08-30-2014 Ride

Initial solo ride in the morning when it was pretty foggy.  I kept both lights on to stay visible.  Headed up to work and then over to Camino del Norte, taking it to Pomerado Rd.  Then I rode down to the freeway and back home the normal way.  I waited for Dave to show up, then we headed through the neighborhood to RB Rd and then to Camino del Sur.  All through the ride, I kept my pace dialed back to stay close with Dave.  We rode over to Carmel Valley Rd, taking it to Del Mar Heights Rd.  We rode to Carmel Canyon Rd, then down to Carmel Country Rd to get onto the 56 bike trail.  We took it at a measured pace back to Camino del Sur, staying on this to Camino del Norte and back to Bernardo Center Dr.  From there, we took the normal route via work back home.  It was a nice ride, no real high exertion sections, just getting the miles in.

Avg speed = 16.9 mph. Total mileage = 44.7 mi
Total elevation gain = 3120'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/519261428

08-29-2014 Ride

Solo ride on a Friday when I took a vacation day.  Headed over the pedestrian bridge and got onto BVP, taking it up to Citrus Ave.  Then it was over to Mission Ave, which I rode all the way through Escondido into San Marcos, turning on Rancho Santa Fe Re to get over to San Marcos Blvd.  I rode back toward town, turning right on Bent Ave and looping around the block via Discovery St back to Via Vera Cruz.  I then turned right on Boardwalk and then Park Pl to get to the parking lot by Mama Kat's, where I eventually met Ann to have breakfast.  It was a fairly flat ride, but I hit a lot of lights going through Escondido and San Marcos.  My back was still sore from the previous day's ride, so this was more of an opportunity to get some miles in without a high level of exertion.

Avg speed = 17.3 mph. Total mileage = 23.3 mi
Total elevation gain = 820'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/518420686

08-28-2014 Ride

Solo ride in the early morning, leaving home a little before 5:30 when it was nice and dark.  I had both lights on as I headed down by the park and onto Pomerado Rd, taking it all the way to the top.  My pace was generally steady but not scorching.  I was able to keep it above 10 mph all the way to the top from Scripps-Poway Pkwy, but it took basically an all-out effort.  Then I headed over Cypress Canyon Rd to Angelique St and then down Springbrook Dr to Sabre Springs Pkwy.  This is a nice downhill.  Over Sabre Springs Pkwy to Rancho Carmel Dr, then to Carmel Mountain Rd.  From there, I followed the time trial route home.  I kept it above 16 mph on the little hill on Camino del Norte, then basically rode without pushing a hard pace home.  My back was a little sore later in the day, possibly from the effort I put in to get to the top of Pomerado Rd.

Avg speed = 16.9 mph. Total mileage = 23.2 mi
Avg heartrate = 132 bpm
Total elevation gain = 1560'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/517295306

08-26-2014 Ride

Solo ride from home, leaving before 5:30 when it was nice and dark.  I had both lights on and needed the front light to see where I was going for at least the first 30 min.  Headed over to Highland Valley Rd and took it up to the stop light near Ramona.  I felt okay on the first climb, not fast but not struggling.  On the steep part of the second climb, I was pretty slow, just slogging it up the hill.  Better on the final steep section, although my lower back was feeling it on the way down toward Ramona.  There must have been a little bit of a headwind on the way out, since I made better time on the ride back up to the summit point.  I was a little bit less tentative on the downhill sections and had some moments of pure joy racing downhill.  The sunrise was glorious as well, with pink clouds making the sky look magnificent.  Good time on the flat section after the downhills, and a decent final stretch.  It was a good way to start the day.

Avg speed = 16.8 mph. Total mileage = 31.1 mi
Avg heartrate = 142 bpm
Total elevation gain = 2370'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/515243102

08-23-2014 Ride

Ride with Dave and John from home.  I kept my pace down for much of the ride.  We headed up Azucar Way to Duenda Rd, then over to Pomerado Rd the normal way, taking it all the way to Scripps-Poway Pkwy.  I matched speeds with the others up to this point for the most part.  On the climb up Scripps-Poway Pkwy, I kept it above 10 mph on the first climbing stretch, waiting for the others when I caught a light.  We rode together until the bottom of the second climb.  They had gotten ahead of me, but I caught them when we started up.  I was able to keep my speed above 10 mph until just past the first bend in the road, then I slowed down and paced it up the rest of the way.  We gathered back together at the top.  It took Dave a while to get there, he's still working his way into cycling shape.  On the climb up to Poway Rd, I dialed it way back, keeping at the same speed as John.  We decided to cut the route short, heading back down Poway Rd to Pomerado Rd.  The downhill was fun, although the others got out ahead of me and I had to ride faster to catch up with them.  We rode together after Espola Rd.  On Pomerado Rd, we also rode together, although at times Dave got behind until we slowed our pace to match him.  We took it all the way down to the freeway, then headed home the normal way.  Easy ride for me all told.

