05-20-2026 Ride

Leisurely wake-up in the morning (<!>). I came downstairs, Mark was already up and enjoying the nice, cool weather out on the back patio. I made pancakes for the three of us, they turned out well. We all chatted some after breakfast, then Mark and I got ready for a ride down along the coast. We drove down to the Moonlight Beach parking lot after packing the bikes and gear. When we got down there, Mark realized that he had forgotten to put his helmet in the car, and he was bummed about it. I was ready to buy another helmet at a nearby bike shop, but he had the idea of finding a nearby Walmart to get one. So we drove to the store in inland Leucadia, where he went in and bought a cheap helmet. We drove back to the parking lot and started from there, riding through the neighborhood to PCH and then heading north. I took care on all of the little climbs to slow way down and not put him into the hurt zone. We rode through Leucadia and into Carlsbad, where I found a nice little cafe to stop at and have coffee. We had another long, enjoyable conversation about various topics and stories from the past (a lot about Mark's motorcycling days). Had a restroom break at the end, and he seemed ready to keep going further up the coast, so we rode PCH into Oceanside, turning left on Vista Way to get to Broadway St, taking it to Cassidy St and turning left there. We took Myers St to Pacific St and rode by Jed's neighborhood until we were forced to make a detour east due to road construction. Got past the construction and back onto Pacific St, taking it all the way to Harbor Dr and following that road to its end. All good up to this point, but when we turned around and started heading back I could see that Mark had slowed down on the flats. So I slowed down accordingly. We rode back the way we came, dropping down to The Strand road to avoid the construction and stopping at its end for a picture before using Wisconsin Ave to get back to Pacific St. We retraced our route from there back to Broadway St and then got onto PCH via the usual Eaton St. From here it was fairly slow going. I dialed my pace way back to keep together, and we rode back through Carlsbad, stopping at a public toilet on the little climb up before South Carlsbad SB for a restroom break. I passed him an energy gel at this stop, he looked like he needed it. He was pretty tired by this point but was a trooper, and we kept going. Slowly back up into Leucadia and through this town. I was happy to see the descent to Encinitas Blvd, and we rode up the subsequent climb slowly, turning right on D St. We were essentially done by this point, so I took him over to show him the house with the two boats out front. Then we rode back to the parking lot to finish the ride.

Avg speed = 14.1 mph. Total mileage = 29.2 mi

Avg power = 94 W. Weighted avg power = 105 W

Total elevation gain = 640'

Avg heartrate = 105 bpm (Coospo)

Relative Effort = 21

Training Load = 54

Intensity = 48%

https://www.strava.com/activities/18590426666

Got back in the car after loading the bikes and gear and started for home, taking the freeway initially but getting off at Del Mar Heights Rd to avoid traffic on the 56 and I-15. He was quiet on the return trip but started to recover his energy, so all was good. We got back home, and Ann had started the charcoal for grilling. I changed quickly and then grilled the vegetables, chicken, and tofu before grabbing a shower. Emily and Caleb came over for dinner, it was Caleb's first time meeting somebody from my side of the family. We ate on the patio, and it was a very nice time, funny stories and catching up among everybody. Emily made chocolate peanut butter squares, and they were fantastic. They left around the usual time because of Caleb's work schedule, and I sat with Mark for a while before turning in myself. He recovered quickly from the ride and was his usual self in the evening, which I was glad about.

05-19-2026 Ride

Woke up and helped Ann make lemon scones with dried cherries for breakfast. I drank regular coffee, and that jazzed me up for the day. Nice leisurely pace to breakfast, then Mark and I got ready for a short bike ride. I had set up my Fuji for him, put his pedals and his smartwatch mount on, and away we went. We rode down by the park and then over to Highland Valley Rd, where I thought the relative lack of cars and flat terrain would be suitable. He was a little freaked out by the lack of a bike lane as well as the large number of blind curves. We rode to the base of the first climb, turned around and rode back to Pomerado Rd. He was working hard on that last little climb up to the stoplight, so we paused after the turn for him to catch his breath and get his heartrate down. I tried to get him to stay in a low gear and spin on the uphill sections, and as we rode up Pomerado Rd he started to get it (it took some time to adjust to this riding style). We rode up to Twin Peaks Rd, where I planned to stop at the Starbucks by Target, but it has closed. So we looped through the parking lot, got back on Pomerado Rd, and took it down to the corner of RB Rd, where we pulled into that parking lot and stopped for coffee at that Starbucks. Was a nice break, good conversation, very light and rich with shared and sharing experiences. We spent a fairly long time there before riding back home the standard way via Bernardo Center Dr.

