08-06-2026 Ride

 Woke up just before my alarm was set to go off at 5:30, and I scrambled to get ready for the bike ride  with Paula after seeing how long it had taken me to get to our planned meet-up spot. I was rolling before 5:50 and kept a pretty decent pace. Down by the park and across the pedestrian bridge (it was still too dark to take the freeway) to Via Rancho Pkwy, then up the little climb and down to turn onto Felicita Rd. I rode up to Hamilton Ln and stayed on this road, following the route I had discovered the last time I rode this direction. Up to Continental Ln, turning right there and continuing up until I got to Calle Catalina, which I used to get over to Gamble Ln. Through the gates at the top and then over to Citracado Pkwy via Scenic Trail Way. I rode down to Harmony Grove Village Pkwy, turned there and then turned right onto Harmony Grove Rd. I was still pushing the pace, intending to meet Paula on this road. I did, perhaps a mile or so past the park, and we turned around and kept going until turning left onto Via Ambiente. There was a gate here, but it was fairly easy to get around, so I assumed it was one intended for residents. This road got pretty steep soon after the turn, and we had a 1-mile climb with gradients regularly over 10%. That was a workout, we had a little descent before another climb that was also about a mile and started with gradients up to 15% before becoming more gradual. I got ahead of Paula on this climb and came up to a gate across the road that was going to be a real issue getting past. When she showed up, we started planning how to get by. A truck, I think it was a fire department vehicle, came up the road and saved us the hassle by using a strobe to open the gate. When I saw the strobe I thought it was flashing lights from the police and we were going to get ticketed for trespassing. We really dodged a bullet there. We rode about 2 miles down to the bottom, and the second mile averaged over 11% gradient. Got down to the bottom and found another security gate, this one for a community. We couldn't figure out how to trigger the gate, but eventually it opened (maybe the security guard saw us) and we got through. This put us by the cafe the Bisikleta has stopped at the in the past before climbing Del Dios. We stopped there for a break, the cafe was supposed to be open but wasn't. Eventually they opened the doors and we placed our orders (Paula paid, my turn next). Had a nice conversation, I learned more about Paula's early life in Romania, both before and after the fall of Ceausescu's government. Pretty grim in the early days, when she lived in the countryside with her grandparents. Catalin was in Bucharest. After the break we got onto Del Dios Hwy and climbed up to the dam and past. I was feeling strong, thought my time would be faster than it actually turned out to be. That was probably the caffeine. I waited for Paula at the top, then we descended and turned on Rancho Dr, descending to Lake Dr. This is a more scenic way to get over to Via Rancho Pkwy, for sure. I didn't have any issues climbing back up, again feeling pretty good. Waited for her there, then we continued back to Del Dios Hwy and rode up to Citracado Pkwy. I retraced my earlier route back to the end of Harmony Grove Village, turning around at Wilgen Dr. I stayed on Harmony Grove Rd all the way to Kauana Loa Dr, using it to get back to Citracado Pkwy. I climbed back to the top of Gamble Ln, then descended (much more fun after they repaved the road) to Bernardo Ave, turning right there, then left on Hamilton Ln to get back to the way I'd come earlier. Retraced my route to I-15 and then took the freeway over Lake Hodges. Home the normal way from there. The sun was out by then, but it wasn't too hot.

Avg speed = 14.4 mph (14.6 mph). Total mileage = 33.5 mi

Avg power = 142 W. Weighted avg power = 182 W

Total elevation gain = 2800' (2750')

Avg heartrate = 121 bpm (Coospo)

Relative Effort = 60 (65)

Training Load = 178 (168)

Intensity = 83% (83%)

https://www.strava.com/activities/19629165847

Got home, and I was hungry from the exertion. Ann had also just gotten home. I had a quick rest, then I showered and felt much better after that. Later, I checked to make sure I had several coin batteries in my saddle bag because I think my left shifter battery is getting close to needing replacement. I finished off the camping enchiladas for lunch. In the afternoon I pushed the switch and ordered a set of low-profile carbon wheels (EliteWheels ENT 3.0) from AliExpress, they are due to be delivered in about a month. I figure I will benefit from having them on the bikepacking trip, they should be much better to ride on in windy conditions. Also ordered rotors to go with them as well as a new cycling rain jacket. Read some in the afternoon and watched a little TV as well. I also did the same after dinner, it was a quiet evening.

I'm reading Thirty Below, by Cassidy Randall, which is about the first all-female team to climb Mt Denali. It's a pretty good read so far, blending descriptions of the climbers with the challenges they face, both before and during the ascent.

