Eleven City Loop...Rain Delay!

Eleven Cities Loop route

Often times when I submit a route to RUSA (Randonneurs USA), I'll make up a pre-ride route video and send in along with the application, cue, map, etc. I feel it gives the route checker a heads up on what the route is really about. I've done that with several dirt applications and they got a kick out of it, so what the heck.

I was working on a short Populaire of around 65 miles, which did the "square loop" thing, but the furthest north it went was San Marcos and Palomar Airport Road. I checked my old files and found 2 which were close.. one was a short Loop from the faulty "Brevet Week-2015. The other was Steve Elliott's Square Deal. With similar routes already on the books, this should be a no-brainer! Different controls, San Marcos start and a better overall route. With my local trick-shot street knowledge, this was a slam-dunk. Now time to make a pre-ride informational video.

With the route finished on RWGPS (Ride With GPS...online route maker) and all packaged up, I sent it over to Crista Boras at RUSA the other day. Now for the video stuff. The weather has been a little "iffy" of late (for SoCal), so I just decided to go today. Waiting till the early temps were in the hi 40's I was off around 0900 to partly cloudy skies and no rain in the forecast today. One short, one long sleeved underlayer beneath my generic $10 blue Performance Bike jersey tooped off with a pair of arm warmers and my wool knee-hi blue socks. Matched the jersey, of course! Also along was my woolie hat and my back up well worn blue doo-rag.

Old man by the sea

Cycling southward to the start at Ralph's near CSUSM, I figured this day could be along one with the cool headwind from the SE. Took a few shots of Ralph's and hit the route. Had two cameras along this trip: CanonA1100 Power Shot and mounted on the HB was the GoPro. Be taking a lot of video shots this trip.

Made good time the back way via Discovery St to San Marcos Blvd. Then off to the races on Palomar Airport Road. First stop was a the neat Chevron near the Flower Fields. Handy stop with same side location and easy exit. I was flying now  as I crossed over I-5 & the RR Tracks. Made the loop to southbound 101 and picked up a noticeable headwind. Time to stop for a few ocean shots. Also managed to get in most of the State Beaches on the way to Leucadia.

Winner Cadel Evan 2012 tour bike

The route included the normal traffic bypass in Encinitas and today was my usual stop at Nytro to fill up with water. Just in time as the big drop sprinkles were starting to fall. I was soon off to Swami's looking for surfers. No one out today, but lots of dudes watching the water. Never figured out what they were watching, but took some pictures of a few hard-bodies stretching out by the railing.

Proceeded southward under partly cloudy skies now and did manage a photo stop into Revolution Bike, where I tightened my GoPro mount with my handy multi-tool Phillips driver. Took a look at several of their Salsa Fargo bikes too. Can't do business with them with their paltry $10 new bike discount! Time for the Del Mar bypass route. I managed to sneak behind 2 riders and followed them around the alleys and finally back onto Coast Hwy. again. Of course the GoPro was doing it's thing. I cut off onto Carmel Valley while my 2 new buddies were heading for Torrey Pines.

Hard-bodies stretch at Swami's

Turning onto Sorrento Valley Road, the sun was out and it was starting to reach 60 degrees. Control is at Performance Bike, so I stopped and took a few pics. Also did some lookie-loo shopping inside. Not much going on there. After the turn onto Sorrento Valley Blvd., I stopped off at "North Of The Border" Bike Shop. Of course they were closed for Black Friday! Started the 10% climb as the dark clouds were building. That sucker is at least a mile long and eased off a bit after that. Capricorn Way runs thru a residential neighborhood and has speed bumps every 300 meters. By the time I turned onto Black Mtn. Road it was starting to rain.

I pulled off under a big sidewalk tree and put on my arm warmers. Also up to my knees were the woolie socks now. Still light rain as I started the 8% climb up Mercy Road toward Poway. Felt good to warm up. More climbing  in the 3-4% range with the cool reward on a fast downhill to the Chevron Control at Pomerado Road. Rain was starting to thump down good now with the sky getting real dark. Filled my bottle with water, added some powder and after a few shots, off I went. Passing thru Poway town, the car splash was making a mess out of riding. I finally pulled into a roadside park bathroom and rounded up some plastic bags from the trash. One over my HB bag and one inside my jersey. I'm toasty now.

