Long Ride - OFR Ferry Meet-Up

OFR route from Orange back to Oceanside

OFR (Thursday Ride Group) was scheduled to Metro train up to Orange Station and ride back to O'side. They'll be leaving O'side on the 7:39 Metro and starting their ride from Orange at 8:44 over to the SART (Sana Ana River Trail) and down the coast. Sounds like a good chance for another infamous "kelly meet-up" ride. Perhaps I could plug-in the "Crusin' The OC route or the other route that goes thru Corona to SART?

Left dark-early and headed up to Temecula via old Hwy. 395. I was riding the Specialized Diverge gravel bike with the 650b wheelset/47mm tires. ( I was adding 1 oz of sealant to each 700mm tire on my other wheel-set.. the front went smooth, the rear never seated, so I pulled the tire, cleaned up and put in new Gorilla Tape/sealant - thus the change over to 650b wheel-set). Just over 40F and downhills felt more like 30F. Top was toastie with the wind/reflective vest over double layers. Bare legs were done froze. Never did the sun look so warm as it finally bridged the hills to the east and started to warm things up. I managed a donut stop around 0800 to take off the woolie cap and arm warmers.

OFR group photo near Laguna (arrow = me)

Hit SART outside of Corona and spent some time riding around the newish Anaheim Station. Some dude in the parking lot with a flat tire hit me up for some help. I offered my little Lenzyne pump, but I think he wanted some $$ instead.. Sorry dude, I'll pass the word along. That I did a bit later, when I met the local Transit Security big-guy. He said that guy is always there with his flat tire black van.. just forget him. OK, after wasting some time I did a little gravel work while cruising along SART waiting for the OFR gruppo to show up. Hope I didn't miss them. About 9:10 they came rolling by.

Balboa Ferry. Bike costs $1.25 for short ride.

Nice group including rando Jim Robinson. We had a chance to catch up on riding stuff, including what happened to John Fry? Reported after foot surgery, he is swimming and hopes to get back on the bike next year. LOL. Chatted with others as we made our way to Coast Hwy. Group of 16 riders made the back way along the coast, with several stop at bathrooms. Finally boarded the little Balboa Ferry for the 5 minute cruise to the "mainland". Cost is still $1.25 per bike. Eric Rix didn't take my offer up to pay for all. He was having issues with his new Pinerallo shifting.

Finally made it to Laguna, where their route went inland a bit. There a few stopped off at the local bike shop. Ten of us continued up and down the back street rollers on to Dana Point, where they were stopping for lunch at their normal Harbor restaurant. Not to be deterred, I said my "adios" and hit the road, hoping to finish up before dark. Several of them may have jumped the Metro at San Clemente back to O'side.

DUH: SUV rolls off Balboa Ferry!

I stopped at 7-Eleven for a refill and a $1 Ice Cream Sandwich (special) before riding thru San Clemente and on to San Onofre Campground. Slight headwind as I made good time and jumped the I-5 route southward. Nice and warm now as I appreciated the temp difference from earlier today. More light headwind on to San Marcos. Made it home around 3:00 PM. Another weird route and useful day on the road. In two weeks, OFR will do the annual "PIE Ride" around to Julian. Mmmm, looks like a good time for Rando's "Camels to Yaqui Pass"? OH YAH !

- randorides