8-30-09 Rides

Time trial loop, starting from home, with John and Dave. I didn't really push the pace for any significant lengths of time. Tried to help John set a PB, but I got behind him and Dave going up to the hospital and couldn't catch up on my tired legs. Riding time of 54:50.

Total mileage = 23.1 mi.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/san-diego/854917700575

In the afternoon, Joe called and asked if I was interested in a ride. I said sure, why not, so we met at church in the afternoon and took off via Juniper to Sunset, then down to BVP and over to check out the Orfila Winery off of San Pasqual Rd. Then we headed over to Via Rancho Pkwy, which Joe was willing to climb up to Del Dios. Yikes, it was hot. I took it really slow, even after the turn onto Del Dios, where there is the mild climb for another half mile or so. After that, it was mostly downhill and flat. The ride didn't take a long time, but it was strenuous, given the temperature and having ridden fairly hard earlier in the day. Felt better at the end of the ride in my legs than at the beginning.

Average speed = 14.7 mph. Total mileage = 14.7 mi.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/escondido/724125212200445879

8-29-09 Ride

Ride from home with Dave, after a week off (Laura up to school to start her sophomore year). It had been hot over the last couple of days, so I was looking for the ride to be hot, even with an early morning start. Headed over to BVP and went up to Valley Pkwy, which we took over to Lake Wohlford Rd and up this grade. According to MapMyRide.com, this climb has some 8-9% grades in it, and I think they are mainly in the first mile. Tough, since I hadn't been riding. Got up it okay, but it was a chore. Through the rolling terrain to Woods Valley Rd, which we took back to Valley Center Rd and headed back to Escondido. This road is an excellent downhill, nearly 3 mi, and the road is now in good shape. Took a right on El Norte Pkwy and headed down to Centre City Pkwy, which we followed through town. We heard and saw the end of a pretty bad car accident at Grand and Centre City, where a pickup smashed into an SUV and caused it to flip over. Luckily, nobody was hurt, although it got my adrenaline pumping. We had the wind at our backs on the way back home, and that helped a fair amount. For much of the ride, I sat on Dave's wheel and let him do more of the work. Finished okay, I was tired but not sore.

Average speed = 18.0 mph. Total mileage = 35.8 mi.
http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/ca/san%20diego/351125156789917394

8-16-09 Ride

Sunday morning time trial loop, starting from home, with Dave, John, and Jim. It was good to have all four riders out on the road. Both Dave and I took it easy, making sure we kept around either John or Jim. I don't remember my time, but it was probably in the 57-58 minute range.

Total mileage = 23.1 mi.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/san-diego/854917700575

8-15-09 Ride

Ride from home over to Dave's house, where we took off up Espola to Twin Peaks, down to Community, and over to Poway Rd. Up Poway Rd to the 67, then down toward Lakeside. We turned on Vigilante/Moreno and followed it to its end at Willow Rd, where we turned around and went back up the 67. The first part was grueling as always, but I felt pretty strong and didn't really fade when I reached the middle flat part. Kept up a good, steady pace on the second uphill section. Turned left on Scripps-Poway Pkwy and went down to Community, which we took over to Poway Rd. West on Poway Rd, then we turned left on Pomerado and headed up to the top. The short hill here was a grinder but at a fairly steady pace. Right on Cypress Canyon and over to Angelique/Springhurst, which we took to Sabre Springs Pkwy. Still feeling pretty strong. Headed over to Ted Williams Pkwy on this road. Dave took the lead here, but I passed him near the turn and headed on up to the light at Pomerado. We turned here and headed back to his house. There was a small group of cyclists that started riding when we passed them, so Dave dropped the hammer (what was left of it, at this point in the ride) and we smoked them going up to the top at the hospital. Down to his place at the usual fast pace. Stopped at his house for a juice then headed home via the normal route. Even on this last leg, I felt strong, with no muscle tightness or cramps. Muscles were tired afterward but not particularly sore.

