Solo ride from home. I dressed fairly light because it was going to get warm on this day, but that made the start pretty cold for the first 10 min or so. Headed down by the park and up Pomerado Rd all the way to the top. I was able to keep it above 10 mph on the last steep section until near the next to last light. I think with a little more fitness and effort that I can do the whole section. Headed down to Miramar Rd and turned left on Kearny Villa Rd. It was warming up, so I switched my gloves out while riding. Took this road over to Balboa Ave and used it to connect to Garnet Ave and onto Soledad Mountain Rd. I couldn't keep my pace over 10 mph on this road, there were too many short steeper sections that I couldn't power up. But I felt pretty good going up. Looped around the cross and headed down Via Capri and Hidden Valley Rd, riding the brakes nearly the whole way. Got on Torrey Pines Rd and took it all the way down to the coast, where it was misty and still chilly. I had to detour through the parking lot because they are still working on the bridge there. Headed up into Del Mar and connected with a couple of riders who were going at a pretty good pace. We rode together for awhile, and a couple of others joined us. Stayed on the 101 all the way to La Costa Ave, keeping a strong enough pace that most of the others couldn't keep up, just a couple of guys hung with me. Took La Costa Ave to El Camino Real and turned left. From here, it was basically uphill back into Escondido, with a longer uphill section before I got to Palomar Airport Rd. After that, it was mostly gradual in the uphill sections. Took Discovery St over to Craven Ave. I was starting to wear down from the heat and the high level of effort I put in on the 101 stretch. So I dialed my effort back. At the light by Twin Oaks Valley Pkwy, a guy almost ran the red light right in front of me. A little different timing and he could have hit me. That got my adrenaline racing. Headed back into Escondido via Barham Dr to Mission Ave. Back home the normal way via Centre City Pkwy and over the freeway. The wind was quartering in my face for this section, so I was relatively slow. At the stoplight, there was a cyclist stopped, so I headed over to ask him if he was okay. He had just avoided a crash but was alright. I headed up to the next light, then turned and got onto the bike path, heading back toward home. I was pretty tired by here, so I finished as best as I could. Felt okay at the end, could have used more water on this dry day.
Avg speed = 17.1 mph. Total mileage =73.9 mi
Avg heartrate = 138 bpm
Total elevation gain = 4030'
