1-31-10 Rides

Time trial ride in the morning with John and Dave. It was very foggy during the ride, particularly the section on Espola. Started fairly slow but kept a steady pace throughout. Could have gone faster up the section on Sabre Springs Pkwy and Ted Williams Pkwy. Pushed it at the end and finished in 53:38.

Total mileage = 23.1 mi
Total elevation gain = 820'
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/san-diego/854917700575

Ride from church in the afternoon over to Joe's house via Broadway to Village, then rode with him up Old Castle Rd. It started out warm, and this part of the ride was a fairly comfortable temperature, although I was slower from the morning ride. Got to Valley Center Rd and turned left, intending to go out past Valley View Casino to Lake Wohlford. We got to the intersection, but I had very little energy left. It was also cooling down, and I was a little chilly. I was really hungry, so we turned around and headed back into Valley Center and stopped at a market. I got a Snickers and a Gatorade and felt much better after we had rested for a while. Back into Escondido to El Norte Pkwy, which we took down to Broadway, then split up. I headed back to church. For future afternoon rides, I need to eat something about an hour before I go, so I don't bonk like this time.

Average speed = 16.2 mph. Total mileage = 39.8 mi.
Total elevation gain = 1680'
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/escondido/278126503952365067

1-30-2010 Ride

Ride with John and Dave starting from John's house. Dave rode over. Headed down Scripps-Poway Pkwy to Mercy Rd, then over to Black Mountain Rd. Took this down to Miramar Rd, then headed west to Genesee Rd. Took this road all the way to Linda Vista. There were several low spots on this road that were cool, but all in all the ride was fairly mild in temperature. Started at about 45 degrees. Up Linda Vista to Aero Dr, then a short jaunt over to Kearny Villa Rd, which we took all the way back to Miramar/Pomerado Rd. I separated from the others on the climbs and kept with them in pace line for most of the ride until by the Marine base, where John started to fall back and it was just me and Dave trading leads. Felt fairly strong going up Pomerado but not super strong. I had breakfast before riding, and this was probably a mistake, since my stomach was kinda queasy. On the short climb where Cypress Canyon tees into Angelique, John and I raced up to the top in a tie. His endurance is pretty good, although he is still slow on the hills.

Average speed = 18.2 mph. Total mileage = 34.2 mi.
Average heartrate = 156 bpm
Total elevation gain = 1100'
http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/ca/san%20diego/153126488934058593

1-26-10 Ride

Ride from work with the noon riding crew. Headed over to Bernardo Center, then took this all the way to Carmel Valley Rd and over to the bike trail. I was riding with the leaders going up the hill near Black Mountain Rd, and the fast guys took off after the climb. Some of them are impossible for me to keep up with, but they generally take off and gradually come back to the pack. On the bike trail, several guys took off on the gradual climb section. I caught some of them but not all. We gathered up at Camino del Sur, and here is where I did better, probably due to my recent riding. On the climbs and flats, I was out in the lead or chasing the leaders. On the gradual climb back into 4S Ranch and on RB Rd, I easily led the others. Not sure if they were riding slowly or just tired. Felt good to be out in front, very energizing.

Average speed = 19.2 mph. Total mileage = 21.1 mi.
Average heartrate = 158 bpm
Total elevation gain = 890'
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/san-diego/794126480658396810

1-24-10 Ride

Time trial ride with Dave and John. First ride after the Stagecoach Century. I rode over to Dave's house and took it easy during the ride, never really pushing the pace. Finished in 55:20.

