11-26-2010 Ride

Ride while staying up in Lake Arrowhead over Thanksgiving weekend. We were staying in a house on the northern side of the lake. Headed from the house over to North Bay Rd, then up to the 173 and around the lake. Did a little jog up Hook Creek Rd to look for another little shopping area, but there wasn't much there. Back on the 173, I headed up to Rim of the World Hwy. This is a fairly challenging climb, and the climb continues on the highway. It was pretty slow going, and the weather was such that the temperature difference between riding in the sun and in the shade was substantial. I was fully covered for the shade riding but switched out of my full-fingered gloves on the highway. The climb was beautiful but hard (for me), and there was a point where I had to stop and consider whether to keep going. I did, going all the way to Running Springs by the fire department before turning around and heading back. The ride back was a lot more fun, with only a couple of smaller climbs to negotiate. Went back on the highway all the way to the Blue Jay cut-off. This portion of the ride was extremely cold, since that area is always in shade. Then back to the house via North Bay Rd. Satisfying ride, somewhat cold, but not a great elapsed time.

Average speed = 14.2 mph. Total mileage = 26.0 mi
Average heartrate = 142 bpm
Total elevation gain = 1660'
http://beta.mapmyride.com/routes/view/25753784

11-24-2010 Ride

Ride with Jim and Dave, starting from work. Headed over to Camino del Norte/Twin Peaks and took it all the way to Community Rd. Turned right and headed over to Poway Rd, where we climbed up to the 67. I felt good, but not great, on the climb, and it was overcast and cool. Headed over to Scripps-Poway Pkwy and came back that way, down to Pomerado Rd and back via the Camino del Norte route. I felt strong at the end of the ride, but it was only 25 miles, so that wasn't much.

Average speed = 16 mph. Total mileage = 24.6 mi
Total elevation gain = 1530'
http://beta.mapmyride.com/routes/view/25754124

11-23-2010 Ride

Solo ride from work during lunch. Not sure if I remember the exact route. Think I went out W Bernardo Dr to Camino del Norte, turning right onto Pomerado Rd and heading all the way up to Poway Rd before turning around. Then I went all the way down Pomerado Rd and came back via W Bernardo Dr.

Average speed = 16.9 mph. Total mileage = 16.5 mi
Total elevation gain = 590'
http://beta.mapmyride.com/routes/view/25959370/

11-13-2010 Ride

Ride from home over to Dave's to meet up with him and Jim. John was tired and decided to skip the ride. Headed over Pomerado Rd to Scripps-Poway Pkwy, which we took west, down to Mercy Rd and over to Black Mountain Rd. It was about 42 deg when I started but by this time it had warmed up, so I took my hat and full-finger gloves off. Headed up the small climb to the 56 bike trail, which we rode over to Carmel Country Rd. Over to Del Mar Heights Rd, where we got behind a morning bike ride group. We zipped on past them on a small climb and continued over to Camino del Mar. Headed north through Del Mar, then took Jimmy Durante Blvd over to Via de la Valle. Went over to El Camino Real, then caught San Dieguito Rd and headed over the flats. Speaking of flats, I got another one. Aargh! When I changed out my tire, I lost the little plastic faceplate on my cyclocomputer, so it's now officially time to get a new one. New tires too, I'm guessing. Motored on up the climb on San Dieguito Rd, keeping a high cadence and not really faltering in my pace. I was putting speed into the ride to get back home in time to get ready to get over to the Escondido Seventh Day Adventist Church for a Bethlehem Walk announcement. Headed back home the quickest way, using Matinal Rd and going through the neighborhood.

Avg. speed = 16.7 mph. Total mileage = 41.6 mi
Total elevation gain = 1650'
http://beta.mapmyride.com/routes/view/road-cycling-map/california/san-diego/25361776

11-9-2010 Ride

Ride over lunch with a smaller contingent of the HP crew, the ones who are still riding "slow." Headed over to RB Rd, then onto Camino del Sur. In the early part of the ride, a couple of the riders, Todd and Wiz, looked strong. I could pretty much keep up with Wiz, but Todd was stronger. Turned on Carmel Valley Rd and took it all the way over to the 56 bike trail, where we pushed the pace up to the turn at Camino del Sur. I stayed with the two leaders until the very end, when Todd dropped the hammer and I couldn't keep up. It was pretty impressive. Headed back over to Carmel Valley Rd, where we took a right and headed back to work via Bernardo Center Dr. On the final climb up to Camino del Norte, Avi put distance on me. It seemed that it had just taken him time to get warmed up. A good ride all the way around, although I later found out that I had gotten a slow leak in my rear tire.

Avg. speed = 18.1 mph. Total mileage = 21.2 mi
Avg. heartrate = 152 bpm
Total elevation gain = 890'
http://beta.mapmyride.com/routes/view/road-cycling-map/california/san-diego/25362254

2010 Tour de Julian

Drove over to Dave's house and picked him and John up, storing the gear in the minivan. Headed up to Julian, Menghini Winery, which is right off of Farmers Rd near Camp Cedar Glen. Registered onsite. It was kinda cool at the beginning, but not bad at all. There were about 200 riders. After the start, headed into Julian, then downhill until the turn onto Pine Hills Rd. By this time, the weather was great. Turned onto Eagle Peak Rd, then later onto Boulder Creek Rd. This part of the ride was rolling hills, with nice scenery. We rode past Camp Winacka. Then we turned on Engineers Rd and things got challenging. This section was about a 4 mile uphill, with the steepest part reserved for the very end. By this time, my lower back was aching, and it was a real chore to get up to the top. Thankfully, there was a rest stop right afterward, so I stretched and waited for the others to catch up. We then headed back toward Julian on the 79, turning right on Sunrise Hwy. There was a sharp rise not too long after the turn, then a gradual uphill. Bypassed the next rest stop, where I found that I had another 11 miles of climbing to go to the summit. None of it was really steep, although there were some long stretches of pretty hard work. The forests as we got higher were really beautiful. There was a crosswind that was partly in my face on the climb. At the rest stop by the turnaround point, I stretched again and waited for Dave and John to show up. I felt good at this point, although the weather was a little blustery at the 6000' level. The ride back downhill was fun, although the tailing crosswind was a little difficult to deal with. There was a moderate climb in the middle of the downhill, and that was slow going. Back on the 79, we headed toward Julian. By this time, the wind was more in our backs, helping push us along. There was an uphill section about 3 miles outside of Julian, but it was no big deal. Dave caught up with me, even though I thought I was riding a good pace. He has more endurance than me. On the final downhill into Julian, my bike was really riding loose, and I found out at the turn onto the main street that I had a flat. Good grief! It was a slow leak, so I pumped it up downtown and figured I would try to ride the last part without fixing it. There is a short, steep section on Farmers Rd that I was dreading, but I motored on up it with no problems at all. My tire held air until the end. At the end of the ride, they were serving warm apple pie and ice cream, and it was delicious. Felt really good at the finish, with tiredness in my legs but no soreness. It did feel good to be done.

Avg. speed = 16.0 mph. Total mileage = 55.3 mi
Avg. heartrate = 152 bpm
Total elevation gain = 3460'
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/julian/422128908461434832