Solo ride in the morning, still a little sore from the kettlebell workout on Wednesday. I didn't really feel the effects during the ride other than a slightly lower output level from my legs. Headed over the freeway and onto BVP, which I took up to the 78, turning right and getting onto Citrus Ave. Over to Washington Ave, then down to Hale Ave. This long stretch is slightly downhill all the way, nice, but has a lot of stoplights, not so nice. Turned right on Auto Park Way, then left on Howard, using it to connect to Harmony Grove Rd. On this section, it seemed like I had a little headwind, couldn't get any speed up on the flats. On the climb by Elfin Forest Rd, I did really well, keeping my speed above 11 mph the whole way and feeling pretty good. Down San Elijo Rd and left on Rancho Santa Fe Rd, little climb here. I turned right on La Costa Ave and took it all the way down to PCH. This is a really great route, at least in this direction. It has a significant drop just after the turn, then it's basically rolling flat for the rest of the way. On PCH, I had a decent ride. I took the bike route closer to the beach, which is a nice way, although it's a short steep section on 15th St back up to PCH. I stopped here for a banana break, then got back on PCH. Turned on Carmel Valley Rd and taking it over to El Camino Real, turning right and staying on this road as it turned into Carmel Mountain Rd. This section has a steady uphill grade, not too bad but it goes on for a while. It's a nice road to ride on. Turned left on Carmel Country Rd, which has a pretty steep downhill section. I don't think I'd want to ride this road in the other direction. Got onto the 56 bike trail and took it to Rancho Penasquitos Rd. This section of the ride was the lowest energy section for me, not sure why. Rancho Penasquitos Rd to Poway Rd, turning right on Sabre Springs Pkwy and heading over to Springhurst Dr. Up this little climb, which was a chore near the top. Then Springbrook Dr to Scripps-Poway Pkwy, which I took up to Community Rd. That climb after Pomerado Rd was another chore, but I handled it pretty well. Down Community Rd, which is also quite steep, and over to Twin Peaks Rd. I took this up to Espola Rd, then back in to Poway. On the climb, which isn't bad at all, I passed Kevin Miller, who was riding with another rider. I caught another rider on the downhill after the climb, and he basically hung on my wheel all the way down to the bike bridge across Lake Hodges. Took the Pomerado Rd route and felt decent on the little climb before the park. On the last uphill on Aguamiel Rd, I struggled at the end, happy to be done.
Avg speed = 17.5 mph. Total mileage = 72.7 mi
Avg heartrate = 143 bpm
Total elevation gain = 2710'
