miles around Fallbrook to find them), followed by Ursa Minor up to San Juan Capistrano joining the meager OFR part way and then a zesty Walkin' The Dawg down to Ocean Beach on Saturday (included a recon of Sandy's San Diego Top To Bottom Brevet route). Variety is the spice of riding and not getting into a habitual pattern is part of that.


Earlier in the week, I must have slept on the right shoulder wrong and couldn't raise my arm for 2 days! After heat/cold and muscle rub, I can move it some today. ( Had this before, maybe a rotator-cuff thingie)?Today found me leaving the house around 0430 and riding over to San Marcos Ralph's on Twin Oaks Valley Road to pick up some rando supplies on sale. A longer ride was on the board today with a "say hello" to the OFR gruppo at Swami's around 0900. Crossing the Borden Road bridge to Twin Oaks, I heard a "bump-a-bump and came to a sudden halt. Headlamp examination revealed I just got "screwed" good! Picked up a 11/2" screw on the bridge expansion joint. Went in the rear Conti and out the sidewall along the brake surface. Of course it jammed the brakes too!

Screwed that out and walked back home. In the garage, I quickly removed the wheel, tire and then set about filing down the rough-cut wheel braking surface. Some fine emory paper finished off the job. I grabbed a old worn G'skin, checked out the wheel rotation and was soon back on my way to Ralphs again, 35 minutes in arrears.

Quiet, darkish Ralph's in the early hours.

Inside Ralph's at this hour was a little darkish. I managed to pick up some Lemon Balance Bars on sale for $1, a few bags of Cola Blasts (same price) and 2-Cheese Jalapeno Rolls for Zaharah. Dropping them off at home, I was soon back on route at 0630. Time to crank it up.

Blasting down Champagne Blvd., I notice a rider on the other side attempting to turn around. He finally made it and was soon passing me. Biggish guy, Army jersey, on a new Felt B/W carbon bike. I soon pulled up to him and chatted. He lives up the road at Champagne Lakes and has time for a 1-hour ride in the morning beforedrive-commuting to work in Perris. Yes, it's a week old Felt and he doesn't like climbing much. Parted company as I turned on Camino Del Rey westward.

Made a short stop at Bonsall AM/PM to refill with crushed ice. Temps were now already up to mid 70/s. Big line at the register so I wasn't there long. Headed west at an up-tempo with the early tailwind. Made a stop at the Mace Park on College and was soon settled in at 19 mph on the SLR. Took the traditional way by the Oceanside Pier. Not many riders out yet. Swung by Magee Park looking for OFR riders at 0825. Nada. Jumped the Coast Hwy. 101 thru Carlsbad and noticed a rider wriggling around eating a Drumstick Cone ahead.

Rando Keith Olsen in another new dark grey jersey! This guy has more new stuff than Nashbar! We hashed out the latest news. Keith mentioned Mike Shaw is really fired up with idea of a 2015 K-Hound Award! Good stuff. I think Keith is too. Looks like they work good together. We finally caught up to a group of 6 OFR riders as we entered Leucadia. Next up was a stop at Swami's for a regroup.

Nice little group assembled there. John Fry was back riding again and after much anticipation presented his new Lynskey Ti ride with Ultegra components and Cris King Hubs. New things always look so good! Today's OFR ride leader Bruce Tipton started with a short talk on the recent surge of bicycle fatalities. Dr. Dan was telling Keith that he'll give him a free jersey if he takes off his grey one. Guess Dan implied that you need to be seen so you won't get hit! I was handing out cards and recruiting for the rando cause.  After some heated discussion, the group was off southward.

Keith, John Fry and I rode straight thru Del Mar and then up outside Torrey Pines climb. OFR'ers did the Del Mar "neighborhood" and inside of Torrey instead. Time enough for some water and a bathroom break at the top. I was still recruiting for Sandy's Brevet next week. Who knows, might get a few to join in? Chatted to Keith about a possible ride to Tucson late September or early October. Group turned off down to LaJolla Shores, while Keith a and I rode Rose Canyon Bike Path and over to Morena Blvd. Near India Street, Keith turned westward back home and daughters wedding plans for this weekend. Me, I headed up to SDSU.

More road construction in Mission Valley again. I won't come back this way for sure. Temps were in the mid 80's now and looked to be much warmer. After the turn-around, I decided to take the inland way back north. Chatted with a moto rider from Mexico who wanted to know how to get to Pacific Beach. I just said: "Go west to the ocean"! I also tried some fountain Vitamin Water for 99 cents. Sure didn't taste like the bottled equivalent... too sweet for me. Laced a thick Ice Cream Sandwich with a GU, refilled the bottles and headed out.

