5-30-2011 Ride

Memorial Day ride starting from Lake Henshaw up the East Grade to the Palomar Observatory (John's idea) with John, Dave, and Jim, along with Karl and Andy Walters. We got to the cafe, and it was really foggy and cold, about 40 deg. I had a light long-sleeve jersey and my jacket, but I wasn't ready to ride in this cold weather. While we were waiting for Karl and Andy to show up, the weather started clearing and it began to warm up. I started the ride with my jacket on, but it warmed up quickly, so that I took it off at the downhill section around mile 4. I started off fast, perhaps too fast, and never really got into a good rhythm. Toward the latter part of the first climb, my back was really giving me trouble. Legs were okay. I continued to have difficulties in the second climb and was really slow at the end, just waiting for the summit to appear. Made it to the summit in about 1:17 (Ugh!). We all gathered at Mother's Kitchen, but Jim got lost. Andy and Karl went on up to the observatory while Dave went downhill to find him (he was riding with a broken spoke), then John and I headed back down a little later. We were fortunate to catch him coming down the road leading up to the park, so we all gathered and headed back up to the observatory. I had done some stretching while waiting, and this helped my back. My legs were tired, so I was slow but not in too much pain. It seems like the two climbs (there and back) on the observatory out-and-back are the same, but the first one is longer and steeper. Dave and John pretty much stayed with me on the last climb. On the downhill, John and I hung together, and he was really feeling good. I had to work hard just to stay with him on the sections where we were pedaling. The motorcycles flying by were scary; they don't give you much room, and they're on you quickly. About 2/3 of the way down, my cyclometer magnet got out of alignment, so I could only estimate my average speed. This was a real tough workout for me.

Avg speed = 13 mph. Total mileage = 34 mi
Total elevation gain = 3810'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/35899388

5-28-2011 Ride

Ride while staying up at Camp Wrightwood with Claremont UMC. Headed down Elm in the early afternoon, and I was a little concerned about the wind, which was gusty. On the 2, it wasn't too bad, just a long tough slog uphill with no real downhill breaks all the way to the summit before the campgrounds. The steepest part was the section before getting to the ski lifts. During the latter part of the first climb, my back was giving me a little problem. After I reached the summit at 7 miles and 7550', I headed downhill, staying on the 2, just to get a few more miles in. Went all the way to where the road was closed at Vincent Gulch Divide, then started heading back uphill. This section wasn't as steep, but my legs and back weren't as fresh either, so it was a chore. The downhill section back into town was fast, but I couldn't crouch too well. As usual, the little climb back to the camp on Elm was awful. I hammered out the first part then ground out the last, not having anything left to give. Weather turned out to be a great day for riding.

Avg speed = 13.2 mph. Total mileage = 18.9 mi
Total elevation gain = 2240'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/36172068

5-22-2011 Ride

Originally, this started out to be a time trial route, but the misty weather and my weak legs caused us to shorten it. Same route up to Poway Rd at Pomerado Rd, where we turned and headed back to Dave's house. It was just the two of us. I was behind him for most of the way and couldn't keep up on the uphill sections by the high school and up Espola to Poway Rd. Just no drive in my legs, from a combination of no riding recently and the ride/hike combo on Saturday.

Avg speed = 18.2 mph. Total mileage = 19.6 mi
Avg heartrate = 159 bpm
Total elevation gain = 650'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/35066876

5-21-2011 Ride

First ride after a couple of weeks off while Ann and I were in Hawaii. Met up with John and Dave and left from my house, heading out to BVP. We turned right on Mary Ln and rode up here, the first time I had gone this way. It wasn't awful, but it was a chore, particularly the first section. Turned left on Summit Dr, which connects into the 78. Headed out Citrus Ave to El Norte Pkwy, all of us staying pretty much together. Up Centre City Pkwy to Mountain Meadows, then left to go back via Twin Oaks Valley Pkwy. Again, all of us were riding together here. Turned right on Borden and headed up behind Palomar College. Left on Las Posas, which we took over to San Marcos Blvd. Down to Bent Ave and over to Craven. We split at this point, with John and Dave heading back and me riding up Twin Oaks Valley Pkwy to meet up with the church group doing a hike. I miscalculated how difficult this last climb was, having never ridden or driven it. It was probably a little over a mile, and it seemed pretty steep. I was pretty wiped out when I got to the top. The hike went well, and it was nowhere near as physically taxing as the bike ride.

Avg speed = 15.7 mph. Total mileage = 30.1 mi
Avg heartrate = 157 bpm
Total elevation gain = 1510'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/35017028