Ride over to Joe's house, taking the Centre City Pkwy Route all the way to Country Club Ln. It was cool at the start, not really cold, and I was warmed up by the time I got to his place. My legs felt good, really solid. We headed over to Broadway and then to El Norte Pkwy, taking it up to Valley Center Rd. Up the grade, where I was able to keep it above 10 mph all the way to the top, which is a first, I think. I slowed down after that effort. We headed out to Cole Grade Rd, taking it over and down to the 76. It is really steep and winding on the downhill, and the road condition isn't great, so I was taking it easy. On the 76, it was up and down for awhile, then a gradual downhill into Pala. Mainly flat from there over to the freeway, where we stopped for a bathroom break and a quick snack. We took the 395 up to W Lilac Rd, and I was surprised at how steep it was, about the same as Scripps-Poway Pkwy. Down into Bonsall and onto Old River Rd, taking it over to Vista Way. We rode all the way into Vista, turning left on Civic Center Dr and taking a little too far. When we got off course, Joe took the opportunity to get some oil for his French horn, then we backtracked to Santa Fe Ave, taking it over to Robelini Rd and turning right. This road turns into Sycamore Ave, and it's a nice route to take over to Melrose Ave, where we turned left and rode through some ups and downs out toward San Elijo Hills. Took another bio break before we climbed on San Elijo Rd. Joe was slowing down here, and I was riding steadily, feeling really good as we headed through Harmony Grove and Elfin Forest, especially with the tailwind pushing me up the slight inclines back into Escondido. We took Enterprise Dr over to Auto Park Way, and I could tell that Joe was suffering. I probably made a mistake in going over to Mission Rd the longer way. Even on the slight downhill with a tailwind on Mission Rd, Joe was falling back and riding slowly. We took it easy into Escondido, getting onto Centre City Pkwy and going really slowly back to his place. Just past Iris Ln, Joe's hamstrings seized up, and he had to stop and walk for awhile. He was able to get back on and finish, but he was obviously in pain. I rode home the normal way, again feeling fine without any muscle tightness, just a little bit of soreness (not much) and feeling tired.
Avg speed = 16.4 mph. Total mileage = 92.4 mi
Avg heartrate = 131 bpm
Total elevation gain = 5700'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/362295913