Avg speed = 13.8 mph. Total mileage = 18.0 mi

Avg power = 97 W. Weighted avg power = 115 W

Total elevation gain = 860'

Avg heartrate = 105 bpm (Coospo)

Relative Effort = 13

Training Load = 41

Intensity = 52%

https://www.strava.com/activities/18572366090

Got back and had sandwiches for lunch with Ann. We chatted in the early afternoon, then took a break during mid-afternoon to rest up for the evening. Left for the Padres-Dodgers game around 5:00 and ran into unexpected traffic, which was kinda frustrating. We parked at Horton Plaza and walked to Petco Park, which was quite crowded. Got up to our seats as the Star Spangled Banner was being sung, so we didn't miss any of the game. It was a good game, but the better team won, unfortunately. Took quite a long time for us to get out of the ballpark, and even then the streets were crowded until we got several blocks away. Traffic out of the city wasn't as bad as we ran into after the P!NK concert. Got home before 11:00, straight to bed after a long, very good day.

05-18-2026 Run

Slept well and a little longer than usual, mainly because I went to sleep early. Got up a little after 6:00 and rode down to the park for a run. I had negative splits until mile 4, then ran my fastest mile at the end. Stretched a little bit before the run, could have stretched more. Right leg was okay, but I was cautious about stressing it, especially on the little climb up to the stoplight.

Avg pace = 8:13/mi

Total distance = 5.01 mi

Elapsed Moving Time = 41:12

Avg heartrate = 131 bpm (Coospo)

Relative Effort = 17

https://www.strava.com/activities/18555144203

Had a little time after I got home. Took a shower and got ready to drive down to the airport to pick up Mark. Ann came with me, which was a nice surprise. We got down there a little after 9:00, waited in the cell phone lot by Terminal 2 until he was off the plane, then we drove over (only one loop around while waiting for him) to Terminal 1 and got him. Drove home after that, he got settled in. A little later we went out to lunch. I was planning on going to Sab E Lee, but Ann found it was closed on Mondays, so we went to Urban Thai instead. Food was okay, service wasn't so great, and my mock duck pieces were overcooked. After lunch Mark wanted some coffee, so we went to Mostra, where she and I had hot chocolate. Then we drove home and chatted throughout the rest of the afternoon about a lot of topics. Spaghetti for dinner, then more lighthearted talk and laughter in the evening.