Avg speed = 15.9 mph. Total mileage = 31.3 mi
Avg heartrate = 129 bpm
Total elevation gain = 2290'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/512627792

08-22-2014 Ride

Solo ride in the morning before work, starting when it was dark but not super dark.  I had my lights on but didn't need the front light for too long.  Headed over Pomerado Rd the normal way, then took it up to Scripps-Poway Pkwy.  I was hearing noise that seemed to be coming from my drivetrain, but I couldn't find anything out of the ordinary.  I think it was coming from my front light vibrating in its holder, but I'll know for sure tomorrow.  I had a good ride on the slope right after the turn onto Scripps-Poway Pkwy, keeping my speed above 11 mph the whole way.  It really got my heartrate up to sustain this level of effort.  I rode up to Stowe Dr, then turned left and rode it down to Community Rd, where I turned right and kept going downhill to almost Poway Rd.  I turned left on Twin Peaks Rd and stayed on this road, making the little climb just past Pomerado Rd, where it had been a while since I'd ridden here.  I stayed on the same road and finished by following the last part of the time trial route.  I had another decent section on the little climb past Carmel Mountain Rd, riding above 16 mph for most of it and aboe 15 mph for all of it.  After that, I didn't push the pace too much.  I did stay on W Bernardo Dr all the way down to Aguamiel Rd before turning an heading home.

Avg speed = 17.3 mph. Total mileage = 21.1 mi
Avg heartrate = 134 bpm
Total elevation gain = 1370'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/511521118

08-21-2014 Ride

Solo ride after work, leaving from home through the neighborhood to RB Rd.  Then to Camino del Sur and out to Carmel Valley Rd.  The wind was coming in from the southwest, to I felt it in my face at times on the way out.  I took Carmel Valley Rd over to the 56 bike trail, then rode it back to Camino del Sur.  With the wind at my back, I had a pretty good effort on this stretch, generally keeping it above 17 mph the whole way with many stretches even faster.  Back all the way to Dove Canyon Rd, taking it over to RB Rd and retracing my route to get home.  The wind helped me on the gradual incline section by Del Sur.  Although the temperature was probably in the high 70s, the humidity made me sweat a fair amount, so it was a good workout.

Avg speed = 18.1 mph. Total mileage = 26.8 mi
Total elevation gain = 2090'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/511188844

08-17-2014 Ride

Time trial ride, initially with John up to Jim's house, where we were joined by him and Dave for the first ever new time trial route where all four of us rode.  The pace was faster with Dave riding, particularly at the start.  John and I rode out ahead going up Pomerado Rd, and I tried to match my pace to keep John just on my rear wheel.  I got out a little ahead by the hospital, where we all gathered together and continued.  We rode basically together until midway down Poway Rd, where John and I got out ahead again.  I stretched it a little bit on the last part, waiting for the others after the turn.  I let them go ahead, then I rode to try and catch up with them, eventually riding with John on my wheel.  We continued on Rancho Carmel Dr, same general thing, and John was able to hang with me until the turn onto Carmel Mountain Rd.  He and I rode basically together up the hill on Camino del Norte, with me getting out a little ahead and him catching up when I coasted down toward the freeway.  A pretty fast pace over to Bernardo Center Dr, then John and I rode at a good clip on W Bernardo Dr.  I led out after the light at RB Rd, with John catching me near the turn onto Duenda Rd.  He pushed it up the hill, but ended up just a little slower than his PR.  Still, it was a good ride for him and a nice workout for me.  Finished in 1:00:30.

