Slept okay but woke up pretty early (<!>). This was a tough ride at the end. I knew it was going to be a hot one, so I left early to get some extra miles in while it wasn't scorching. Through the neighborhood via Duenda Rd and Poblado Rd to Harvest Dance Way, then Autillo Way to Carranza Dr, then Pinzon Way to Matinal Rd. Up to RB Rd, then the extended route through 4S Ranch neighborhood, including riding to the tops of Camino San Thomas and Four Gee Rd. Over to CdS turning right there and then left on Garretson St. Right on Templeton St and over to PdS. I took it to Kristen Glen, turned there and rode down to Paseo Montenero. Over to Haaland Glen and back to PdS. Back to Paseo Montenero, turning left and riding to Via Montenero, turning left there, left again on Wayne Hill, then right on New Park Ter and right again on Casey Glen to get back to CdS. Then I rode to the 4S Target, was early enough to grab a coffee before others showed up. I wasn't expecting many to ride on this day, so I was surprised to see Andy there early. Paula also rode from the intersection of CVR and the 56 bike path. As we were chatting other showed up, so that at the start of the ride we had: Andy, Arnold, Fritz, Paula, Nel, James, Rob, and Kamal. Amazing! Headed down CdS to San Dieguito Rd (SDR), then down to El Apajo. We rode over the normal way to VdlV, then took it to Jimmy Durant Blvd. That stretch of road from cresting the hill on VdlV to just before the freeway is really bad. We took Jimmy Durante Blvd into Del Mar. On the climb Rob and Fritz attacked, but I was able to catch them before the light. We gathered everybody up in Del Mar (except Fritz, who stopped for a bio break), then gathered again for a pic (all except Rob) just before turning on CVR. It was officially hot and dry by this time. We had some shade on the 56 bike path, and Arnold, Nel, and I pushed the pace to the cul-de-sac. I waited for everyone to pass by at this spot, thought James was behind me but he wasn't, so I pushed as hard as I could to catch up. Paula had parked her car at CVR and brought out cold water and ice cream cones. That was a big help. It was so hot, at least 90 deg, that I decided to change the route to CVR all the way back to Dove Canyon Rd. I started behind the others but rode up to the front and then set a pace I felt I could sustain. Wasn't so bad until the climb started before the CdS intersection, and on this climb I was in grind-it-out mode. I gave it everything I had to the top of the climb, and Arnold hung with me. We then rode down to the intersection with Winecreek Dr and waited for the others. Some started showing up, but a group of riders was missing. Eventually we found out that Fritz and Rob had crashed, Rob harder. Kamal rode down and told us he was going to collect rob, who was cramping up and hurting from the crash. The rest of us rode, slowly and carefully, to Dove Canyon Rd and up that last climb to CSB. We turned left there, and it was blessedly slightly downhill most of the way to Nicole Ridge Rd. Took that and Potomac Ridge Rd over to PdS and back to the Target parking lot. It was in the mid-90's at this point. I waited around for Kamal and Rob to show up, he was okay, his hands (no gloves) took the brunt of the crash, but he seemed in decent spirits. After I helped him put his bike in the back of his van, I headed home via RB Rd and W Bernardo Dr. The wind was coming from the east, and it was hot, so not refreshing at all. Was very glad to make it back to the house without any issue, I didn't have a lot left by the end of this ride.
Saturday, October 3, 2026
10-03-2026 Ride
Avg speed = 16.0 mph (16.2 mph). Total mileage = 44.2 mi
Bisikleta route avg speed = 17.1 mph
Avg power = 141 W. Weighted avg power = 172 W
Total elevation gain = 2430' (2430')
Avg heartrate = 130 bpm (Coospo, elevated by the high temps)
Relative Effort = 102 (108)
Training Load = 192 (196)
Intensity = 78% (81%)
Got home and needed some time to cool off and recover from that ride. I watched some NCAA football and other TV, had a lot of fluids to rehydrate. Eventually I rode over to Cotijas and got a bean and rice burrito for lunch (need to make up another batch of beans and rice and stick it in the fridge for these occasions). Ann was home when I returned, I was glad she made it back from the outdoor quilting craft fair in Temecula. Ate my lunch and then read for a while. In the afternoon we talked to Laura to check in on wedding preparations, sounds like lots of wheels are in motion. Later on I verified all of the planned attendees for Ann's 65th birthday celebration dinner on 10-24. Avoided a nap, just closed my eyes for a few minutes in mid-afternoon.
