2-28-09 Ride

Solo ride from home out through Escondido and Centre City Pkwy out to Old Castle Rd. Headed out this road to Lilac Rd and took it to Valley Center Rd. Headed south and turned left on Woods Valley, then headed back up to Lake Wohlford Rd. Back through the village and down the grade. This is a great, long downhill with little braking needed. Back Valley Pkwy to Bear Valley Pkwy, then home the normal route. Felt pretty good throughout the ride, although the middle part, from Old Castle to Lake Wohlford, seemed like it was almost entirely uphill.
Average speed = 17.4 mph. Total mileage = 46.7 mi.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/san-diego/436932637756

2-26-09 Ride

Exercise bike at work on Fitness Program 1 for 30 min at level 9.

2-22-09 Rides

Morning time trial loop with Dave, starting and ending at home. It sprinkled a little bit right at the start of the ride, but the rain never came. Weather was cloudy and fairly cool all day. On the ride, Dave was feeling under the weather, so I kept pace with him the entire time, except for a couple of uphill sections. Sometime during the ride, my right cleat lost a screw, and I couldn't release my shoe from the pedal. This slowed me down somewhat. Finished the ride in 56:20, with no place where I really pushed the pace.
Total mileage = 23.1 mi.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/san-diego/854917700575

This was the day of the RB-to-Escondido stage of the Amgen Tour of California. I repaired my cleat when I got home then rode over to the start area by Von's. It was interesting, but I couldn't stay long enough to see any of the riders.

Drove over to the Von's by Joe's house, then we met up and rode up El Norte to Valley Pkwy and up Lake Wohlford Rd to watch the riders come through. It was a really fun scene, with a lot of cyclists and other watchers hanging out to enjoy the spectacle. When the riders came by, I took some pictures and was amazed at how fast they were going up that hill. Joe and I then rode back down Valley Pkwy to downtown Escondido and walked through the crowds around the finish line, watching the race in progress on an outdoor screen. I rode home after awhile, then picked up my car later on from the Von's parking lot.
Average speed = 15.2 mph. Total mileage = 20.1 mi.
Odometer setting = 8706 mi.
http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/ca/escondido/340730783947

2-21-09 Ride

Ride with Dave (John still recovering from a sinus cold that knocked him out for the week). We left from home, took a quick ride up to Jim's to see if he was riding (no), then headed out by the park to Highland Valley Rd and up all the way to the 67, then we turned around and headed back. I was feeling okay, although the really steep parts of the climb on the way out were tough. Felt really strong on the way back, perhaps we had a small tailwind. Dave was battling a runny nose and probably the onset of a cold, so he lagged behind on the climbs.
Average speed = 16.4 mph. Total mileage = 31.2 mi.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/san-diego/570557976672

2-19-09 Ride

Solo ride from home after work on the short loop out to Pomerado/Twin Peaks and back. Felt okay, although I sensed that my heartrate was higher than normal. A little slower than I would have liked on the climb up Twin Peaks to I-15, but otherwise it was a good ride. Some cramping in my calves and feet after the ride but nothing painful.
Average speed = 17.8 mph. Total mileage = 12.6 mi.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/san-diego/256285488636

2-14-09 Ride - Tour de Palm Springs

Drove in the morning to Palm Springs, picking up Joe at his house on the way. We got a little lost around San Jacinto, but we quickly got back on the right route. Arrived about 30 min before the ride and picked up our wristbands. Met up with John, who was staying in Palm Springs with May. The crowd of riders leaving at the same time as us was big, so it wasn't until ~8:15 before we started. The first few miles were slow, as we navigated through all of the slower riders. When we made the turn out by the windmills, it was into the teeth of a pretty strong wind and gradually uphill. This part of the ride was the most strenuous, but it wasn't too bad. Passing all other riders. Got up to the top of the climb and waited for John and Joe to catch up. The rest of the ride was a mix of downhill and minor climbs. We stopped at each of the sag stops to reconnect, as well as at a couple of other intersections. After the initial climb section, John and rode together the rest of the way, although at the very end, he had a lot more gas in the tank than I did, and he separated from me a little bit. Finished the ride in 2:58:40, and, boy, was I glad to be done. No soreness, just lack of drive in my quads. Joe was slower, but he finished in great shape and was really glad that he did the ride. Had lunch at a small Thai restaurant, then Joe and I drove back home. I made a couple of wrong turns but no great problems. I think I was just really tired. Overall, it was a very good day, with just a little difficulty at the very end. Average speed = 18.9 mph. Total mileage = 56.5 mi. http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/palm-springs/837411655551

2-11-09 Ride

Exercise bike at work on Fitness Program 1 for 30 min at level 9.

2-7-09 Ride

Ride with John Hellgeth, John, and Dave. Started from home and rode over to Dave's to meet the others. It was raining fairly steadily on the way over, with a couple of heavier spots. It was clear at Dave's, and we headed down Pomerado to Poway Rd. Felt decent early in the ride. Turned onto Poway and went over to the 56 bike trail. Going up the hill at Rancho Penasquitos, I was working hard. Got onto the bike trail, where it was wet but not really raining. On the slight downhill sections, I couldn't keep up with John and Dave, and my heartrate was higher than normal. Toward the end of the bike trail, John Hellgeth fell coming around a bend in the trail and scraped up his knee pretty badly. We stopped at an AM/PM for a first aid break, then we headed up El Camino Real, taking it nice and slow. Up to Del Mar Heights, then over to Carmel Valley Rd, which we followed all the way to Bernardo Center Dr. John and Dave rode ahead, and I hung back with John Hellgeth to make sure he was okay. We went Lomica over to Higa Pl, then back to Dave's house. I went home via Pomerado Rd by the park. Was able to motor up the short hill just beyond the freeway at a pretty fast clip. Finished feeling good, but I had taken it easy, particularly in the latter half of the ride.
Average speed = 15.5 mph. Total mileage = 39.4 mi
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/san-diego/935431162478

2-4-09 Ride

Exercise bike at work on Fitness Program 1 for 30 min at level 9.

2-1-09 Ride

Ride from home over to Dave's house, then the time trial loop with Dave and John. I started out at a brisk but not too rapid pace, then Dave and I traded leads up Espola until the turn south, when he fell back. The weather was pretty good, maybe a little cold. Fast on Poway Rd, and I started fast on Sabre Springs but faded just before Ted Williams Pkwy. Steady pace up TW. On Pomerado, I started fast but not too fast, then really tried to push it after passing the hospital. There was a headwind, which slowed me down somewhat. Total time for the time trial loop was 54:54, which was ~1 min off my fastest time.
Total mileage = 23 mi.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/san-diego/854917700575