Total mileage = 17.9 mi
Avg heartrate = 132 bpm
Total elevation gain = 1050'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/506593430

08-16-2014 Rides

Solo ride initially over to Dave's house, taking BVP up to Sunset Dr rather than ride on the freeway after getting across Lake Hodges.  I kept a steady pace but didn't burn it.  Got over to Escondido Blvd and took a left, following it until I could get onto Centre City Pkwy.  Then it was the normal way to his house.  I met up there with him and John, and we took Alexander Dr over to Montview Dr and then onto Redwood St, which connects to Felicita Ave.  Then it was onto Centre City Pkwy, which we took to Country Club Ln.  It seemed like we caught every light going through town, which was okay, since Dave had given blood on the previous Wednesday and that was keeping our pace slower.  We got onto El Norte Pkwy and took it until it turned into Borden Rd.  Down to Twin Oaks Valley Pkwy for a short jog to get to Richmar Ave, using it to get to Mission Rd via Marcos St.  We rode down to Rancho Santa Fe Ave, then turned here.  Up to San Marcos Blvd and beyond.  There was a very small climb here, steady but not steep.  Other than that, we didn't have any ups or downs to note.  We next rode down to San Elijo Rd, then took it up to San Elijo Hills.  This climb wasn't bad at all, I think the wind was aiding us.  We got onto Elfin Forest Rd, taking it down to Harmony Grove Rd.  Not too long after the turn, a couple of Swamis riders came by at high speed.  I didn't pay attention.  Then a bigger group rode by, and I let them go for a bit, then decided to try and catch up.  No luck, they were just too fast.  I did catch on with a tail group of about 5 riders, and we stayed together up to the tee.  I stopped there and waited for John and Dave, then we took Kauna Loa Rd over to Country Club Dr.  Again, nothing super steep on this section, just some gradual climbing or shorter, sharper little blips.  Took Auto Park Way to Mission Rd and back to Centre City Pkwy.  From there, it was the normal way back to Dave's house, where we had smoothies.  I had kept my pace low for most of this ride, other than the fast section on Harmony Grove Rd.  Back home, again not riding fast.  It was getting hot out, and it was muggy too.  Felt fine at the end, just tired from the exertion and not getting a restful night's sleep.

Avg speed = 17.1 mph. Total mileage = 43.3 mi
Avg heartrate = 130 bpm
Total elevation gain = 2170'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/505849342


Around 12:30, I took off through the neighborhood to ride down to the beach and meet up with Ann and Emily.  I took the normal route down into Fairbanks Ranch, then used El Apajo and Calzada del Bosque to get to Via de la Valle.  From there, it was down to PCH and up north to Encinitas Blvd.  Other than riding in the middle of the day, when it was breezy and hot, the ride was uneventful.  I could tell I didn't have a lot of push in my legs, from a combination of the earlier day's ride and the heat.  I rode into the parking lot by Moonlight Beach, where Ann had parked the car.  We had an Open Hearts Fellowship/YAM beach picnic, but I felt out of sorts with all of the stuff going on at work, I just couldn't relax.  Went in the water for a bit, and the water temperature was quite nice.

Avg speed = 17.5 mph.  Total mileage = 21.5 mi
Avg heartrate = 149 bpm
Total elevation gain = 960'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/506056408

08-11-2014 Ride

Solo ride after dinner, when it was cooling but still a little breezy.  Headed through the neighborhood and took RB Rd to Dove Canyon Rd, then over to Carmel Valley Rd.  I rode at a steady pace up to Black Mountain Rd, then down to Camino del Sur.  Out toward the 56 bike trail, where I took a U-turn and then headed back toward home.  I stayed on the same road, enjoying some time with the wind more at my back.  Turned on Dove Canyon Rd and then back to RB Rd, taking it all the way down to W Bernardo Dr and going home the normal way from there.  I felt good during the ride, took the pace a little faster in the second half than in the first, but I wasn't pushing it.

Avg speed = 17.2 mph. Total mileage = 19.8 mi
Avg heartrate = 136 bpm
Total elevation gain = 1760'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/501392602

08-10-2014 Ride

Sunday time trial ride, leaving from home with John and meeting Jim at his house. In charged up this first hill at full tilt initially but couldn't keep it up all the way to the top.  We rode over to RB Rd, getting a little ahead of John.  Then we rode together on to Pomerado Rd, where I got a little separation on the others, even though I wasn't really pushing it.  From the hospital, we rode together down to Poway Rd and over to Sabre Springs Pkwy. I rode OK here but pushed the pace once we got onto Rancho Carmel Dr and kept up a face pace all the way home, catching the light at RB Rd.  Finished in 58:41.