A little activity at Charger Training Camp today.

Cut off at QualComm and rode the Bike Path/streets past Charger Park. Seems some activity there. Team probably won't be here next year anyway. I could care less, I guess! Kearny Villa brought some tailwinds and little traffic. No riders around as the temps were now up to the mid-90's. I decided to climb over to Poway to check things out. Kept a nice steady pace but finally dropped into the 34T. Still a slight tailwind as my water was gone. No MTB'ers this time of day near Lake Hodges as it was heating up entering Escondido. Recent rains made green grass and trees grow in the lakebed. Made a grateful water stop at Mule Hill Chevron for the cheapest Gatorade they had. Lemon-Lime no doubt. It tasted too sweet for me, but I laced it with water/ice combo.

Garmin read a direct 104 degrees as I turned on Quince Street. Decided on the Escondido Bike Path to Harmony Grove and around thru Elfin Forest and more climbing. Really hot now on the long climb to the Fire Station, but the downhill was really a blast! Rolled into Ralphs for a reward and then back home. Worn rear G'skin made it thru another one!

After a questionable start to the ride day, things smoothed out and I felt good all day. Wore the HR strap for a change and was able to get a accurate calorie count.

Clear to partly cloudy skies
Hi: 104     Lo: 68   Avg: 82.9 (Garmin)
Wind: SW: 13 mph
123 miles
2348 Calories



Boot-Up!

MTB 29'r sidewall boot in place

The set of G'skin HARDSHELLS I was currently using was part of an accurate documentation of mileage test. The mileage to date was 4327, with rotation every 1000 miles. Since there was a lot of visible mileage left on the set, I decided to continue the test. This necessitated me making up a boot from a MTB 29'r flexable sidewall and carefully prepped the inner surface. After adequate drying time, I powdered down the tube and boot before installing.

Booted HARDSHELL back on rim

Initially, there was a mini-wobble at the boot spot, but this lessened over usage. I placed the boot even with the kevlar bead (on the inside and didn't interfere with the hook bead to the rim).  The goal is to reach 6000 miles from this set without a whole bunch of flats, etc.










-randorides

Crusin' The Detour - Quad Perm.

Q-Perm: A new term? Not really. That's when you do 4 Permanents in a row. A few years back, I used to do this quite regularly.. bang off one 200K after another. Three, four, five.. no problem. Just go and ride. Drag your ass out early and just start peddling. Climb, flat, desert or mtns., didn't make any difference. Wipe your chain, add lube and you're good to go. Get the waivers in early and try to sort the receipts somehow.

UNO

Crop dusting helo left me wondering...

Yesterday (Monday) I started my July Quad Quest.  Oh, yeah, I was after it with a modified Sandia Creek Century route. Modified? Yep,  throw in boo-ku climbing Circle K, Lilac, Cooser and Rice Canyon on the way to Temecula. Started out well enough till I got to Rice Canyon climb. My stomach was growling and I had to GO! Helicopter up ahead doing something. I'll check it out. Just great.. crop dusting by the road. Thanks as I stopped, covered my nose and watched the action ahead. Malathion? I finally made it to Rainbow Community Park and did my business. Didn't feel that great now, but kept plugging along. Thanks for the poison, helo! Chatted with a older rider on Rainbow Cyn. Blvd. All he did was complain about how old he was, his replacement knee and how slow he was. I amped it up to distance him.

Rancho California Road still has road construction. No fresh tar, but instead one way traffic. Flagman waived me on into oncoming traffic. Thanks dude! Managed the other rollers in due order. Construction at Bonsall McDonald s. Ended up sitting outside in the shade eating my melting choc sundae. Finished up the bonus route...finally. Prep the bike for tomorrow's ride. One down, three to go.

Overcast early, clear later
Hi: 76     Lo: 66 (Start Weather)
Wind: W-10mph
121 miles


DOS

Performance classic knit gloves

I'm heading north today. Heck, got up early, made the smoothie and packed things up. I'm outta here heading for the OC. Ride north from Oceanside via I-5 in the dark was no easy matter as usual. "Shoulder Closed Ahead" was the first indication. T-Rails isolated the shoulder from the travel lanes. I stopped and hopped over for safe travel to the Rest Area. Further north, several spots where I had to veer a bit to get by.  Las Pulgas offered sanctuary. and a little crusin' time.