Friday, October 2, 2026
10-02-2026 Swim
Slept okay, had a short night. I woke up after 4:00 but got back to sleep until around 6:15. Got up and planned a shorter route for Saturday, sent it out to the Bisikleta WhatsApp. Then I got ready for a swim at the WWC. Met Avi there, the pool was a little crowded, so I had lane 4. Focused on intermediate distances and speed/strength. I swam three 250s and finished with a 500. Avi did his own thing, looked like sprint drills, and I couldn't match his pace in general. Here are my details:
Initial 250
4:28
Second 250, with swim pads
4:20
Third 250, with swim fins
3:57
Final 500, no swim aids
9:13
My stroke length in the final 500 was shorter, arms didn't feel very strong. Lots more work needed to build endurance.
Avg pace = 1:45/100 yds (Video)
Total distance = 1250 yds (Video)
Elapsed moving time = 21:58 (Video)
Avg heartrate = 144 bpm (perhaps)
Relative Effort = 35 (maybe)
SWOLF = 35
Avg stroke rate = 22 bpm
Avg pull distance = 2.38 yds (was lower later in the workout)
Got home, had a banana and cereal for breakfast. Later, I went to Palomar Hospital in Poway and got my annual flu shot. Then I headed over to Walmart to get a couple of things, stopped at Aldi while I was over there and restocked on cereal and other items. Had a light lunch when I got back, and took a longer nap in the early afternoon. It was blazing hot outside. I changed the scooter oil in the afternoon, was hot in the garage but not unbearably so. The evening was a quiet one, I was unusually tired on this day, maybe from the effects of the earlier flu shot.
Thursday, October 1, 2026
10-01-2026 Ride
Woke up initially around 4:00 and then dozed off and on until a little before 6:00. Then I got up and got ready for a ride meeting Paula. It was cool at the outset, not quite cold but brisk riding down Aguamiel Rd. I wasn't in a big hurry, since she had left early and was planning on meeting me before the official meet-up spot. Rode down by the park and then over the pedestrian bridge to Via Rancho Pkwy, turning left and taking it, at moderate pace, up to Felicita Rd. Then it was up to Hamilton Ln, turning left and riding to Continental Ln and thus over to Gamble Ln via Calle Catalina. To the top of the hill, then over to Citracado Pkwy via Scenic Trails Way. I rode down the hill looking for Paula, spotted her coming up just after I passed Valley Pkwy. I waited for her to turn around, then we both rode down to Harmony Grove Village Pkwy and took it to Harmony Grove Rd. Then it was down to the turn onto Elfin Forest Rd. I was pushing a little harder than usual, and I gapped Paula. I slowed my pace a little bit before the turn, then took the climb up to San Elijo Hills at moderate pace, not scorching but steady. I waited for Paula to catch up just before we got into the village. There was a lot of morning traffic on the climb, and that road doesn't have much of a shoulder, so it wasn't ideal. We rode into the village through heavy traffic and then took San Elijo Rd down to Melrose Dr. This was a fast descent, and I was super cautious because of all the traffic as well as shadows on the road. Right on Melrose Dr, and I rode down to RSF Rd, not realizing that Paula's final route had us turning earlier. I waited for her at the intersection and called her when she didn't show. We then met up at the intersection of RSF Rd and Boulderidge Dr. Continued on RSF Rd until turning left on Redwing St, and then it was a lot of neighborhood riding. Redwing St to a right on Paseo Cerro and then a right on Paseo Descanso. Left on Carrillo Way and then a right on Melrose Dr, followed by a right shortly after onto Paseo Corto. Another quick right on Rancho Quartillo, which turned into Paseo Palero. We took a right on Rancho Milagro, a left on Paseo Monona, and another left on Paseo Valiente, followed by another left on Rancho Bravado. A right on Paseo Valindo got us out of the neighborhood onto Palomar Airport Rd / San Marcos Blvd, where we turned right and rode down the hill and then climbed to Viewpoint Dr, turning right there. A left turn on Lake Ridge Dr took us to Lodgepole Rd, where we turned left and rode back to RSF Rd. Shortly after we took a left on Lake San Marcos Dr, taking it to the more familiar San Marino Dr. Across the lake, where the street turned into San Pablo Dr. Paula was looking for a street that had an access path to the lake, and she found it in La Plaza Dr, although we had to ride to the end of the street and backtrack to find the path. We stopped there for a break, with a nice view of the lake, and I ate my banana and took a couple of pics. After the break we rode back to San Pablo Dr, turned left there and then right on San Julian Dr, which got us back to San Pablo Dr. We took a left there and then a right on La Noche Dr, and this got us