Lightly Damp 11-City Loop

Eleven City Loop Route

Mike Shaw organized a rando ride for today and with it's local start, I'm all in. Sam drove down from Sun City, John Mestemacher and John Fry rode in from LaCosta area, Keith Olsen and Mike drove in, Bill Stevenson rode over from home (across the street) and I rode over from north San Marcos. Today was the popular "Eleven City Loop" route. Not a lot of climbing, but a nice little loop route which included the coast and a trip thru Poway on the way back.

John's new SCOTT Addict 10 Gravel

We were off a little early, as riders had a few questions on Keith & John's new bikes. Keith had another fixed gear, this time black vs his other one which was a rust color (burnt orange). John has a top rated gravel bike in his SCOTT Addict 10 Gravel, laced with 36mm Schwalbe Big-One tires. Quick pace under damp/foggy like conditions as we made our was down Palomar Airport Rd. the first check point near the coast. Started to drizzle after leaving the Chevron Station.

"Butt-Crack" jogger near Del Mar

Not many riders out today, mainly due to the dampness. We rolled past the busy Leucadia Donut and made our way down the coast for a short stop at Swami's. Riding past Del Mar Dog Beach, John noticed a jogger wearing a "butt-crack". I managed to get a pic of this, which was quite humorous at the time. A few riders around as we cycled thru Sorrento Valley and our normal bathroom stop near Performance Bike. They were staging for their Saturday AM ride.

Mike was having some front derailleur problems and Sam took a look. We hung around for a while, as they worked it out (or didn't?). Next up was the only real climb of the day, touching at 9%. We all paced up and made our way thru the residential homes at the top. Bill was needing to get back home by 12:30, so he took the alternate route straight up Black Cyn. Road, loop to Dove Cyn. and Rancho Bernardo, cross over Hodges and head back to the start. The rest of us climbed eastward on Mercy Road to the final control at Scripps Poway Pkwy. Chevron.

Sam got "nailed" by Lake Hodges

Sam was on his cell on his "Flip My House" thing as the rest of us talked bikes. Skies had cleared by now and it was heating up quick. More cyclists out now as a large group headed up SPPkwy. We were off northward on Pomerado Road, with Sam off the front. Just before crossing over I-15, Sam picked up a nail in his rear tire. I took a few pics as the group hung around. Prompt tube change and we were winding our way across Lake Hodges, which had water under the bridge ( many years since that happened).

Gruppo at the finish

Sam mentioned he was buying donuts at Peterson's Donuts, so we rode straight up Escondido Ave. and made a stop. Sam, John Fry and I loaded up, while the others were still waiting for Sam to buy! After lingering around watching people line up, we were off for the Bike Path route on the way to the CSUSM Ralph's finish.

No record today as we turned a 5 hr ride into a 51/2 hour jaunt. After a few snapshots and some chatting, John Fry and John M. headed out for the climb up Twin Oaks and on to home. Keith handed out recovery Ensure (Costco Brand) as we parted for home. Nice ride after starting out a bit damp.

- randorides