08-05-2026 Ride

Work up early again but slept well. I got up and got ready for a somewhat early start to a ride, to meet John at his house. Took the original normal way over to Poway Rd, then because I had some extra time I stayed on Pomerado Rd until turning right onto Old Pomerado Rd and riding through that weird neighborhood. Up to Scripps-Poway Pkwy, where I turned right and rode, at modest pace, up the hill until turning onto Springbrook Dr and then Springhurst Dr. Still had some time, so I rode down to Alpine Ter and turned there, taking it to Briarleaf Way, to the top of this road, then over to John's place. Vivian and Jayden were out, and Jayden waved us off the start with flags. We headed back to Springhurst Dr and then took it to Springbrook Dr and up Angelique St to Cypress Canyon Park Dr. I had a little bit of a lead on John, so I rode to the top of Angelique St before circling back and meeting him. We rode up to Pomerado Rd and then took it down toward Mira Mesa, turning left on Kearny Villa Rd. This ride ended up being a little longer than I thought it would be, but it was fine. We stayed on Kearny Villa Rd until it turned into Ruffin Rd, then kept on it until turning right on Balboa Ave. This road has a concrete section by the bike path, then asphalt road. As I was riding, I briefly caught my wheel in the gap between these two segments, but I was able to pull the bike out of the gap before going over. It was too close for comfort, a reminder that I need to watch where I'm going more closely, all the time. We rode back to Kearny Villa Dr, turning right there and taking it back to the turn to stay on this road. Up to this point John had been holding his own, but he was getting tired by this time and started slowing down as we rode back by Miramar MCAS. I slowed down as well but gapped him on the last little rise before we turned onto Kearny Mesa Rd to get back to Pomerado Rd. Right turn there and back up the hill. Again, I stayed with John for most of this stretch, but he slowed down on the last climb, so I gapped him again, enough so that when I got to the top I was able to make several loops around that little neighborhood there. When he caught up, we rode back to his house the normal way. This was a pretty big effort for him, but he made it. My legs felt a little tired from the previous day's ride, but I was still okay.

Avg speed = 15.5 mph (15.6 mph). Total mileage = 44.5 mi

Avg power = 126 W. Weighted avg power = 152 W

Total elevation gain = 2370' (2460')

Avg heartrate = 114 bpm (Coospo)

Relative Effort = 44 (45)

Training Load = 149 (156)

Intensity = 69% (72%)

https://www.strava.com/activities/19615642684

I got a fairly detailed summary of their Alaska cruise (bears, moose, orcas, humpback whale, bald eagles, otters, harbor seals), told them a little about our Hawaii trip, then I had to start heading home. Went home the normal way, via Bernardo Center Dr. Legs were fine on this last stretch, but I was glad to be done. I didn't have a whole lot of time, so I ate some cereal (was pretty hungry), shaved, showered, and got ready for my volunteer shift at the hospital. Almost forgot my badge, but I remembered as I made the turn onto Aguamiel Rd. Had lunch there, then started the shift. It was significantly busier at the start than usual, a fair number of rooms needing to be cleaned. Overall, I was fairly busy, had more of a slowdown toward the end of the shift, but nothing else was out of the ordinary. I rode home, was pretty tired by the time I got home, but changing clothes and relaxing in front of the TV before dinner helped with that. Ann and I watched some TV after dinner, then I read some before going to sleep (<!>).

08/04/2026 Ride

Slept well, got up before 6:00 and got ready for a coffee ride with Andy and Nel. I took a banana but didn't end up eating it until I got back home. Headed through the neighborhood all the way on Matinal Circle to Matinal Rd and then took W Bernardo Dr to RB Rd. Then it was to Andy's house, where he and Nel were waiting. We rode to Pomerado Rd via Rios Rd and then took it, at their pace, up to Scripps-Poway Pkwy. We turned left there and rode up to Kirkham Rd, turning right. I rode up faster than the others and waited for them at the turn. Took Kirkham Way to General Atomics Way and back over to Scripps-Poway Pkwy. Then we rode down to the turnoff to get to Sycamore Canyon Rd, using it and then riding up to the end of the road, where we took a short break (Nel found 12 cents) before turning around and riding back to Scripps-Poway Pkwy. We took it up to Danielson St and turned there to ride to Stowe Dr, taking a right turn and heading down to O-Brien's Boulangerie. We stopped for coffee and pastries, coffee is pretty good here, better than The French Oven, but they have better pastries, I think. Conversation was a lot about retired life in different forms, we talked a little about the November bikepacking trip. Then it was back on the bikes and down to Community Rd, where we turned right and headed down the hill and over to Twin Peaks Rd. Left turn there, taking it back to Pomerado Rd and turning right. We retraced our route back to Andy's house, I just stayed briefly before riding towards home the via RB Rd. I decided to stay on this road and climb up to Matinal Rd, getting just a little more distance in, turning right there and riding down to Pinzon Way and turning left to get to Carranza Dr, where I also turned left and rode to Harvest Dance Way. Right turn there and down to get to Poblado Rd, where I turned left and rode it down and over to Duenda Rd and home via Azucar Way. Didn't quite get to 30 miles, but I was close.