Total mileage = 23.1 mi
Total elevation gain = 820'
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/san-diego/854917700575

2010 Stagecoach Century

John, Dave, and I met early (5:00am) at John's house to pack everything into the minivan and get out to Ocotillo by 6:45am. Mission accomplished. The drive out was uneventful, just long. We got to Ocotillo around sunrise, but it was too overcast to see the sun. Got all the registration process and preparation taken care of, and we hit the road around 7:20am. Had some early trouble with my cyclometer but got it fixed and caught up with the others. The first 10 miles out are mostly uphill, with lots of gradual 2% climbing. At Sweeney Pass, we headed downhill for ~4 miles, some a little steep, then started climbing again. Stopped at the 25-mile rest stop and got everybody caught up and energized. Continued the climb, which included a steep section at Campbell Grade around mile 32. Another set of climbs, none as bad at this last one, until we got to mile 38, then it was downhill gradually to mile 44, where we passed through Scissors Crossing, then headed up San Felipe Rd, another gradual climb to the turnaround point at mile 50. Gathered up again at this rest stop and re-energized, then started heading back. More downhill on the return, although the uphill sections from mile 55 to 61 were most challenging, mostly due to tiredness. Nice long downhill back. At Campbell Grade, John and I were out in front and went downhill with no problems. We got to the bottom and didn't see Dave. Waited awhile for him, but he didn't show, so we started back to see what was going on. He showed up and told us that he had taken too much speed into one of the Campbell Grade turns and crossed the road into the berm on the other side, hitting rocks and other things. He thought he was going to go over the guardrail, and indeed his leg scraped it, but he was able to recover. His handlebars needed to be adjusted, and he banged his front wheel up pretty good, but we were able to get repairs made so that he could continue. We headed back to the rest stop at mile 75 and did a final refueling before the last nasty part of the ride. Starting at mile 84 or so, the road starts climbing, and it gets progressively steeper until we got through Sweeney Pass. This part of the ride reminded me of the Old Castle Rd climb, in that you have a gradual uphill, a steep middle section, then lots of false summits with gradual climbing until you finally reach the top and start heading downhill. I was pretty tired by this time, and the others still had the strength to keep the pace going fast on the gradual downhills and flats. I kept up, but barely. We caught onto a rough pace line near the finish and ended the ride with them. Finished in 5:37 of riding time, which was a good result for me. I had some cramping in my legs on the Sweeney Pass climb, but the rest stop helped, as did the downhill section to finish. At the end, I felt tired and sore (especially my butt) but overall pretty good, considering the length of the ride. We grabbed lunch and packed everything in the car to get back in time for me to help with the Bethlehem Walk Thank-you Dinner, which was that evening. All in all, a great day.

Average speed = 17.8 mph. Total mileage = 100.0 mi
Average heartrate = 155 bpm (riding only)
Total elevation gain = 4045'
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/ocotillo/110126374334752981

1-10-2010 Ride

Ride with Dave, then Jim and Dave, after getting home from our La Jolla weekend. Started at my house and headed out through Escondido on Centre City Pkwy to Mission Ave, where we turned left and rode over to Barham Dr. Took this to Twin Oaks Valley Pkwy, then headed over to Deer Springs and back onto Centre City Pkwy. I was feeling good and pushing the pace throughout this portion of the ride, including a fast climb up to the I-15 overpass, where the wind was at my back. Back through Escondido, turning right on Felicita to go past the park and get onto Via Rancho Pkwy. Over the freeway and to Jim's house using normal route, where we met up with him and headed over Duenda/Bernardo Center Dr to RB Rd, then to Pomerado Rd. Took this up to Scripps-Poway Pkwy. I slowed my pace down somewhat but still kept it going during this portion. Once on Scripps-Poway, I slowed further, conserving energy for the climb to the top. Turned around once we got to the 67, then reversed this portion of the course to get back home. On the stretch of Pomerado going back, I really slowed down and still had to wait a number of times for Jim and Dave to catch up. I suspect that they were worn out from the previous day's ride. I also talked to a guy with a mohawk on a fat tire 10-speed who was making pretty good time up Pomerado. Felt good at the finish, tired legs but not a lot of soreness and no cramping. I hope I am ready for the Stagecoach Century! It's got a little less than twice the mileage and twice the total elevation gain. Should be a challenge.

