Night Ride: Bike Path X Two

Night route with start in LaCosta

When the weather heats up, a night ride always sounds like a great idea. John M. and I had been talking about it for several weeks and a last minute decision by John made it a GO for Saturday night... Just before the 4th of July on Tuesday.

Five PM is a good start time. Others have suggested times like 9:00 or even 7:00 PM. Too late, especially for a shorter ride of 6-7 hours.With an earlier start time, at least your body would have some semblance of a normal sleep schedule. I managed to send out a few emails to rando buddies, not expecting anyone else to show up. 4th of July weekend and randos were on the move early. Lisa had a Permanent for Saturday morning also.

Did think for a minute about using the recently modified MTB for the ride, but wisefully decided not to. Instead tried out the Camelbak for storage in lieu of the handlebar bag. Rolled out of San Marcos just after 4:00 PM and cycled down to the alternate start point of LaCosta (close to John's house). Arrived a few minute before 5:00 and John was waiting. I iced up the bottle and we were off a few minutes early.

Dave Horwitt had email earlier in the day and said he might hook up along Coast Hwy. 101 somewhere. We were on the lookout for him as we peddled southward with a short stop at Swami's Park. A few cyclists were on still on the roads as the sun didn't set till nearly 8:00 PM. Stopped at the hidden bathroom behind Performance Bike in Sorrento Valley for a water refill. Nice quiet place.

On the SR-56 Bike Path, John got a cell call from Dave. He was waiting for us at the Carmel Valley AM/PM on El Camino Real. Ooops, we rode by that one a few minutes ago! We did the slo- pedal till Dave joined up on the Bike Path. He had been hammering hard and was glistening sweat. Time to catch up on the chit-chat as we pulled into Del Sur Circle K for water.

Easy riding now as we by-passed Poway Road traffic and jumped onto Ted William Pkwy to Pomerado Road instead. Slight tailwind blew us up to Lake Hodges in record time. A short stop at Mule Hill Chevron for water and reflective gear. Sun was down and almost time for lights. Made our way thru Old Escondido Town, where Dave said he had never ridden. Same with Jesmond Dene climb. John set a nice pace on the way up.

Dave's dyno light was pointing skyward illuminating lo-flying owls. He made adjustments and my sight returned to normal. John was feeling it with his new tubeless Panaracer tires and pulled @20mph to Bonsall. Couldn't park bikes by McDonalds as just so happens AM/PM clones were power-washing the sidewalk! Go figure. I opted for a $2 shake and Mickie D rookie made me a sundae instead. Talked him into giving it to Dave for free (Dave's birthday on Monday, July 3rd)! Sat around eating ice cream as John filled his bottles.

Cygolite 720 did OK. Still need the battery pass-thru

Cygolite 720 did just fine on "medium" setting as we sped our way on Hwy. 76 westward to the SLR Bike Path. John did a steady pull @ 18mph to the Oceanside Pier. Signs of night  life as we rode thru Carlsbad with lite traffic. I was at 90 miles and decided to forgo the redundant ride to LaCosta and parted ways at Palomar Airport Road for the ride back to San Marcos. John & Dave continued on 101 till John turned off for home  at LaCosta Ave. Dave carried on the tradition and humped it home toward University City.

Arrived home after midnight. By the time I ate, cleaned-up and hyped-down it was 0200. Short nap and I was up ready for a early recovery ride. That felt good, but later in the day I was a zombie. Monday was crap too. For me, the fact is a night ride totally screws up a days normal routine. Not only that day, but for several days after. Perhaps a series of night rides and the body would adjust?

- randorides