out of the Lake San Marcos neighborhood. Took a right on Honeysuckle Dr and followed it around to Applewilde Dr, where we took another right and then a left on Poppy Rd. This got us to Foxhall Dr, where we turned right. Then it turned into Buckhorn Ave. Right turn on Iron Horse Dr, then a left on Orchid Ave. That got us to Santa Barbara Dr, which we rode up to a right turn onto Twin Oaks Valley Rd. I had to pee by this time, so I wasn't ready to go hard up this climb. Again, I put it in my lowest gear and spun my way to the top. It's a little less than 2 miles and about 350' to get to Double Peak Dr, and I didn't set any records on this day. Turned there and rode to Paula's street, Atherton St, turning there and riding to its end before turning around and riding back to Double Peak Dr. She was just coming up, so I turned around and met her at her house. Stopped to pee but not so much longer than that, as it was warming up and I still had miles to go. I rode down San Elijo Rd into the village, that's always a challenging descent, mainly because of traffic and shadows in the bike lane. Once I got onto Elfin Forest Rd, I basically followed my earlier route home, with the only changes being an examination of Mesa Grande Rd and Fantero Ave, off Citracado Pkwy, trying to find a linkage to the neighborhoods by Gamble Ln (no luck), and taking the freeway route over the lake. Was tired at the end, not a lot of push left in my legs when I got home.
Avg speed = 13.7 mph (13.8 mph). Total mileage = 44.9 mi
Avg power = 118 W. Weighted avg power = 158 W
Total elevation gain = 3560' (3490')
Avg heartrate = 112 bpm (Coospo)
Relative Effort = 54 (57)
Training Load = 186 (178)
Intensity = 72% (71%)
Got home, was there just a little bit before Ann left to get her COVID booster and then go to the beach. I watched some TV and ate lunch, had a very little nap as I dozed off while the TV was on. In the evening, after dinner, we drove down to The Comedy Store in La Jolla and watched a slate of comics perform 10-minute sets. Rob Fogarty had some tickets that he couldn't use, so he gave them to us. The show started a little after 8:00, first two comics were new and still working on their material and delivery. The next few got funnier and funnier, there were several good ones there. But we probably overstayed our visit because the last several (starting with the bartender from the club) were progressively less funny. Left around 10:30 and got home around 11:15.
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
09-30-2026 Ride
Woke up and got ready for a bike ride with John. I ended up leaving a little bit late, so I rode through the neighborhood, turned left on Matinal Rd, and took W Bernardo Dr to RB Rd. From there it was the normal way, including riding to the end of Briarleaf Way. Jayden and Vivian saw us off (Jayden and John had to race before we left). We headed back down the hill to Poway Rd, turned right, and rode up to Community Rd. Another right turn there, then we rode up the hill to Stowe Dr. I put my bike in its lowest gear and just chugged up, not pushing too hard. We took a left on Stowe Dr and rode up to Danielson St, turning left there. Up to Scripps-Poway Pkwy, turning left. I thought we were going to ride up the Purple Monster climb, but we turned off and took Sycamore Canyon Rd down the hill to Garden Rd. Back to Poway Rd, turning left and taking it to Midland Rd, where we turned right and rode to Aubrey St. Used it to get back to Community Rd, taking this back to Poway Rd and turning right. We then took a right on Tarascan Dr and started climbing. It got quite steep for a short distance after we turned left on Tuscarora Dr. Up to Cree Dr, where we turned left and then right on Papago Dr. This got us to Carriage Rd, where we turned right and followed it as it turned into Palisades Dr. This got us to Silverset St, which we passed as the street turned into Arbolitos Dr. This road turned into Celestial Rd, we turned right on Ring Rd and then left on McFeron Rd, which turned and dropped us onto Pomerado Rd. A left turn there got us going back to Scripps-Poway Pkwy, where we turned right. Again, I just put it in low gear and rode up the hill out of the saddle for much of the little climb. Back to John's house the normal way from there, again riding to the top of Briarleaf Way. Vivian made smoothies for us and gave me a dragon fruit. We talked about their fruit trees and vines and some about camping, both our recent trip and Vivian's previous experiences with camping in the desert. After the conversation I rode home the normal way via Bernardo Center Dr. Felt better on the last part of the ride than I had the previous week. For a route that John claimed had a lot of climbing, it really wasn't that much, just a couple of stretches that we had to negotiate.
