Fix My Bike Hook-Up

Fix My Bike Route: We started in Bonsall.

September arrives and temps in the 100's! Sounds OK to me as several of us pondered the short Populaire RBA Dave had scheduled for today (Saturday). I wasn't particular enthused about racing with the group up Champagne Blvd at noon with no breeze and temps approaching the century mark. After pondering for a minute, I ask John Mestemacher if he wanted to start early up at the Bonsall Control and meet up with the randos in San Marcos around their 0700 start time! OK from him on this and several others might join in too.

John swung by San Marcos to pick me up and offered a chance to catch up on his recent events. Arriving in Bonsall early, I noticed the lone Donut Shoppe behind McDonald's was already open. Keith Olsen arrived for the ride, adding to his quest for a 2017 K-Hound Award. Also fireman John Bruce showed up to add some gossip and updates as we rode along. AM/PM had cheap stuff for a start receipt and free ice. We were off at 0530 to no traffic and dark skies. John B's tail light was on "automatic".. that is, when he hit a bump it would either go ON or OFF! That matched his double AAA batteries, which were fading fast.

Adequate chit-chat as we shifted into cruise gear thru little early traffic and climbed up Champagne Blvd to temps in the 60's. We lah-de-dah'd around a bit and finally arrived at San Marcos Albertson's early. Keith and I went inside as the others chatted with a few randos assembled for the ride. RBA Dave mentioned the early start in Bonsall was a great idea and I should have let him know in advance. I responded by suggesting he "check his email from yesterday". Hector was a little late and soon joined Ben Hian and Bob Coleman as we rolled out toward Del Dios Highway.

Solana Domut Shop: She has yet to smile!

The usual "race mode" was on for a few riders as we rolled thru Rancho Santa Fe and on to LaCosta Donut Shop for our control break. Keith locked himself in the bathroom as we gobbled our donuts outside (John bought Red Velvet today for me). Minutes later we were among the weekend riders along the coast.

Jumped a CAF group who were pace-lining northward and they pulled us thru Carlsbad @ 20+mph. Short regroup... past the pier and on to the San Luis Rey Bike Path. Dave D./Ben did most of the pulling along here as we added riders to the train. John M. took a turn up front as I tucked in and enjoyed the draft. Quick trip on Hwy. 76 to minimal traffic as temps were into the 90's and it was only 1000. McDonald's was air-con cool as I loaded up my cone with a Vanilla GU Gel. Ten minutes later, we bid farewell to the others as they entered the heat chamber back to their finish in San Marcos.

On the ride back to San Marcos, John & I had plenty of time to plan some future weird rando events.

- randorides