Wet Pomerado Road in Poway

I waited around for 10 minutes till the rain eased a bit. Then northward on Pomorado. Hit one more heavy shower before turning on the Pedestrian bridge over Lake Hodges. Chatted with 2 MTB guys there riding 26". Said they didn't get as wet today as I did! Rode by the North County Mall to lines of cars. A Black Friday thing again? Rain was all gone with my turn off Beethoven onto the Bike Path and up El Ku to Escondido.

At Felicita, a roadie with his 29'er buddy went by at a good clip. I jumped on and away they went. 23 mph with the knobbies singing a song. That dude was strong but I had their number today. My turn was at 5th St. so I said "thanks" and away I went channel hopping on the Bike Path westward. The route does the normal Harmony Grove to Kauana Loa and then Country Club to the Business Park. Light traffic on Barham Dr. took me into the finish as black clouds were building around north Escondido. Pulled into Ralphs, took a few pics of the pies and away I went. No rain caught me on the way home this time.

Casual MTB'ers at Lake Hodges

Checking the 90 pictures and 75 videos, looks like I'll have enough good stuff to make up a Informational Video for YouTube.

Route Video


Partly cloudy to rain
Hi: 69    Lo: 51
Wind: SW 9mph
73 miles

-randorides

Mike's Ride... Coronado XP

Route for Mike's retirement ride today

After decades of hard work at HP, rando and NCCC cyclist Mike Shaw was hanging up his tools. Yep. This was his selected route for the "retirement" ride. Mike not only was on target for his P-12 &R-12 RUSA Cycling Awards this year, he also was stepping into the den of the K-Hound (10,000km + of documented RUSA routes) this week! Nice job Mike.

Daytime weather had been warming up of late, so I rechecked the Underground Weather site and it said 49F leaving San Marcos with hi today along the coast of lo 80's! November in San Diego again. I rolled out before 0530 with just arm warmers and a vest over the RUSA jersey with a sleeveless under-layer.  Camera hanging from my neck and I managed to lock on the GoPro to the handlebars just in time. HB bag stuffed with a few gels and bars, along with my usual banana and half-dozen pretzel crackers laced with cashew butter. A few scoops of Infinit in my bottle and I was good to go.

A few riders at the Oceanside Pier start

A little nippy with the sunscreen cooling off my legs as I made my way toward the coast. Took Palomar Airport Road to miss the colder temps on northern bike path to Oceanside. Blinkie guarding behind and my removable $12 Dorcey headlamp blazing the road ahead. Pulled into a vacant Oceanside at 0640 and rolled over to see Keith Olsen at his "office" in the Transit Station parking lot. We cycled over to Transit bathrooms & then Circle K to "ice up".

Mike Shaw, Sandy Aniya, Dan Phillips, Bill Stevenson, Mel Cutler were waiting for us at the Oceanside Pier. John Fry came rolling in a few minutes later. Hector Maytorena hadn't arrived as Mike lead us out southbound at 0700. Of course, the first few miles were dedicated to stories of rider achievement and great things of late! Pace picked up as we doubled up for the pleasant ride along the coast to Encinitas. Short stop at Swami's added a few more riders.

Banana fest at the top or Torrey Pines!

Phil Auchter and Ken Hartman joined up there. Phil is along time NCCC rider and needs to get his LHTrucker back on the long rides again. Ken is a OFR rider, just back from his Border To Border West Coast ride in September. Southbound in short-order, more riders just ahead. Rando Jim Wisener set up for the Cardiff riders to join up near the Surfer Kook. Group was now approaching 20 riders. PBP rider Mac IMacseng hooked up in Solana Beach and NCCC climber Tony Long was waiting after Del Mar. Torrey Pines climb was interesting as the gruppo stretched out. Banana fest ahead!

Water and bananas at the top for us. In the rando recruiting mode, I handed out a rando card or two there. 10 minutes and our large group was up to pace speed thru UCSD campus. Way ahead of schedule to catch the 1000 ferry to Coronado, we didn't let a few red lights bother us. Boys were crankin' it up down Rose Canyon. Welcome red light at Damon/Mission Bay Dr. brought the group back together again. Hector had hammered hard from Oceanside and was not with the group.

Ferry mate forgot the side panel. Walk-off!