Avg speed = 15.5 mph (15.6 mph). Total mileage = 38.9 mi
Avg power = 132 W. Weighted avg power = 161 W
Total elevation gain = 2080' (2200')
Avg heartrate = 114 (Coospo)
Relative Effort = 42 (46)
Training Load = 151 (156)
Intensity = 73% (75%)
Got home and had a little time to get ready for my volunteer shift at the hospital. I'd shaved earlier in the morning, so I showered and took some food with me. Ate lunch at the hospital, then started my shift. There were a couple of new staff there: Reuben (nurse, kinda clueless), Mackenzie (rotating nurse), and Francis (new med tech). I had some stretches of being pretty busy and some other lagging stretches, so it was kinda normal. Left on time (I'd gotten there a little early) and rode home. In the evening I watched some TV and read as well. I finished The Great Math War and have started Alastair Reynold's Halcyon Years, a mystery that takes place on a generational spaceship.
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
09-29-2026 Run
Slept okay, getting up in the night to pee and then waking up around 4:00 to peep again. I dozed off and on until 6:00,then got up and went for a four-mile run, basically and out-and-back heading north initially. I stretched a little more than usual, and that helped. Not a fast pace except for the last mile. It was cool, but the exertion had me sweating at the end.
Avg pace = 8:37/mi
Total distance = 4.01 mi
Elapsed moving time = 34:36
Avg heartrate = 124 bpm (Coospo)
Relative Effort = 9
I cooled down after I got back, Ann was still asleep. Did some more staging of stuff to pack into the car while she was sleeping, and I got the camping bins out as well. After she got up I got my stuff out of the tent and deflated the air mattress. Packed that up while she was making breakfast, then we ate French toast and had coffee along with it. Finished taking everything down and putting it by the car, then I loaded the stuff in while she cleaned the dishes and packed the blue bin. We left a little after 9:15 and avoided any traffic on the way home, a big relief. We unpacked the car and stowed the camping gear, we're basically done by 10:30.i watched a little TV in the late morning, then I finished the music file clean-up job I've been working on for several days. Also researched places to stay on our last bikepacking trip night, in Huntington Beach. In the afternoon I took a nap and worked on figuring out why I am having problems with my chain skipping on my Fuji. I think I traced it to a faulty QuickLink, so I replaced it, will see if that works. After dinner Ann and I watched TV. I read a fair amount in the afternoon and evening as well before turning in.
Monday, September 28, 2026
09-28-2026 Ride
Slept pretty well for a first night camping, having also had a late afternoon nap. I woke up after 4:00 and had a pee, then I got back to sleep after a bit, slept until around 7:00, which is unusual (<>). We got up, and I made breakfast (eggs and leftover grilled food, coffee, and leftover apple tart). I cleaned the dishes, and Ann dried and put them away. After that, I got ready for a bike ride. Earlier in the morning I had used Strava to make me a route from the beach to the restaurant where we were meeting Pat for lunch. For some obscure reason the route took me into the hills of San Clemente, including about 600' of climbing. I initially rode through the park to get to Avenida del President, turning left and riding to Avenida Mendocino, crossing over the freeway to ECR, turning left and heading to Avenida San Gabriel. The climbing started in earnest here and didn't let up for a while. Left turn on Avenida Salvador, climbing still. I got to the top and couldn't figure out where Strava wanted me to turn in the neighborhood, so I wandered around a couple of streets until starting the descent on Avenida Salvador to Avenida Presidio. Am pretty sure I rode this way with Pat before. That descent is thrilling, quite steep. I was unfamiliar enough with it that I kept braking to avoid taking too much speed into the turns. Turned left at the bottom of the hill on Avenida Pico and followed it to Calle Deschecha. That led me to the protected bike path running parallel to ECR. I was on my aero bars on this stretch, battling a quartering head wind. Then I rode through the parking lot by Doheny State Beach and on the nice streets through Doheny SP. I used Dana Point Harbor Dr to get to Golden Lantern St, climbed the short, steep hill to Del Prado Ave and turned left there, rode through downtown Dana Point and got on PCH. It's a little wavy here, so I alternated between climbing on the steeper sections and riding in aero position whenever possible. Strava wasn't so clear on where to turn, so I I initially missed the turn and ended up backtracking to get on Crown Valley Pkwy. More climbing here, nothing steep but some distance to it. Took this road up to Alicia Pkwy and turned left there. Some more gentle climbing and another missed turn, this time to get on the Aliso Creek Bikeway. This is a paved path with lots of curves, not super smooth either. Still, I rode in aero position when possible. I got off the path at Laguna Hills Dr, another little climb before a nice descent to Paseo de Valencia, where I turned right and rode downhill to the restaurant. Got there with some time to spare, so I rode to a nearby 7-Eleven and bought a Super Big Gulp to help cool down and rehydrate. Paula had borrowed my power pedals, so I used my MTB pedals and shoes instead no power data below.