Average speed = 17.4 mph. Total mileage = 59.6 mi
Average heartrate = 143 bpm
Total elevation gain = 2400'
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/-san-diego/564126330457015825

1-8-2010 Ride

Solo ride, initially from home to work in the morning, then to La Jolla in the afternoon. Took RB Rd to Camino del Sur and all the way to the bike trail, then down to El Camino Real and over to the coast via Carmel Valley Rd. Down the coast and up the inside route on Torrey Pines, then over Torrey Pines Rd to La Jolla Shores Rd, which has a nice downhill to the coast. Over this road until it connected back to Torrey Pines Rd, then a minor climb until a right turn onto Prospect Ave. This road took me down into the village, and I turned on Fay, which was the street where the hotel was that we stayed in for our anniversary celebration. All in all, a nice ride. The wind was partly in my face as I was headed west but not so much as to be a real chore. Going down the coast was fast because I had more of a tailwind. The temperature was just great for riding.

Average speed = 17.6 mph. Total mileage = 29.6 mi
Total elevation gain =930'
http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/ca/san%20diego/740126377426493426

1-3-2010 Ride

Ride with Dirk from church out 4th St to Grape, then over to Grand. Took this up to BVP, then over to El Norte Pkwy and down to Ash. Over Ash to Rincon/Country Club, then left on Nutmeg/Nordahl to Mission Rd. Back via Mission to Centre City Pkwy to 5th St and back to the church. We kept a fairly fast pace, and the ride was generally flat, with only short hills having any steepness to them. Dirk rides at the same pace as I do, so it was good riding with him. Hoping to do more of it.

Average speed = 17.4 mph. Total mileage = 15.1 mi.
Average heartrate = 145 bpm
Total elevation gain = 230'
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/san-diego/442126257738386498

1-2-10 Ride

Ride from home over to Dave's house, where I met up with him and John for a long training ride. Headed up Pomerado Rd to the top, then down to Willow Creek Rd near the bottom of the hill and through Scripps Ranch to Business Park Rd, which we used to connect to Carroll Canyon Rd. Turned into Scripps Ranch Blvd, which connects to Mira Mesa Blvd. Headed over to Camino Ruiz, then down Calle Cristobal/Sorrento Valley Blvd, which is a great downhill. Right on Vista Sorrento Pkwy, which we used to connect to Carmel Mountain Rd and get onto El Camino Real. Took this all the way to San Dieguito Rd and stayed on this road until a left at El Apajo/Via de Santa Fe, which empties onto Via de la Valle. Followed the normal route up Del Dios (headwind on the initial uphill, which made it pretty bad) and back to Dave's house via Pomerado Rd. Short break, then we headed up Espola Rd to Twin Peaks Rd, then a left on Community Rd and over to Poway Rd. Down this road to Pomerado, where Dave turned home and John and I kept going. We stayed on the time trial route until the 56, where we took the bike trail over to Carmel Mountain Rd, following it to Black Mountain Rd. The wind was in our faces when we were heading west, and I was getting tired (but not sore or cramped up). The ride up Black Mountain was not as bad as I thought it would be, and from there we generally had a tail wind. Followed Carmel Valley Rd to Dove Canyon Rd, and took this over to Rancho Bernardo Rd. Headed back to Dave's house, where John's truck was parked. I went home via RB Rd, since I didn't want to tackle the hills on Bernardo Center Dr. I felt really fortunate to have the wind pretty much at my back for the last 10 miles or so, when I was feeling tired. The weather cooperated pretty well. It was kinda cold at the start, but we were generally climbing, so it didn't matter as much. There were some cool spots during the ride, particularly in the early parts when we passed by water. The latter half was warm and sunny.

During the ride, my cyclocomputer went haywire a couple of times, recording high speeds while I was stopped. While I was riding, it seemed to be working okay. I'll keep an eye on it and return it if the problem recurs.

Average speed = 17.3 mph. Total mileage = 77.0 mi
Average heartrate = 142 bpm
Total elevation gain = 2730'
http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/ca/san%20diego/715126246476152852