Avg speed = 13.9 mph (14.0 mph). Total mileage = 29.5 mi

Avg power = 110 W. Weighted avg power = 143 W

Total elevation gain = 1780' (1820')

Avg heartrate = 106 bpm (Coospo)

Relative Effort = 26 (27)

Training Load = 100 (98)

Intensity = 65% (65%)

https://www.strava.com/activities/19600389061

Got home and took a little break before having lunch. In the afternoon Ann and I drove over to Nordstrom Rack to look at suits. They had one that might work, but it was a little more than I wanted to spend, and I want to look at other places as well. I started trying to create an event log of significant things done in 2023, relying on my Google Maps timeline (imported from my old phone account) as well as my photos. In the evening we talked to Laura about travel, ours and hers, and then quite a bit about wedding plans. Things are generally shaping up, we took a couple of action items out of the call. I watched some TV in the evening and then turned in.

08-03-2026 Run/Swim

Slept well after getting back from the concert in Carlsbad. I woke up a little after 5:30, laid in bed for a bit before getting up and getting ready for a run. It was still cloudy when I left and just a little humid. Ran down by the park on the normal 5k route, with negative splits for the three miles. I tried to run just a little faster than I have been going, with a focus on gradually reducing my times in preparation for the Grape Day 5k in September

Avg pace = 8:24/mi

Total distance = 3.17 mi

Elapsed moving time = 26:38

Avg heartrate = 129 bpm (Coospo)

Relative Effort = 9

https://www.strava.com/activities/19582899979

Got home, cleaned the kitchen, and hung around the house until it was time to get ready for my swim at the WWC. Headed over there, and it was going to be a busy day in the pool, I could see. I got lane 4, Rob Fogarty showed up for the first time, and so we shared this lane for much of my workout. I was clearly out of practice and have lost much of my form and strength in swimming, so there is a lot of work to do. I swam three 500s, the last one with swim fins. Thought I didn't bring my video camera (it was in the other pocket of my backpack), so the metrics are from my watch data as ported to Strava. Here are the splits: 9:35, 9:34, 8:37. My stroke count was also high, basically from the start, for the 1000 yds I swam without fins. I also felt like I was flailing in the water, had to really focus on having my arms enter the water smoothly.

Avg pace = 1:51/100 yds (Zepp, not counting pause to put on my swim fins, chatting with Rob and Howard)

Total distance = 1500 yds (Zepp)

Elapsed moving time = 27:46 (Zepp)

Avg heartrate = 146 bpm (possibly, seems high)

Relative Effort = 37 (possibly, seems high)

SWOLF = 36

Avg stroke rate = 22 bpm

Avg pull distance = 2.35 yds

https://www.strava.com/activities/19584296541

Rode home from there, the air temperature was just right for being on a scooter. Had some cereal for breakfast, then I loaded the new chain wax into the crock pot and started heating it, to get it ready for waxing a couple of chains. While I was looking at the chain on my Canyon, I noticed that it had a broken inner link (no way to fix this). Had been experiencing some occasional skipping on the ride on Sunday, now I know why. I took the chain off and threw it away. Put my other chain, already waxed Chain #3 (with two MasterLinks), on the bike. Then I took the chain off my Fuji bike, cleaned it, and put it in the new wax bath. After it had sat there for a while, I took it out, let it cool, then loosened up the links and put it back on the bike. I had trouble with the MasterLink (it might be a little bent), so I replaced it with a new one, and that seemed to solve the problem. I took out my unused SRAM flattop chain, cleaned off the factory oils using mineral oil and acetone, then I put that in the wax bath as well. Followed the same procedure and got it ready for swapping out whenever it's time. Watched some TV in the afternoon as well, put a screen protector on my new phone, had a nap. In the early evening we talked to Laura, some about recent travels but mostly about wedding prep. Watched some TV in the evening and then did the dishes.