Avg speed = 14.1 mph (14.3 mph). Total mileage = 24.5 mi
Avg power = 130 W (est.)
Total elevation gain = 1610' (1660')
Avg heartrate = 124 bpm (Coospo)
Relative Effort = 47 (49)
Ann showed up a little early, which allowed me to change before we headed into the restaurant, Heaven on a Fork. Pat was already there. It was fun catching up with him. He told us about his Grand Teton hike, which had 7000' of climbing and some sections where ropes, belays, and rappelling were required. Has been dealing with hip and knee issues, no surgery indicated as yet. We caught him up on our travels as well as Laura's wedding plans. After lunch we saw Pat's ride, a red Corvette. I thought he was kidding when I pointed it out and he said it was his. Crazy! So there is more to hear about the next time we get together, likely in December. Drove back to the campsite and chilled in the shade for a while. In late afternoon we walked down to the beach and headed north for a while before turning around and walking back. Tide was low but coming in. Showered after we got back, that felt refreshing. We snacked for dinner after the big lunch. Walked down to see the sunset, but there weren't clouds in the sky except right on the horizon. Anticlimactic. I put some of the camping gear up, including the vestibule and the solar lights (didn't put them up this time). The rest of the evening was quiet.
Sunday, September 27, 2026
09-27-2026 Swim
Slept for about 7 hours, not waking up, then I dozed in bed for a while before getting up a little after 5:00. I had some cereal for breakfast, then shaved. I next packed most of the camping gear in the car. After that was done I looked at places to stay in Malibu during our bikepacking trip. I selected a place and made a reservation for it, as well as two hotel rooms in Carpinteria. I also looked at some potential places for lunch on Monday with Pat and sent a list to Ann for her consideration. Did some music file work, then got ready for a swim at the WWC. There were only two people in the pool initially, others joined during my workout. I intended to swim 2000 yds in 500 yd intervals but got a little mixed up. Here is the workout I did:
500 at tempo pace, swimming faster in the second 250
9:13
500 with swim pads, working on arm and shoulder strength
9:14
500 with no swim aids
9:38
450 with pull buoy, intended it to be a 500 but forgot to turn my watch on for the first 200
8:34
250 with no swim aids, tired arms and inefficient stroke as a result
4:53
I definitely need more longer workouts, arms were quite tired by the end. Because I forgot to restart my watch I only recorded 2000 yds on Strava.
Avg pace = 1:53/100 yds (Video)
Total distance = 2200 yds (Video)
Elapsed moving time = 41:20 (Video)
Avg heartrate = 140 bpm (perhaps)
Relative Effort = 44 (maybe)
SWOLF = 37
Avg stroke rate = 22 bpm
Avg pull distance = 2.31 yds (was much lower later in the workout)
Got home and watched some TV while having a little more to eat. Did some music file work in the late morning and early afternoon, had a light lunch. I also watched a little TV. Finished packing my stuff and loaded it in the car, then loaded the food and some other bags in as well. The back of the car was pretty full. I put my bike on the roof bike rack, and we left home around 1:00. Ran into a little traffic on the way, slowing but not stopping. We got to San Clemente SB around 2:00. Ann helped set up the tent, so it went more quickly. We were done with camp set-up by about 3:00, relaxed for a while, including a nap (I was tired) before starting the grill around 5:30. Grilled food for dinner was tasty, but I was feeling a little out of sorts, can't explain exactly why. After dinner I cleaned the dishes, and Ann prepared a Dutch oven dessert with apples and puff pastry. She managed the baking as well. It was tasty. After that we secured the campsite and got in the tent. Even with the nap I didn't read that long before getting to sleep.
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