05-17-2026 Ride

Woke up early, around 5:00, with just enough sleep to be ready for a ride with Paula, who drove over to the house to start from here. I also cleaned the kitchen before I left, more breakfast dishes waiting for me when I got home. She showed up and we had a quick look at her bike to see what might be causing the chain skipping she occasionally sees. I adjusted the position of the rear derailleur, and we got ready to leave. Down by the park, across the pedestrian bridge, then taking Via Rancho Pkwy west to Bernardo Ln, turning right there. I'd never been up this little climb, and it turned out to be not as steep as I thought it would be. We then rode down Bernardo Ave to Gamble Ln, turning left and riding up into the neighborhood at the top of the hill. This road has a couple of quite steep pitches near the top, but we made it okay. We used Scenic Trail Way to get over to Citracado Pkwy and took that west, past Valley Pkwy and down to Harmony Grove Village Pkwy. Used that to get to Harmony Grove Rd, then enjoyed the general downhill ride to the turn onto Elfin Forest Rd. We stayed together on this stretch, then I got out in front on the climb up toward San Elijo Hills. I waited at the top of the climb for Paula, then we rode together into the village, turning on San Elijo Rd and riding down just past the gas station, stopping there to take a picture by the fountain. We continued on to RSF Rd, turning left and riding up this little climb. Near the top, we turned off onto a gravel path that got us over to Old RSF Rd, which has been turned into a bike and pedestrian path. This got us down to La Costa Ave, where we turned left and rode to Calle Timiteo, turning right and taking it to Camino de Los Coches, where we turned right and got back to RSF Rd. Left turn there and then a right on Calle Barcelona, followed by a right on Paseo Almendro. We then took a bunch of neighborhood streets to get over to ECR, where we turned right at the turn where Catalin had crashed into Eric on a previous ride. We rode up to the entrance to the La Costa Omni resort and turned right, riding through the main resort center to get to Estrella de Mar Rd, which we took through the neighborhood, across Alga Rd, and then to Poinsettia Ln. We stopped briefly before this turn, then continued on up to Melrose Dr, turning left and then taking a right on Rancho Bravado followed by a left on Paseo Valindo to get to Palomar Airport Rd. A right turn there and a short stretch up to White Sands Dr, where we turned left and stopped shortly after for pictures and another break. This road descends, then climbs at 7-8% until a left turn onto Coast Ave, where the climb continues at 8-9% until the summit. Then we descended to Island Dr, which dropped us back onto RSF Rd. We rode up to the right turn on Camino del Arroyo Dr, which took us into the Lake San Marcos neighborhood (a favorite of Paula's). Left on Hermosita Dr and then another left on San Marino Dr to ride over the bridge across the lake to get to San Pablo Dr, where we turned left. A subsequent right turn to stay on San Pablo Dr until we turned left on La Noche Dr to get over to McMahr Rd, where a left turn got us to Discovery St. We took this to Barham Dr, past CSUSM, turning right on La Moree Rd to do the little climb and descent on this road and get back to Barham Dr. We turned right there and took it to Mission Rd, another right turn and then a third right onto Auto Park Way. We climbed up to Citracado Pkwy, turned right there and continued the climb past the hospital, then stayed on this road until turning right onto Valley Pkwy. Paula was slowing down more than I was by this time, so I was creating gaps whenever we were climbing. We turned right and rode down to Via Rancho Pkwy, then rode home from there the normal way via the pedestrian bridge, stopping briefly at the Chevron station for a break where Paula had something to eat before tackling the last two little climbs back to the house. Was a good ride, just about ideal temperature. The sun also basically stayed behind the clouds, which was helpful. Still, I was tired the previous day, so I didn't set many records on this ride.

Avg speed = 13.6 mph. Total mileage = 45.8 mi

Avg power = 116 W. Weighted avg power = 154 W

Total elevation gain = 3720'

Avg heartrate = 109 bpm (Coospo)

Relative Effort = 49

Training Load = 185

Intensity = 70%

https://www.strava.com/activities/18546290655

Got home, had a few little snacks and watched some Giro coverage before using the wet-vacuum to clean the downstairs floors. I also did a second kitchen cleaning. That took me to lunchtime, I was more hungry by this time. Relaxed and had a little nap in the early afternoon, then I went out in the front yard and tracked down three broken drip sprinklers and a fourth non-operational one. I also respliced the electrical wires for sprinkler line 1. That was enough sprinkler maintenance for one day for me. Later, I cleaned and rewaxed chain #2 for my Canyon. Watched more Giro coverage before dinner, then some TV as well. After dinner I did the dishes and cleaned the kitchen counters. I also figured out how to reconnect my electronic shifting to my Wahoo so it displays the selected gear. Had a shower as well, it was about time. The rest of the evening was quiet.