No traffic to speak of on the Mission Bay Dr. mess before we cruised past the kite-flyers near the bay. Old Towne was another welcomed non-traffic event and soon we were in downtown San Diego. Revised route took Hawthorne St. and on to the waterfront in short order. Mike led us right to the ticket booth. $4.75 now for a one-way with bike. Rando guy Dave Horwitt with surfing shorts,  was waiting there for us with his flat tire. Perfect timing for his upcoming on-board tire repair!

I did manage to get a few good shots of riders boarding the ferry. Only a single carbon-orange Orbea and one fat bike on-board. The 300 lb. owner was having a good time chatting with several slim-fit riders on board. With a few strollers and all our bikes, the lower lever was packed now! Good time for some walk-around photos and topside videos.

Rando legend Tim Sullivan in Coronado

I noticed the mate only attached a chain across the port entrance & forgot to lock in the panel. Someone warned the near-by mother with children as I ventured upstairs to tell the captain about his inept crew. Back to normal, I walked around taking a few videos of passing sailboats. Calm bay and approaching Coronado made for some good shots. Once on dry land again, rando legend Tim Sullivan met us as we regrouped by the bathrooms. Tony found the single faucet that had cold water and I waited in line. Bottles filled, we mingled around a bit before Tim led us around his home turf to the Bayshore Bikeway.

Paceline and 20mph were the norm now, as the group split up in three. I was settled in with Dave and Tony, snapping pics as I dodged oncoming riders. One group took off the front wickedly-split like and the rest of us finally made the transverse near the salt ponds. More hi-speed riding along the east-side frontage road, as I hooked up with Sandy, chatting about a hike-a-bike campground in Yuma. Sandy's has ties there with his family and knows the area well. (Good info for a future rando dirt route).

Riders mob Jack-In-The-Box

After several regroups we were all together again before crossing Harbor Dr. The Cardiff boys headed north for their break bayside in San Diego and randos went to the listed JIB Control in National City. Mel, Hector, Tony & I hit the AM/PM, while others mobbed the JIB next door. I opted for a over-priced ice-cream sandwich and filled my bottles with water & ice. Later we went over to JIB to join the mayhem there. Shakes were popular and several had the full meal deal. Finally we were ready to roll. Mike led out on the backway thru Barrio Logan, missing the worse roads along Harbor Drive.

Slight headwind as we crossed the rail-yards to downtown. Mobs of people at the Convention Centre today as we waited patiently at a red light. Ahead, a rear end'er headlined a grey car buried under a SUV! All the police red-lights brought us into single file skirting the accident.

Pedestrian traffic @ Convention Center

Dave Horwitt left us at Washington Street to climb homeward. Rando pace-line developed past SPAWAR with the slight headwind. Sandy decided to drop off at Old Towne and grab a train northward. We made quick work of the packed parking areas around Mission Bay and soon Mike led us to the Rose Creek Bike Path. Lumpy-bumpy time.

This optional way vs the cue sheet is a little longer, but much safer than the merging traffic from right off I-5. The turn onto Santa Fe brought only a tiny headwind and the Cardiff boys again! Seems Randy had a flat and the other stopped to check out his tire-changing technique! Climbers Mac, Bill & Wild Animal Park Tony had ants in their pants on the gentle climb up Rose Canyon at 17mph. Looked like Mac was in PBP race mode now. I was latched-on taking pictures. Gilman Dr. climb brought more speed as calmer heads prevailed with a regroup near the UCSD entrance. Mac & Bill decided to go straight thru campus for a bathroom break. Others followed cue and slugged up Scholars Dr.

Cardiff group helps Randy tire repair

I followed Hector down Torrey and stopped with WAP Tony at the bottom. It was back on the bike path to Poway and home for him. Work tomorrow feeding the cheetahs at the Park. Hector led out thru Del Mar, with Keith, me and Mike in tow. John Fry was wondering where his buddy Ken was and pulled up to wait. Cold water at Nytro was on order now, as Mike, Hector, Keith & I made the stop. Soon, we waived as Ken, John & Mel rode by. We were off on the chase for a regroup now.

