FIX MY BIKE Populaire-RAAM Start

Route map for our Oceanside start, FIX MY BIKE Route today.

Today was rando Sam's birthday AND the start of RAAM/RAW riders from Oceanside on their hard quest to Durango, Colo OR Annapolis, MD. I thought it might be a good idea to combine an early rando route with the RAAM send off. Last year we did a similar ride and managed to just barely make the RAAM start at noon. A little wiser this time, the route was changed and we did a reverse course this year. Arrived back in Oceanside before 11:00, which gave us plenty of time to browse around in the pits.

Rando Sam Thomas had a birthday today... Flag Day too! Joining Sam were Keith Olsen from Point Loma and John Fry from San Marcos. Of course, I was there too, with GoPro & old Canon PowerShot hand-held camera to catch the action.

 The temps were perfect for riding today. Sunshine would have been nice, but overcast followed us the entire route.
Sam set an early birthday tempo, blasting down the coast @ 20mph, leaving a wake of passed riders and ladies on cruiser bikes. Welcome stop at Solana Donuts. They only have Red Velvet on Saturdays now. Bummer. Sam grabbed some donut holes and I a cake donut to eat along the way.

Massive traffic after Rancho Santa Fe. Cars heading to the coast and work in San Diego. Glad we were going the other way today. I rode with Keith up Del Dios and past the dam. Water was all green with springtime algae growth. Not looking good at all. Back way into San Marcos for a stop at our favorite 7-Eleven. Too bad no bathrooms there for randos. Keith managed to dump water on the sidewalk to feed the ants, while he poured a double RedBull into his bottles. Hope that helps!

Managed a few action shots of RAAM riders at the Pier.

We did take the climbing way to Bonsall via N. Twin Oaks Valley Road. That was peaceful enough. Not so with Gopher Cyn. Road and increased traffic. Sam blistered the pace and we were quickly past all that and on the quiet Little Gopher Cyn. Road. Later on we did manage more easy hi-speeds along Hwy. 76 to the San Luis Rey Bike Trailhead. A stop a Mance Buchanan Park for water refill and time for a photo-op of our bikes.

Keith set up the first pull on the Bike Path westward with John doing the latter damage into the finish. I did manage a few nice shots along this section which I included in the route video. After the finish, we went over to the RAAM Start at the Oceanside Pier. The pits are the best place to be pre-race. Riders & crew are buzzing all over the place. At noon, it was over to the starting line to watch a few solos and teams leave the pleasant temps for punishment in the desert. I left a little early to ride down to Encinitas to get a new Shimano 6701 bike chain. (Of course, back-ordered again!)

Sam looked like he had a good ride. Later he was going out to a movie with the Ms. Nice way to spend a birthday! Keith & John hung around for a while, before heading home and prepping for our scheduled hot Permanent ride up thru Orange County on Saturday. (RAAM Team Start Day too!)

Ride Video With A Few RAAM Hi-Lites


-randorides