05-16-2026 Ride

Woke up after decent, albeit shortened, sleep. I woke up earlier but got back to sleep until about 6:00. Got ready for a Bisikleta ride where I was the route planner. Through the neighborhood, saw Rob walking near his house (Isabelle is in Canada traveling with Juliette) and stopped to chat with him. He looks washed out and said he was working through health issues, unspecified. I took the Ralph's Ranch Rd route through 4S Ranch, got to Target and Rob T had just arrived. Others started showing up, Kamal was late. On this ride we had the following riders: Jed, Arnold, Rob T, Fritz, Nel, Charlie, and Kamal. So, a decent turnout for a challenging ride. We rode CdS to Dove Canyon Rd, took it to RB Rd, then used Matinal Rd to get to W Bernardo Dr. Down by the park and over to Highland Valley Rd, where we turned. We were basically together to the base of the first climb, which separated us. I got to the top first, but Arnold and Jed weren't too far back. We gathered there, then continued. I decided to ride to the normal stopping point from there, Arnold was about two minutes behind me. The others followed, and Charlie commented on the challenge of this climb. Felt okay on this climb, I tried to After everybody got there we rode to the 67, Fritz and I out in front. We turned left and rode into Ramona. I thought my route led us to a coffee shop but it didn't work out. I eventually turned around and led the group back to the liquor store where we had stopped when we did a similar ride in 2024. Break was longer than I wanted. Was near the back when we started retracing our route, but I caught up and got out front to make sure we all made the turn back onto Highland Valley Rd. Charlie was complaining of a cramp, so I hung back with him while the others rode away. Did the gradual climb on the way back, Nel had a chain issue on the last little climb, so I waited as he cleared it up. Four of us - Kamal, Nel, Charlie, and I - were at the back, generally together as we started the descent. I passed them and then waited before Cordiano Winery to make sure all were okay. Then we rode down to the flats, and again I waited for all to show up. I rode with these four riders back to Pomerado Rd, where the others were waiting. Again I hung back to make sure the riders with tired legs were supported. Caught up with the other riders on the climb to the park, where Rob had to stop for a bio break. He and I were in the back of the group as we climbed up W Bernardo Dr and RB Rd. I caught up with Nel, in the lead of the trailing group as we crested that last climb, and I waited at Via del Campo for Charlie and Kamal. When Charlie showed up he and I continued until we saw Rob stopped on the side of the road past Camino San Bernardo. His over layer had fallen out of his jersey and jammed into his rear wheel, and he went over the handlebars. He was banged up but surprisingly not significantly injured. He bike was also basically okay. Kamal had shown up, so he waited with Rob while Charlie and I rode back to Target to pick up Rob's car and bring it back to him. Fritz and Jed also drove back with us to check on Rob. His left shoulder had taken a big hit without breaking his collarbone or causing a separation. No head contact with the pavement, another lucky occurrence. Jed checked him out and gave him the green light to drive. Fritz stayed with Rob for a while to make sure he was okay, while the rest of us split. I rode home slowly, adrenaline rush over.

Avg speed = 15.4 mph. Total mileage = 49.2 (+2) mph

Avg power = 139 W. Weighted avg power = 170 W

Total elevation gain = 3490'

Avg heartrate = 124 bpm (Coospo)

Relative Effort = 86

Training Load = 216

Intensity = 77%

https://www.strava.com/activities/18533390144

It's never good when a rider goes down on one of our rides. I'm so glad that this wasn't worse than it ended up. Had a quiet afternoon, including a little nap. In the late afternoon we drove down to Logan Heights to the Logan Multicultural Complex to see a couple of Fringe Festival shows. BTW, this venue had three theaters going, along with free snacks, so it was a winner. The first show, Lady Satan, featured Peyton Ashby, a trans woman who used a mixture of burlesque dancing, narrative, and audio/video clips to state her case about the rights of trans people, focusing on trans women. It was a little amateurish in the dancing, but she warmed up during the show in the message she was conveying, and it was overall an interesting and worthwhile experience. Then we saw GULP!, starring Prith Khalsa. This was a more renowned show, extremely innovative and weird in its presentation of a man who falls in love with a banana, telling their life story through narrative, comedy, and physicality. It had its weird moments, but Mr Khalsa really knows how to work an audience, and they were quite participative (lots of other Fringe Festival performers in the audience). It would be hard to describe to others, but the experience was well worth it. Ann was tired of sitting after this show, and I was ready to go as well, so she drove us home. Didn't take long for me to get to sleep.