If there was a red light, we hit it. Leaving Encinitas, we came upon 2 hard-bodies cruising along at 17mph. These gals had the shorter-shorts on and were returning to Mission Viejo. After chatting a bit, Keith picked up the pace and they followed. We were in hot pursuit of John Fry far ahead. The younger hot-dog gal was doing her thing to drop Keith & I as we sped up the coast. Hector was behind trying to rando-recruit the other gal. The little dip-climb up to Palomar Airport Road brought hard-body out of the saddle one last time trying to drop us for good. Sorry, not to be today as she cracked and sat down as we passed. On Tuesday's ride we encountered the same thing, but with the USD cycling team boys. Practice paid off this time!

Keith, Mel, Mike, Hector & John at finish

More race-pace now as we could see John's yellowish jersey ahead as we caught every red-light. Finally, in downtown Carlsbad, we were together again to the finish. Hard-body was singing away as John was a little puzzled? Keith, John, Mike, & Hector all pulled into the Pier finish nearly together. Mel came in a short time later. Bill was much later, as the UCSD stop with Mac dropped them off pace..

I rolled over to Circle K for a ice-only refill and then sped over to Keith's office in the Transit Parking lot. Keith is our  official supplier of after-ride recovery kicker: Ensure. He poured a bottle over the my ice and after a short chat, I was off to San Marcos with enough daylight left for no-headlamp required.

Good turn out for Mike's retirement route. Got a few of the Cardiff riders in there and some NCCC riders too! I handed out some rando cards so all was well. Weather was perfect with only a light breeze today with temps in the 80's along the coast. Hard to beat a day on the road like this!

Mike enjoys his retirement at Nyto stop!

Mike's Retirement Ride Video


Clear skies all day
Hi: 85     Lo: 49
Wind: WNW @6mph
137 miles

-randorides 

Crusin' The OC-bp Training Ride

Crusin' Route we rode today with additional bike paths

Checking the local Mesowest Weather Station across the street, outside temp was 43F! That's cool around here, so I layered up with a long sleeve breathable under my SD Rando wool ss jersey, topped off with my  homemade reflective vest. Knee-hi wool orange socks (Sam says you have to look good, so the socks matched my jersey), knee warmers & woolie hat completed my wardrobe for today. Hi in the mid 70's up in Orange County, so layers would strip off and pack on my hb bag. I was off well before 0500.

Decided to take the early Sprinter train over to Couch St. and then I rode around to loosen up on the ride to the Oceanside start. I was the only biker in the train-car, so I had a great chance to do all my stretches where it was nice and toasty. Cut it close to the 0600 start, as Keith Olsen, Mike Shaw and John Fry were waiting at the Circle K. I jumped inside and looked for something cheap for a proof of start. Mini-Snicker bar it was. Some homeless dude was there talking about the pre-Obama unemployment of 12% and it's only 5% now. Keith and I were going to straighten this liberal out, but we had to get started. Mike said it was in the mid 30's on the San Luis Rey Bike Path. I felt warmed up already! We were off at 6:03, riding north on Coast Hwy. toward Camp Pendleton under clear skies with the sun just peeping up in the East.

Heavy traffic at the Main Gate, so we slid over and got ID checked thru quickly. Stuart Mesa turn brought us into a warm up climb. It was heating up real fast. Mike & I  talked about headlamps and rechargeable batteries on the way thru the Base. Keith was off the front in sprint mode. Before the final short climb, a barrier and armed Marine said we couldn't go thru. We mentioned we had before and he radioed in to base. OK, one-way traffic coming our way. Las Pulgas Gate closed to outgoing traffic until 0800. We got the wave thru and were soon at the Las Pulgas parking lot, where new rando-wannabie Ken Hartman was waiting. Off came the layers here.

Salt Creek Bike Path skirts golf course

A little mud in the tunnel, which built up on my front brakes. Next time I'll go thru the water instead of the mud. DUH! We made good time up the bike path and into San Onofre Campground, chatting all the way. Few surfers near Trestles this morning as we climbed over to Carl's Jr for a water refill. Around 7:45 we rolled north through San Clemente town and on to Dana Point. Hopefully, we might meet up with a few OFR riders at 0830. Had to amp it up to 19mph on the side path and into Doheny Park. Met a few OFR riders near the Golden Lantern St. parking lot. Hit the bathrooms and Keith changed his lenses.

We took the steep Cove Road, while the OFR sauntered up Golden Lantern. A few bike paths later, we did a regroup near Sea Terrace Park. Larger group now  of 13 riders as we headed inland on Salt Creek Bike Path, Laguna Niguel Park, Aliso Creek BP and others with a stop at JIB in Laguna Hills for a welcome refill. Garmins work well here with the various turns and many bike paths.