Odometer = 9988.6 mi
Average speed = 16.5 mph. Total mileage = 52.1 mi.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/san-diego/668125036808979058

8-9-09 Ride

Sunday morning time trial loop, starting from home. John was back riding this loop for the first time in a long time, and it was great riding with him. We took it easy on the ride, keeping generally up with him except for the climbs. I was glad for the break from a hard pace, since my legs were tired from the previous day. Even still, our pace was decent, and John set a new PR. Riding time of 55:00.

Total mileage = 23.1 mi.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/san-diego/854917700575

8-8-09 Ride

Ride with Dave from home out by the park and up Pomerado all the way to Scripps-Poway Pkwy, which we took up to the 67. I hadn't ridden this hill in some time, and I felt like I really had to spin to get up it, in lowest gear. I didn't have to get out of the saddle, but it wasn't my fastest time by far. North on 67 to Highland Valley Rd, which we took back to Pomerado. The downhill after Mt. Woodson was fun, and the climb to the high point on Highland Valley Rd wasn't bad at all. As always, this downhill was a blast. I was tired but not sore as we crossed the I-15 on Pomerado and climbed the short hill before the park. I motored up this hill and kept up a good pace all the way home, including a steady final push up Aguamiel. I was gassed at the end but feeling generally good. Dave was toasted at the bottom of the hill before the park and finished in a struggle.

Average speed = 17.6 mph. Total mileage = 39.4 mi.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/san-diego/464124987533575867

8-6-09 Ride

Solo ride from home up through Escondido to Deer Springs, then back Twin Oaks Valley Pkwy to Mission and over to San Marcos Blvd via Las Posas. Down this road all the way to the coast, then I headed south to Encinitas Blvd, where I turned and met up with the church beach group at Moonlight Beach. The wind was at my back in the early part of the right, then it appeard to shift into a northwesterly direction, which had me fighting it up to Deer Springs and down to the coast. I had given blood the previous day, and I think this factored into me feeling at a low energy level. I felt stronger toward the end, probably because I had a general following wind riding down PCH. I was sure glad to be done, although I was more tired than sore.

Average speed = 17.7 mph. Total mileage = 35.3 mi.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/-san-diego/951124973690239218

8-2-09 Ride

Ride from home over to Dave's house for the Sunday morning time trial loop. Dave and I stayed together all the way to the uphill to Poway Rd. Dave breezed down the hill, and I had to catch up, then he couldn't keep up with me on the rest of Poway Rd. A little bit of separation on Sabre Springs Pkwy, then we stayed pretty much together the rest of the ride. I separated somewhat after turning onto Pomerado, but I think it was more because he got slowed by lights. We stayed together the rest of the way. I felt okay in this ride, but I must have been tired from the previous day's ride. Riding time of 53:24.

Total mileage = 23.1 mi.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/san-diego/854917700575

8-1-09 Ride

Solo ride in the morning from home (Dave had house chores), out Bear Valley Pkwy to E Valley Pkwy, then right on Lake Wohlford Rd. After you make the turn heading north, the next mile is pretty steep, but the second mile is nowhere near as bad. There is a false flat near the top that is kind of a pain, then it's rolling hills as the road follows the lake. It's gradually uphill then, with a short steep section before it connects with Woods Valley Rd. Took this road, which has a nice, gradual downhill all the way to Valley Center Pkwy, where I headed right and connected with Lilac Road. This section of the ride was flat to downhill until I turned onto Old Castle Rd, where it had an uphill section of less than a mile, followed by a great downhill and flat section all the way to Old 395. Turned left and followed this all the way back through Escondido and home by the park. I kept a fairly steady pace going up the grade to Deer Springs, not letting my speed drop below 10 mph; even though I felt tired, my legs were in good shape. Started feeling more tired through Escondido, but luckily it was generally downhill. Finished strong, with no muscle cramping and just some leg tiredness at the end.

Average speed = 17.4 mph. Total mileage = 45.1 mi.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/-san-diego/455124916775556856