San Onofre Campground was 2/3 full. All sleeping still. Carl's Jr. offered some water and ice for the ride up to Newport Beach. Same busy traffic down thru Laguna by the Main Beach Park. After the road opens up and I met a few riders along the way. Full sun as I left the clean Newport Chevron and followed the paths inland. Hooked up with some guy who I noticed wore those classic Performance Crochet Gloves. Said this was his last pair and couldn't get them anymore. I used to wear those to keep my tire brush in!

Later on noticed the "Peters Cyn. Bike Path Closed 7/14-8/18" sign. Asked another rider about that and he didn't know much either. Made good time on the climbs up to Chevron/Subway at Jamboree/Santiago Cyn. Limited my break to 10 minutes, while I filled my bottles and got a Levita Biscut for receipt. A few MTB'er around.

Yesterday's fire closed Santiago Canyon Road.

Santiago Cyn. road has another "Road Closed" sign. Noticed a rider coming my way. I rode up a few miles to the barricades. Big guy said "closed" due to yesterday's fire. I tried to bribe him with a biscuit, but to no avail. Turned around back to Jamboree. Retraced my track back to San Diego Bike Path, where I turned East instead of heading back to the Ocean. Made my way to Irvine and followed Aliso Creek South Path and finally to Dry Creek Path to Dana Point. I think there were 4-11% climbs in there somewhere.

Touring rider from Germany ask for camping directions. Showed him the way thru Dana Point and on to the Doheny  Campground for his hiker-biker rates. He said he was out of money and would be flying back to Frankfort on Sunday from San Diego. This guy was young, fast and had a older steel fendered bike with DT shifters. Started on the east coast and rode to Washington State, then down the coast to San Diego. Wasn't using the Adventure Cycling Maps, as they were too expensive. I concur. Said he was riding alone. After leaving him at the campground, met another loaded couple at the "San Onofre Campground" They were also heading to San Diego. More of a "credit card" tour for them. Finished off the route with a receipt in Oceanside and a ride back home via Palomar Airport Road. I was all over the place today.

My chain was making a little noise, so I'll have to take it off and do a real super cleaning on it for the next ride. In addition I'm still shot from Mondays Malathion ride. I'll need to get some of that stuff the Tour riders take.


Clouds early, followed by sunny skies
Hi: 87     Lo: 64
Wind: W-10mph
129 miles


TRES

Madison SS for today's Permanent

Chemicalized but not out yet, today looked like a good go for the Madison SS. Also the OFR gruppo was heading inland over past Peet's Coffee and I might hook-up with them to say "hello". That calls for leaving San Marcos before 0600 and I was up for it. Got up plenty early and hung around too long. Even after stretching and stuff, still felt like I had brakes dragging as I plodded up Old Hwy. 395 to no early traffic. Had changed the front chain-ring on the SS to a 42T for a little easier climbing with the 16 cog in the rear. Over the years, I've collected various ring sizes to accommodate different routes.

Still construction at the Bonsall MickieD's so I got a 30 cent Snicker at AM/PM next door. Planned on stopping off at Busseys Auto to chat with Dan Phillips on the way to the coast. Pulled up on a recumbent tri-cycle and started chatting with the rider as we entered the SLR Bike Path. Seems he hurt his back in 04 and was on $$isabiliby lying around on the couch eating donuts for years. Got up to 290lbs before he had a stroke in April. Lost gobs of weight and cycles every day around 30 miles. Age of 59 and is around 200lbs now. Likes the tri-cycle because it's fun and drivers give him lots of space while passing. Said there was a shop in Escondido on Mission Rd. that does recumbent stuff. Left him as I exited the Bike Path in O'side. No time to stop at Dan's shop today.

Nice OFR Gruppo leaving Swami's Park

Rolled into the Magee Park bathroom for water and then met up with Paul N. and Judy F. Kiwi Stuart just left riding ahead. Chatted with them as Judy set a fast 18mph pace down the coast. I was spinning real good. Quite a group of 8 riders at Poinsettia Lane as we rolled southward.

I pulled over to help a hard body on the roadside near LaCosta Ave. Of course Paul pulled over too. Seems her chain dropped and did a double wrap around the BB of her new looking Cannondale Carbon ride. Driveline was a black gumbo mess, so Paul took over and got his hands nice and greasy while pulling and pushing the chain. I wouldn't touch that method with a carbon frame and offered a chain tool. Paul finally gave up and the girl said she had a car coming for pick-up. Good idea!  While leaving I mentioned she might solve future problems by cleaning her chain. I'm sure that won't happen soon.