Laguna Hills: Sulfur Springs Reservoir

A little road riding toward Irvine as we made our way to the San Diego Bike Path, now making our way NE. Several shifts across the SD Creek Channel and some great path features finally brought us to Harvard Dr. where we are back onto streets again. Our normal turn onto Peters Canyon Bike Trail was fenced off, so Mike showed us a straight detour route to pick up the BP down the road. A little confusion, as several Garmins didn't like the detour.

Soon we were back on the marked Peters Cyn. Trail with a loop over Bryan St and onto the Irvine Trail. We took this up to Jamboree Rd. Two short 6% climbs and it was time for some lunch at the Chapman Chevron & Subway. Most were hitting the subs, while Keith opted for a pre-made packaged sandwich. I searched around for something cheap and ended up with a single Belvita Bar. I carried along the rest of my lunch. Several bottle refills and we finally stirred up the group to leave. Weather was perfectly clear with temps in the low 70's & no wind. Time for Santiago Canyon.

Regroup at Cooks Corner Harley Hangout

We set a nice cruise pace for the few rollers ahead. OFR Bruce Tipton had a low tire, so several riders stopped to help out. The rest of us went ahead for the blast downhill and a regroup down at Cook's Corner. Not many Harley's there today, only a few cafe racers. Saw several cyclists in fancy garb riding the other way. Of course, we had to make some comments on their aero helmets and colorful shoes! 15 minutes and we were all grouped up again heading for some fun down Aliso Creek Bikeway.

Fast riding with many turns and several bridges to cross. Great riding down thru Lake Forest on this path. We exited the path near Laguna Hills High School onto Paseo de Valencia and after one climb, a fast downhill to Cabot and to our next shortie bike path...Cabot-Forbes... odd ball and hard to find unless you're really looking. After a short regroup, we were met with rocks and construction, which required a 20' portage onto firm roads again. Looks like they are adding a bike path along the channel. Will confirm next trip. That would be a great addition to by-pass the train station. For us, we made a HAB (hike-a-bike) under the station and onto Camino Capistrano. Keith led out at a blistering pace to San Juan Capistrano.

Enter Aliso Creek Bike Path here.

More road traffic now as we decided on a quick turn onto the San Juan Bike Trail along the channel. Slight headwind here as we bunched up. Sun was shining, temps were great as we pulled into the bathroom at trails end. We all said our good-byes to the OFR gruppo, filled our bottles and headed southward.

Ken set a fast pace toward San Clemente, aided by a nice tailwind. We were cruising at 21mph till the climb up thru town. Keith was off racing to Carl's Jr. refuel stop. 5 minutes and our bottles were full, wind at our backs and we were stoked for the final run to Oceanside.

John, Mike & Keith were off the front and I was riding with Ken talking about fueling for the longer rides. Saw two touring guys far ahead as we approached Las Pulgas. I just had to check them out. Ken was at his car chatting with Mike, Keith and John. I was chatting with the Brits, who didn't know which way to go. Follow us thru the Marine Base, limeys!

Cabot-Forbes Path is harder to find!

They soon caught up to us and John & I were quizzing them on what, when, where and how. A couple of young, strong riders on semi road bikes with double panniers. These guys were on a credit card tour. No camping for them as they were riding "lite". Keith and Mike were racing back to Oceanside ahead. Dodging traffic, we managed to keep in touch and "guide" them thru OK. These Brits just loved those rollers and we talked kilometers with them! Parted after exiting the main gate. I think they stopped at Denny's on Coast Hwy. 101. John & I were greeted by Mike & Keith at Circle K. Time for final receipts. Plenty of daylight left on these short days.

Good ride, nice weather and lots of camaraderie today. Mike was riding back home on SLR Bike Path. Mike is retiring from HP in 2 weeks and can finally enjoy some real riding now. Hopefully local randos will be doing a special ride with him on the 21st. John offered me a lift back to San Marcos and Keith sprinted back to his car. Keith completed his full yearly R-12 with this ride today & also entered the realms of the K-Hounds with 10000 km in rando rides this year.

OFR Route video on YouTube

Clear skies
Hi: 84     Lo: 48
Wind: NW-7mph
125 miles

-randorides