Solo ride from home on a Saturday morning, cool and overcast for most of the time. Headed up Azucar Way to Duenda Rd and over to RB Rd, then to Pomerado Rd. I took this road to the top (highest point in the ride), dialing it back on the last climb to conserve energy for this long ride. Down to Kearny Villa Rd. In the early part of the ride, I had a little bit of a headwind, which appeared to be coming generally from the southwest. Got to Ruffin Rd and took it to Balboa Ave, heading west to connect to Genesee Ave. This road is part of the route I've ridden in reverse with John that I don't like. It's not bad at all going this direction. Stayed on it until it connected to N Torrey Pines Rd. On the flat section here, my chain came off and got tangled up, so I had to stop and get my fingers dirty putting everything right. Then it was downhill and into Del Mar. I stayed on PCH all the way to Oceanside, riding the last 7 mi or so with a guy from Carmel Mountain Ranch who could keep up with me. We had to do a little detour in Carlsbad to Ocean Ave, since they were having some kind of kid's fun run. I turned right on Oceanside Blvd and stopped for a Gatorade and Tiger energy bar at a 7-11, feeling pretty good at this point. I think the wind had shifted somewhat by then because it seemed to push me for quite a while as I headed toward Escondido. After El Camino Real, this section of road is really great. I took it to Melrose Dr, turning right and then left onto Olive Ave, connecting to Santa Fe Ave via a short jog on Vista Village Dr. I hadn't been on these roads before, and I got to see the older, seamier side of Vista. This road turns into Mission Rd, which I rode all the way to Broadway. Turned left here and took it to El Norte Pkwy to get some extra miles in, up to Citrus Ave, which I took to the 78. Short jog to BVP, then home the normal way, with a little U-turn on Del Lago Blvd to get onto the freeway. My legs felt tired on the last two little climbs, but they held up pretty well. I think I benefited on this ride from the training miles about as much as favorable winds. I like to think it was more of the former that left me feeling good at the end, certainly able to ride another 15 miles easily.
Avg speed = 18.2 mph. Total mileage = 85.2 mi
Avg heartrate = 142 bpm
Total elevation gain = 3760'
