9-26-2010 Ride

Time trial loop with John and Dave, riding over from home. I had missed the ride on the Saturday before due to the Pancake Breakfast, so I was in okay shape but not great shape. Pace was steadily strong going up Espola, with Dave and I trading leads, him more than me. On the climb up to Poway Rd, I was doing all I could to keep on his back wheel. Went down Poway Rd with the other two riding strong. On the stretch up Sabre Springs Pkwy, I got out a little ahead of Dave. Took it pretty easy going up Ted Williams Pkwy, with all three of us riding pretty much together. A hard push going down Pomerado Rd, with John pulling a strong stretch on the way up to the hospital. Finished in 54:10.

Total mileage = 23.1 mi
Average heartrate = 155 bpm
Total elevation gain = 820'
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/san-diego/854917700575

9-18-2010 Ride

Ride from home up Azucar and around to Jim's house, where I met up with him and Dave. Headed over to Pomerado using the quick route, then up Pomerado to Poway Rd. It was cool and really misty at the beginning of this ride. Turned left on Poway Rd and headed all the way up to the 67. I kept a steady pace but didn't feel like I was setting any records on this climb. About halfway through, the mist cleared out, and it was sunny for the rest of the ride. Headed on the 67 into Ramona. I felt pretty strong on the climb up to the crest near Mt. Woodson, and we made good time, as usual, on the descent into Ramona. Took the 78 down, and I climbed fairly fast on the initial little hills, then pedaled fast on the downhill segments. We were going into a minor headwind, and I kept the pressure on to make good time, separating again from Dave and Jim. Met up again at the turn onto Bandy Canyon Rd. The steep part of this climb is only about a half mile long, but it is really steep; Dave measured up to 16% grade. We hustled back home to try and get Jim back as soon as possible. I felt strong throughout this ride, with no undue exertion experienced.

Average speed = 17.7. Total mileage = 41.4 mi
Average heartrate = 152 bpm
Total elevation gain = 2110'
http://beta.mapmyride.com/route/detail/23219010/

9-10-2010 Ride

Solo ride from home up to Julian. I ate a lunch and let it settle before starting around 12:35. The day was warmer than I had hoped it would be. Headed out into the San Pasqual Valley by the high school, taking Old Milky Way to link into the 78. I had the benefit, particularly during this section of the ride, of a nice tailwind. On the climb up to Ramona, it was really hot and dry. I was sweating quite a bit and suffering some. Legs felt just fine. I stopped at the convenience store in Ramona and refueled my water bottles with cold energy drink. I also took a hammer gel packet, to try and keep my energy level high. Used the route to Santa Ysabel via the Old Julian Highway, and this section was hot too. On the extended climb in the latter part of this section of the ride, my back was stiffening up again. I just took it easy and didn't really push the pace. It wasn't as bad as the Labor Day ride, just uncomfortable. Back on the 78, there are a couple of moderate climbs before you get into Santa Ysabel. I stopped at a convenience store again and got another energy drink to refill my bottle for the last section up to Julian. I did just fine on the initial climb after this stop, which was the first time on this ride that I didn't feel the beginning of cramping in my thighs here. The section climbing section up into Wynola was fairly slow, and my left calf was a little jittery but not bad, all things considered. I kept going without stopping, appreciating the brief break in the climb. The last part of the ride, climbing into Julian, was hard but not brutal. My back was a little stiff and sore, but my legs held out really well. I was really glad to ride into the town, at least a half hour faster than I thought it would take me. This was probably a top-ten output day for me on the bike, given my level of effort and how I felt at the end. I was really happy to see my average heartrate at the level it was, given the heat of the day and my high level of exertion.

Average speed = 13.5 mph. Total mileage = 40.2 mi
Average heartrate = 152 bpm
Total elevation gain = 4070'
http://beta.mapmyride.com/route/detail/22629360/

9-6-2010 Ride

Annual Tour de Labor ride. This time, we decided to ride from John's house on the Barona loop, going up Scripps-Poway Pkwy. It was the four of us. I felt pretty good on this section, keeping the pace lower to conserve energy for later. Headed down the 67 to Lakeside, then over to Wildcat Canyon Rd. This climb started out okay. I felt good in the early parts, perhaps taking it too fast. When it got steep, I started to hurt. My lower back was really sore, and I was having real trouble pedaling. Got to the top of that climb and stretched while the others caught up. The stretching really helped, as it wasn't a problem for the rest of the ride. Took this road until it connected into San Vicente Rd, which led us back into Ramona. I think that Dave was hanging back somewhat for John, and Jim was really feeling strong. He kept up with me for much of the climb up to the crest at Mt. Woodson. I separated from him around the last half mile of the climb. We went back via the usual route, going pretty fast on the downhills. The last climb after crossing Pomerado Rd was slow for me, and Dave got out in front. I was pretty tanked by that time in the ride. Felt fine at the end, just tired and a little sore.

Avg. speed = 16.2 mph. Total mileage = 49.0 mi
Average heartrate = 151 bpm
Total elevation gain = 3020'
http://beta.mapmyride.com/route/detail/22612146/

9-4-2010 Ride

Ride from home with Jim and Dave. It was cool at the start as we headed toward Escondido and up San Pasqual Rd then down into the valley. Turned right on San Pasqual Valley Rd, the 78, and headed up to Ramona. Felt pretty good on the climbing section; there's really only one part that is somewhat steep. The rest of it is just a long slog uphill. Mapmyride says it's about a 5-mile climb. I started out somewhat slow, to keep all three of us together, but couldn't keep up the slow pace and took off, waiting for the others at the stoplight in Ramona. It got warm on the climb up and was really warm and dry in Ramona. We circled around the city via San Vicente Rd, Warnock Rd, and Dye Rd, then headed back via Highland Valley Rd. The climbing part of this section wasn't too bad, and the downhill was fun as always, although I was more aware than usual about the dangers of riding at high speeds. It was a little slower after the downhills, as the others, Jim in particular, had slowed down. Back via the park, and I felt okay on the last two little climbs, although I was really tired out by the first one. The smoothie at the end of the ride tasted particularly good.

Avg. speed = 17.8 mph. Total mileage = 40.0 mi
Average heartrate = 158 bpm (can that be true?)
Total elevation gain = 1690'
http://beta.mapmyride.com/route/detail/22503758/

9-2-2010 Ride

Ride from home after work over to Fredeline's house to drop off the stapler. Headed over to Pomerado Rd via the normal route to Dave's house, then up to Bernardo Heights Pkwy. Over to Paseo Lucido and to her house. I'm not sure what was going on, but this part of the ride seemed like it had a lot of uphill, and I was struggling. Headed back over to Camino del Norte, where I was once again slow going up that small grade, particularly at the false flat near the top. Home via the normal route going by HP. Although it was a short ride, I was really sweating when I got done.

Average speed = 15.8 mph. Total mileage = 10.3 mi
Average heartrate = 142 bpm
Total elevation gain = 430'
http://beta.mapmyride.com/route/detail/22422372/