08-02-2026 Ride

Slept pretty well, even with having a nap the previous afternoon. Got up and got ready for a ride before the temperature heated up. This was a chill ride, legs were feeling the effects of the previous day. I rode down by the park and over to Highland Valley Rd, turning there and riding up the first climb to the 5-mile point before turning around and riding back to Pomerado Rd. Left turn there, taking it (slowly) up to Twin Peaks Rd, where I stopped and ate one of the protein bars I got from Joe and Cathie. Those things are a calorie load. It took me a while to get through it, then I continued up to join the time trial route for just a little bit, until I got onto W Bernardo Dr. Then I meandered through the technology park to the left of this road, coming out on Via del Campo to get back to W Bernardo Dr. Home the normal way from there. I avoided the direct sun on the ride, but it was definitely more humid than normal.

Avg speed = 14.6 mph (14.6 mph). Total mileage = 20.3 mi

Avg power = 111 W. Weighted avg power = 137 W

Total elevation gain = 1150' (1170')

Avg heartrate = 101 bpm (Coospo)

Relative Effort = 13 (12)

Training Load = 56 (56)

Intensity = 62% (62%)

https://www.strava.com/activities/19571395010

Got home and had a generally quiet day. I did some reading, had a nap in the early afternoon, and emptied out my old chain wax from the crock pot. Intention is to replace it with a new batch I recently ordered. That went well. Talked to Ross, Ben, and Mark in the afternoon about various topics, including setting the date for our meeting with Mom while I'm visiting Houston. I also talked to Ross about getting the room ready, to Ben about Adri's recent COVID bout, and to Mark about Lisa's upcoming surgery to repair some tendons in her left foot (it apparently was causing drop foot symptoms and pain). In the evening we drove down to Carlsbad to eat pizza for dinner and see Jeff Berkley, Gregory Page, and Bushwalla at New Village Arts. We ate at Knockout Pizza, got pre-made slices, and they weren't good, had been under the heat lamps too long. The garlic knots were also too greasy, won't be going back there. We walked around Carlsbad village after that and eventually got over to the theater with time to chill before they opened the theater doors. We got good seats when they did, and the show was pretty good. Bushwalla, aka Billy Galewood, hadn't performed as this persona in quite a while. He was the emcee at the Java Joe's reunion show earlier this year, and maybe some of that persona was represented there. He was decent, very funny and engaging with the audience but rusty in his music. Jeff Berkley also knows how to interact with an audience. Some of his songs are mildly entertaining, others not as much, and his voice is serviceable but not one I would go out of my way to hear. I really liked Gregory Page's set. Seems like he has moved past the Leon Redbone phase, which wasn't my favorite, and he's now playing tuneful melodies with fine guitar accompaniment. He finished with a cover of George Harrison's Within You Without You that just didn't work for me. Other than that, a good set. They all finished with a cover of This Land Is Your Land, which I think was also the closer for the Java Joe's concert. Walked back, on a still warm evening, to the car and drove home, and to bed after that.

