Ursa Minor To San Juan Capistrano

Ursa Minor route we rode today

Had a little rando ride today, doing the Ursa Minor ( 209km/130mi) with others in the group. Weather was overcast the whole day and not a bit of sunshine on us. Nice group of eight randos managed to do some damage.

-Sandy Aniya, still concerned about his "Top To Bottom" Brevet being cut from the SDRando Calendar (all others were also dropped from the list - No RBA)!

-John Fry, a few days off from running, was Mr. Steady while riding and climbing today.

-Keith Olsen, laid back from cycling some these days, as his garage cleaning duties surfaced.

-Mac Imacseng, looking for a reason to ride more and retire from his Acupuncture business.

-Greg Armstrong, mixing it up on the road from his normal strong dirt MTB activities

-Ben Hain, always looking for a fast pace and maybe he could log a few more traffic tickets today?

-Greg (lightbelt) Sherman, aero deep-dish wheels & didn't need his lightbelt today

-Kelly DeBoer , had a  decent ride today till the long, back hurting Champagne section

Left in a timely fashion from the friendly 7-Eleven, where they know to give us receipts for the paltry items we buy for "proof of passage". Convenient rando pace leaving San Marcos and the nice short cut over to Del Dios Highway via Country Club Dr. Group stayed together thru the rollers past Rancho Santa Fe town and plenty of vocal warnings about the next control at the bottom of the hill approaching Coast Hwy.

Control Stop Solana Donuts had recent remodel.

1st Control/Donut Shop didn't have any Red Velvet. I think they stopped making them for us. Sandy was nice and bought donuts for most of us. Mac lives close and joined the group for donuts before the ride north. Public bathroom and water at the shop's sink make this a nicer stop now. Ben & the Gregs were mostly off the front as we picked up the pace northward along the coast. Encinitas was quiet this time of morning but we did latch onto several riders as we picked our way to Oceanside.

Entering Oceanside, I made sure I briefed the group on the recent wave of police tickets on cyclists near the pier. Ben had just entered his personal info online for Base entry and was a little worried if they would let him pass. No problem as we passed into Camp Pendleton. I managed a roadside porta-potty stop and joined up with Sandy to later meet up with the group at the San Onofre Campground bathroom for water & stuff.

Decided to follow route thru San Clemente and a few red lights broke up the group. Ben had a flat tire entering Doheny Park. After a chat, the group continued on, as Keith & Sandy would pick him up and show him the way along the San Juan Bike Path to the control in San Juan Capistrano. We rolled into Mickie D's and ordered up. Quite a bit later, the others came in. Ate my banana and had a 79 cent cone as Keith ordered out his fav. Kids Meal Deal! We hung around for a while, checking out a ladies rusted hybrid bike.

Group split with Greg, Ben & Greg leaving SJC earlier, while the rest of us would later stop by to visit our rando, K-Hound buddy, Mike Shaw at his house, just off route before Bonsall. Mac, Keith, John, Sandy & I soon headed west into the normal headwind on the SJC Bike Path. A slight push helped us make good time up thru San Clemente and return via the Camp. Entering Oceanside, Mac wanted to split off route and head home to check his dogs. We talked him out of that idea, as Keith volunteered to give him a ride back to Solana Beach at the finish. A stronger wind moved us right along the San Luis Rey Bike Path. Sandy took over for the lead out to Mike's house.

Sandy snapped smiling Mike at home with the gruppo!

Mike is recovering from his recent shoulder surgery & looked good in his flashy blue plaid shirt! Mike has been doing lite exercising and trying to keep in some cycling shape. Soon we were off for the Bonsall Control.
Mike's Zesty Retirement Ride Video

Longish stop at McDonald's as if no one wanted to leave. Another nice tailwind push along Camino del Rey and no traffic to notice. Shorty climb split the group. On Champagne, I was sucking air as Mac & John easily rode away. No regroup on top as we were trying to beat the hour mark to the finish. That we did by a few minutes. The first group was in almost an hour earlier! 

Good ride and we got to visit Mike Shaw. too!

Ursa Minor Route Video

-randorides