Me and Judy Frankel on SR-56 Path

Big group at Swami's. Had a little chit-chat before riding south. Crankin' hard up thru Del Mar before a regroup at the start of the SR-56 Bike Path. Correct gearing for those lesser climbs as I kept the cadence up. Turned up Black Mtn. Road to their snack stop. Said "adios" and headed north on Black Mtn., before turning onto Carmel Valley and Dove Cyn. into Rancho Bernardo.

Picked up a receipt near RB at a new 7-Eleven. Couple of MTB'er near Lake Hodges made me think of Ham Hock Trail rides. Took the Inland Rail Trail alternate south route and met a older Euro interested in the TdeFrance. We chatted all the way to Hale Street about all the drugs they take! I left and rode the Barham route over to Ralphs near CSUSM  Parked the bike inside the cool store with my helmet lock method and browsed around for energy bar sales. 10 for $10 was the deal on Balance Bars today. Got a few things and bagged them up thru self-check out. Still had a few miles to go before calling it a day.

Clear mid-morning
Hi: 95     Lo: 62
Wind: W-12mph
101 miles


CUATRO 

I was looking for a treat at Winchell's

I'm rolling at 0300 today. 50% chance of showers, wouldn't that be nice? Double tail lights and just a Dorcey headlamp. Arm warmers came off after my receipt start at 7-Eleven. Great riding, cool weather with no traffic as I crossed Lake Hodges on I-15 (pedestrian bridge wasn't open yet). Put in some extra miles eastward and finally ended back on Poway Rd. where I noticed a Winchell's Donut place. Hey, I remember them from the old days. Good stuff? Time for a treat! Pulled in to darkness with a cutie gal behind the counter. Chocolate was on the menu today for me. All I could taste was the dirty oil they fried it in as I pedaled westward. Guess I must have been thinking of "Dunkin Donuts" instead! On Sabre Springs Road I was wondering where Tony Long (NCCC) lives. He used to do rando rides with us and when I last chatted with him, he was hoping for some more long stuff after his broken clavicle last year.

On the SR-56 path I thought I saw some lightning down south! Must have been my headlamp reflection. Came upon a firm body and asked if she was on lightning watch. Yes, she saw it too. It was starting to get a little light now and I could make out rain showers heading my way. I clicked it up a notch to beat the "strike"! By the time I got up to Del Mar I was wet and thunder was booming all around. Time to pull over just past Starbucks. No other riders on the road now. I waited it out for a while while the bad stuff cleared and then headed north on white roads.

This roadie know how to ride in the rain!

Encinitas had the most standing water and by Oceanside the rain had went NE toward San Marcos. I wonder if the NCCC are riding today? Stopped at Circle K for a "proof of passage" and hit the SLR to little traffic. Finally, my old buddy Wally Pistone came up. We pulled off at the Skate Park and chatted some. He just retired from teaching at Palomar College and rides with the Swami "B" group. He likes the Fiesta Island TT stuff. Wally was always thin and fit looking and now with his new green/white carbon ride he is fast too.

I was planning on finishing up the ride before 1100 to catch the NBC version of todays Tour Stage, so I continued east with heavy legs. Made the turn to San Marcos and could see the next storm approaching. I was looking for cover as I felt those big cold drops.... made it to a roadside shed just in time before it cut loose. Ten minutes and I was back on the wet road with both blinkies full on. Managed to sneak back home before the next one arrived. Actually the cool damp ride felt good today! Now to clean the bike for the next route.


Cloudy, rain, lightning
Hi: 76    Lo: 68
Wind: S-5mph
97 miles

Coronado Training Ride

$4.75 trip on the Coronado Ferry

After starting out July with a big "bang" on the 1st with the University Loop Permanent, followed by a Fourth Of July Populaire and a recovery shortie, it was time for a post up ride on the 9th (Thursday). I got beat up bad on the Madison SS with the wrong gearing (or lack of legs) last week on the University ride and now for some easier training miles along the coast.

Posted this route up earlier in the week on the sdrando board, and got a few replies. Doug Church from Riverside wanted to "Metro" it down for the 0745 start time in Oceanside. He later emailed me to say he didn't make it due to overextending on his last rando route. Keith Olsen usually show up for this route too. OFR riders would be doing Coronado from Swami's also. Looks like some good camaraderie here.

Took the Sprinter Train over to Oceanside, arriving at 0726. Hit the bathroom and then over to Circle K for a pre-start receipt. Keith was waiting at the Pier in his newish black checkerboard jersey. Rode around a bit looking for pick-ups and left on time at 0745. Weather report said big chance of coastal drizzle so I packed my vest and arm warmers on my front HB bag. They missed that one again, as it was partly cloudy on our way southward. Just more weight to lug around and stuff to loose roadside.