08-01-2026 Ride

Slept pretty well, although I did get up in the night and have a little trouble going back to sleep. But it was nice sleeping in a comfortable bed (<>). Got ready for a Bisikleta ride, and it was promising to be a hot day. When I got out into the garage I noticed that my front tire was flat, so I had to change the tube quickly. Later I noticed that the front tire had a big gash in it, so it needed to be replaced. But I didn't notice this when I made the repair. Rode through the neighborhood and then, because I had some time, took the extended route through the 4S Ranch neighborhood. Andy and Arnold were there when I got to the 4S Target. Others began drifting in, so that on this ride we had a larger number of riders than I expected we would: Ray, Andy, Arnold, Jed, Fritz, James, and Nel. We left around 7:40 after Ray figured out how to take a picture of us. This route took us on familiar roads, down CdS to San Dieguito Rd. I was sweeping on this ride, so I tended to hang back toward the rear of the group. Down Three Witches and over to El Apajo, turning there and taking it and Via de Santa Fe up to VdlV. I waited at this turn for Arnold to catch up, then he and I rode up to the other riders. We turned on Paseo Delicias and took it over to El Camino del Norte. I again waited for everybody to make the turn, then I rode at a brisk pace to catch up to the tail end of our group. On this segment I pushed harder than anywhere else on this ride. Arnold and Fritz were out front, and it took a fairly big effort to catch up to them, including on the descent. I went full gas on the last little ascent and passed them before the stop sign. It's been a while since I went that deep for a sprint. I waited for everybody else to pass me as we turned left on RSF Rd. Andy and I rode together on this stretch to Manchester Ave and kept going through the left turn to stay on this road, under the freeway and until it turned into San Elijo Ave. We stopped briefly at the 7-Eleven, where Ray convinced us to ride down to Broad Street Donuts in Encinitas, where he bought coffee and churro donuts for us. It was, as usual, a casual and fun little break, and Ray got us riding again, back on PCH. I was at the back riding with Andy, the others got out ahead of us. We rode up into Del Mar, caught James on the little climb into the village, then the three of us rode to CMR and used it to get to the 56 bike path, where the others were waiting in the shade. Several riders were really feeling the effects of the heat, particularly Fritz and Arnold. Andy led out on this next stretch, and the rest of us were riding in a pack pretty far behind him. He waited for us at the cul-de-sac, and then he and I were in the back as we continued riding. We stayed on the bike path up to CdS. I put in a little bigger effort to pass others, couldn't catch Ray, who had ridden ahead. The group splintered some here, as James kept riding while Fritz needed to stop for some cold water and Arnold removed the brace he was wearing on his ankle. I rode ahead with the slower  group, intent on staying with Andy and making sure he was okay. Fritz was also suffering some here, but he perked up and rode ahead of us. The other riders caught up with Andy and me and passed us, so we brought up the back and took our time on the last little climbs back to Target. He made it just fine, he's in better shape than he wants to admit. I hung around for a bit with the group, but it was definitely feeling hot by this time, so I took a shorter way home via RB Rd and W Bernardo Dr. No fast pace here, just taking it pretty easy. It was 96 deg when I got home, didn't feel that hot out on the road, but I was glad to be done.

Avg speed = 16.3 mph (16.4 mph). Total mileage = 52.5 mi

Avg power = 129 W. Weighted avg power = 156 W

Total elevation gain = 2640' (2680')

Avg heartrate = 130 bpm (Coospo)

Relative Effort = 107 (110)

Training Load = 183 (191)

Intensity = 71% (73%)

https://www.strava.com/activities/19559904749

Had a pretty light lunch of cheese and crackers when I got home, ate a little ice cream as well. Chilled for a little while in the early afternoon before tackling some easy chores: replacing tires on my Canyon, fixing the rear tire flat on my Fuji, replacing rear brake pads on my Canyon, taking the bike rack off the car, and reserving a rental car for the upcoming trip to Houston. Later in the afternoon I had a nap and relaxed in preparation for an evening out. We went down to La Jolla Playhouse and saw ha ha ha ha ha ha ha, an unscripted comedy performance by Julia Masli featuring audience participation. This was a strange, awkwardly humorous, show where she came out in character and asked various audience members to state a problem they were having. Then she would riff on their answers, endeavoring to create some kind of solution. I was so glad she didn't put me on the spot, the other people from the audience were quite gracious to play along with the performance. Back home after that and to bed.

07/31/2026 Entry

This was a long travel day. I woke up and got up around 6:00, Ann did too. That seemed like a good start, we had a shot at getting through the LA area before heavy traffic. Packed up the camping gear and ate a quick breakfast in under 2 hours, we were rolling before 8:00. Took a different route down out of the Sierras into Visalia, it was still really winding for an hour and a half, had to stay focused throughout. We got down to near the 99 and stopped for gas and a bio break. I made the mistake of getting a large fountain drink. Got to the 99 and headed south, but soon after I needed to pee again. I waited until just before climbing the Grapevine before stopping again. Didn't totally get relief, but it was enough to keep going for a while. I made it to past Santa Clarita before needing to stop again, and then it was Ann's turn to drive. She got the worse shift. We avoided the LA traffic but had terrible slowing all the way through Pasadena and out the 210. The 71 interchange was awful, and we ended up driving on surface streets through Corona, still running into traffic as we got closer to I-15. And of course it was slow on this freeway. What surprised me was that it was slow all the way into Temecula, for no reason other than lots of cars as far as I could see. There might have been an accident earlier, but it was cleared by the time we drove by. The car temperature said it was 107 deg in Lake Elsinore. Traffic finally cleared toward the south end of Temecula, and we drove the rest of the way home without incident. Got home just before 4:30, at least an hour and a half more than I thought (hoped) it would take. We unpacked the car, stowed the camping gear, and put the food away. I ate some leftover enchiladas for dinner and had a nice, quiet evening, watching a little TV and reading as well.