Half-Hook Up Night Ride

Well, once again the SDrando Organization lives up to it's recent image.

Short Recap:

The Mexican-6 contingent arrives in full kit in 2 new 20" wheel pickups.  One woman with huge thighs ready for the scheduled ACP University Loop 202Km Rando Route.

No organizer Hector, Dave or anyone else showed up.

M-6 doesn't know what to do about waivers, route or other matters.

By chance, Sam Thomas & I are riding a similar route with same start point.

We finally get the group organized by handing out a few kellyjay cards & lame advice.

Roll out at 7:08PM.

I'm slightly disappointed as I rode the Diverge Gravel Bike and was planning on catching some gravel on the shortcut route up thru Old Twin Oaks Canyon toward Bonsall. Sam was on his Fuji racing bike with dd wheelset and trying out his new camera (Yes, another one!). M-6 had a few hi-end carbon bikes with dd wheels also. M-6 gal rode older bike with squeaky BB/crank.

Sam & I lead out till Deer Springs where we hand over the lead to others...for the enhanced camaraderie thing! Sam hands over the lead to M-6 gruppo.

Pace picks up with a well oiled pace-line machine. M-6 is laying it DOWN!

M-6 takes a few night pics at Bonsall. They want to do Strava proof of passage. We suggest receipts OR photos at controls.

It's off to the races on the Oceanside path @ 22mph. M-6 gruppo-lead makes a partial wrong turn down to homeless encampment! M-6 has no reflective gear at all. Headlights and rear lights are good.

Group looses sight of me & don't follow me to the arranged bathrooms break@ Transit Ctr.

I meet Sam at Magee Park later.

We catch the M-6 race group after Swami's, southbound. They were quite surprised, as were we!

I mentioned "we stopped for lunch" a while back.

Race up to Del Mar leaves Sam out of light-sight.

I wait for Sam at Carmel Valley turn to Poway.

I mention to M-6 about the "gravel sidewalk" and one lane traffic on Moreno Blvd en-route.

I say "adios" to the M-6 Gruppo as they continue on the University Loop route

Sam rejoins and we "cruise" into the Circle K on Camino del Sur. We chat about Troy's Diverge wheel replacement and the cost$.

Down the hatch with a jumbo Coke & Frito's for Sam. I do a normal stay-awake reload with GU gel & caffeine enhanced Fizz to bottle. Way past my normal bedtime.

We pace nicely, buddy up on the climbs and think we're going fast in the no-traffic darkness thru Rancho Bernardo.

Hodges Ped-Bridge is open. Yaaaaah!

We by-pass the Inland Rail Trail from Escondido due to large #'s of carts/junk. Take Mission instead. Smooth sailing on bad road. Turn off on Barham and blister to the Ralphs Store/Finish.

83.25 miles.

Chat with Sam a bit and he rolls out northward to Sun City.

Says he will nap a bit when he gets home, then wake up his mom... eat, prep and go back to sleep.

I stop by Twin Oaks 7-Eleven for finish receipt, grab a IC Sandwich.

Buddy clerk says "You're a little early today"

I answer with: "Just finishing up"!

I roll home and sneak into the house. I've got the wide-awakes and Ms Zaharah is sleeping nicely! Take Hammer Recovery drink with Ensure chaser and Ibo Gel capsule for the ongoing compression disk fractures pain. Shower, send email on NO-SHOW to Hector & RBA Dave D. and hit the sack before 0300. Wake up at 0630 feeling good.

- Busy Bar traffic/noise at usual places. Oceanside Pier was loaded with walkers/tourists?

- Party Bar in finish area by Ralph's Center was crankin' and hot-chick action.

Sounds like another rando night ride.

Our daytime route video.

- randorides