05-15-2026 Swim

Slept okay, although I did wake up during the night and read for a bit (<>). Got ready for a swim at the WWC and headed over there. Swam 1500 yds basically without stopping (brief pause after first 500), and here are the splits for the three 500s: 9:16, 9:30, 9:31. I kept my stroke count under 20, was 18 for the first 500 and then 19 for the last two. Tried to keep my form consistent throughout the swim, was modestly successful.

Avg pace = 1:53/100 yds (Video)

Total distance = 1500 yds

Elapsed moving time = 28:17 (Video)

Avg heartrate = 148 bpm (could be)

Relative Effort = 35 (possibly)

SWOLF = 36

Avg stroke rate = 19 bpm

Avg pull distance = 2.55 yds

https://www.strava.com/activities/18519198464

Came home and had some pretzels and yogurt for breakfast. Then I cleaned the kitchen dishes and made some coffee. Did some computer clean-up work in the morning. After lunch I went out in the front yard and trimmed the large bush on the western side of the property. This is never a fun job. I also trimmed the two bushes by the garage. Then I took my Fuji off the trainer, gave it a cleaning, and adjusted the seat height to be more suitable for Mark. Continued some clean-up of Google Photos to reduce the space they are occupying. Had a little nap in mid-afternoon. In the late afternoon we drove down to Mira Mesa to have dinner at a banh mi place. It was just okay, a pale imitation of the places in Vietnam. The French fries were good, too many in the order for one person. Then I drove us downtown to the P!NK Curebound concert. The show started a little late, but there was no opening act, and she hit the ground running. A very fun show. Our seats were partially obstructed, and the stage was quite far away. So we ended up watching the concert mainly from the big screens. Her two acrobatic routines during the show were pretty amazing for a 47 year-old. I recognized nearly all the songs from my listening to her top hits playlist on Spotify. Good show. It was slow getting out of Petco Park because of the crowds, and traffic out of downtown was also congested. We got home around 11:40, didn't take long for me to get to sleep.

05-14-2026 Ride

Planned another longer ride, leaving pretty early (a little before 6:00) in an attempt to get miles in before meeting John and Brooke for coffee. Through the neighborhood and then the extended route through the 4S Ranch neighborhood, pushing steadily but not super hard. To CdS, which I took to the 56 bike path. Then I followed the bike path down to CVR and then to the coast. On this stretch I was debating whether I would have time to get to the top of Torrey Pines before I needed to turn around. I decided I would, took the outside route and put in a pretty good effort. Still, I was over a minute slower than my fastest time ever, so I am definitely slowing down as I get older. Sobering. Got to the top and turned right around to ride back down and retrace my route all the way back to the turn onto CVR. I made decent time on the flat section, then slowed down as I started climbing up to Black Mountain Rd. I had less energy than I thought I would. Go to the top of this climb and decided to try and ride home instead of meeting them directly at the HP site. Down the hill and up Dove Canyon Rd to get back to RB Rd. I was still slow here, rode back home through the neighborhood and got there around 8:45.

Avg speed = 16.1 mph. Total mileage = 42.3 mph

Avg power = 132 W. Weighted avg power = 164 W

Total elevation gain = 2710'

Avg heartrate = 117 bpm (Coospo)

Relative Effort = 51

Training Load = 155

Intensity = 75%

https://www.strava.com/activities/18505783489

Time for a quick change, then I rode my scooter over to the site. Of course, I was early, since the meeting time was 9:30, not 9:00, as I thought. Oh well! I got a coffee and relaxed there until they showed up. John brought donuts, which was a nice little surprise. All of the time was devoted to Brooke giving us updates about the site move and EER (Phil, Paul B., Fereshteh, Tayo, Donna). I am so glad I didn't have to deal with any of that noise. Had lunch and a quiet early afternoon, watching some TV. Then I did some bike maintenance: sorting out and throwing away old worn-out disc brake pads, installing a set of pads on my front disc brakes with a little life left in them (some rubbing), deflating and reinflating my rear tire to seat the tire bead better, taking the aero bars off my Fuji, and charging a derailleur battery. In the evening, after dinner, I reinstalled chain #3 (with two QuickLinks) on the Canyon.Was a quiet evening after that.