Debarking Ferry at Coronado

Stopped at Swami's for water and the OFR Gruppo was waiting to leave around 0840. Quite a group of 21 riders with 6 ladies included! Said our hellos and local chit-chat on the way to Torrey Pines, where Keith and I paced up the outside in good rando style. Hit the water and bathroom at the top while regrouping. Chatted with a rider on a Soulcraft/Brooks Saddle... good rando material and said I would give him a rando card at the ferry. ( Guess he turned off somewhere; he wasn't on the ferry to Coronado.

Keith was off the front with no mirror thru UCSD and Rose Canyon. Group split up on Mission Bay Drive. I took the safer Rose Creek way and ended up with Paul Nevin on his new Kona CX bike. Met the Gruppo at the MB bathrooms and rejoined forces before Old Town. Randos took the straight shot on PCH while the others did the Old Town route to Washington St. Never saw them again till we got down to the Broadway Ferry Ticket Kiosk.

The whole group loaded on the Ferry and enjoyed the view across. I noticed two other larger ferries I hadn't seen before. Must be for the Comic-Con crowd this weekend. Bruce Tipton had a low tire and borrowed Troys Lenzyne pump. He aired it up and while unscrewing, also screwed out the valve core! He borrowed another pump and finally got the job done. A few crackers, banana and lots of liquid, we finally debarked on Coronado. Keith stopped on the pier to chat with a old buddy from the County Assessor Office. This guy was a little heavy, like Keith used to be. (Good job Keith losing gobs of donut weight!). Group hit the bathrooms and I filled up my bottles at the local BBQ place.

Sunny day on Bayshore Bikeway

OFR Gruppo were going to the Burger Haven so we bid "adios" and motored along the busy Coronado Strand. SoonNice place to drop a load! Keith was leading along the Bayshore Bikeway  around the Bay. Keith needed a longish bathroom break at the Frontage Road Porta-Pottie and noted no more double breakfast for him!


We finally made our way to the Control Stop at AM/PM-JIB on Roosevelt Street. Girl tried to charge me for ice and I said I would "put it back"! Sat outside and watched the pan-handlers. We took Harbor Drive instead of the back way to downtown San Diego. Seems they added a 3/4 mile of isolated bike path almost to NASCO. Unfortunately it was the same mess after that... crap bike lane, rough roads and massive car parking. We finally arrived at Comic-Con.

A new Comic-Con hero?

I luv to see all the people energy around the Convention Center. Yes, heavy traffic was controlled by officers while we had a chance to observe all types of costumes. What a huge impact on the local economy! Slight headwind now as we traversed northward. Chance to get in some hill "training" by cranking it up at every opportunity... Scholar Dr., climb to Del Mar and every other bump along the way to Oceanside. Picked up a slo leak early in the rear worn-out Gatorskin, but kept rolling anyway. Had about 20 lbs left at the Circle K finish! Gingerly rode it over to the Transit Center where I bid "good ride" to Keith.

Walked over to the next Sprinter Train headed eastward. Got off at San Marcos and gave the rear tire a quick CO2 shot. Now with full air, I cranked er up for the ride home. Next day found the culprit: small piece of green glass. Time for those corded G'skins to retire.

Partly cloudy early, clear later
Hi: 75     Lo: 67
Wind: W-12mph
103 miles

-randorides

Mystery Package!

Mystery package at the door. Thought it was from COX!

I was catching up on some reading the other day (Max Hastings INFERNO) and heard a knock at the door. I figured it was Latter-Day Saints doing their usual thing, so I let it go. Later-on found a package. Rather heavy for a small box, so instantly figured it was another modem/battery pak from COX Communications. Zaharah said it was from Randonneurs USA. Had to check that out.

Much to my surprise it was a well packaged GALAXY AWARD. Solid glass with precise etching. It's an award for riding 100,000km in certified RUSA routes. I thought the whole thing was very professionally presented and done. Never was much into plaques, awards and such, but this was a very nice indeed. Also in the mail was a Certificate from RandonneursUSA. I decided to take a few pictures to share and for posterity sake.

Great looking GALAXY AWARD. Etching to match!

RUSA GALAXY AWARD with Certificate

MONDIAL and GALAXY Awards

Much thanks to all the local randonneurs for their support and motivation thru-out the years AND to RUSA for this fine award!

-randorides