Total mileage = 17.9 mi
Avg heartrate = 143 bpm
Total elevation gain = 1050'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/499823320

08-09-2014 Ride

Solo ride over to John's house, taking the normal route.  It was overcast and fairly mild on this stretch of the ride.  I really pushed it hard on pace on the little hill up to his place, probably the highest output I've ever had (not sure if it was the fastest) on this climb.  At his house, I met up with him and Dave, and we headed over to Scripps-Poway Pkwy, then down to Black Mountain Rd.  It's a gradual climb from there up to Mira Mesa Blvd. then we headed over to Miramar Rd.  Stayed on Kearny Villa Rd until we turned at Clairemont Mesa Blvd, where they are building a new Kaiser Permanente Hospital. Then it was a right onto Murphy Canyon Rd and downhill, for the most part, until we got to the bike trail that leads into the Qualcomm Stadium parking lot.  We rode around the perimeter of the lot, seeing a number of rally cars racing on courses laid out in the parking lot, as well as a sign for parking for the Wiener Dog Races.  We exited onto Friars Rd, heading east.  Dave was starting to slow down by this time, and it was definitely warming up.  With the high humidity, I was sweating quite a bit.  We rode down to just past the 163, then turned right onto Ulric St.  There is a gradual climb here, a little over a mile, that has a pretty steady 4-5% grade.  I couldn't maintain a 10 mph pace on it.  We all gathered together back at the top, then turned right onto Linda Vista Rd, which we took all the way to Aero Dr.  A short jog over to Kearny Villa Rd, which we took back to Pomerado Rd and the normal way back to John's house.  I had a decent ride to the top of the hill on Pomerado, keeping my pace even with John's until it started to get steeper near the end.  I had some cold watermelon and a soda at his place before heading home.  It was breezy and warm on the last stretch, so I wasn't able to push the pace.  I took the Sabre Springs route, following the time trial route to get home.  I felt fine at the end, was probably a little dehydrated, but my legs weren't really sore or tired.  I was tired, but a quick nap helped out there.

Avg speed = 17.2 mph. Total mileage = 56.6 mi
Total elevation gain = 3140'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/499114842

08-08-2014 Ride

Solo ride on a Friday morning before work.  It was totally dark when I started, around 5:20, and I needed my bike light to see where I was going.  I headed through the neighborhood to RB Rd.  I've been under stress from work stuff, and I could tell the difference in my heartrate and output level.  I took the route down Camino del Sur over to the 56 bike trail, heading down to Carmel Valley Rd.  On the middle incline stretch, I was able to keep my speed above 20 mph, with a fairly good effort.  Back to Dove Canyon Rd, keeping it above 10 mph on the climb up to and past Black Mountain Rd, again with a high level of effort.  Then it was back home the normal way via W Bernardo Rd.

Avg speed = 17.6 mph. Total mileage = 25.0 mi
Avg heartrate = 140 bpm
Total elevation gain = 2020'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/497935660

08-03-2014 Ride

Time trial ride with John and Jim, meeting the latter at his house.  It had been raining in the night, and the roads had some wet spots but not too many.  However, the air was really humid throughout much of the ride, which is pretty unusual for San Diego.  I started out slow and picked up the pace a little bit, beginning around Sabre Springs Pkwy.  Not really fast, just a little faster.  I had a good little stretch going up the rise on Camino del Norte and I was able to finish on Duenda Rd pretty well.  Time was 1:01:55.

Total mileage = 17.9 mph
Avg heartrate = 134 bpm
Total elevation gain = 1050'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/492655448

08-02-2014 Ride

Solo ride initially, going down by the park and up Pomerado Rd to Higa Pl, turning left on Gabard Rd and then getting onto Lomica Dr.  I took it to Acena Dr and then took a left on RB Rd.  Back to W Bernardo Dr, then a left on Poblado Rd to ride around Westwood and back to home.  I met up with John, then waited for Jim and Dave to show up.  Both were a little late.  All together, we headed over the bridge by Lake Hodges and up to BVP, then took Via Rancho Pkwy to Del Dios Hwy.  That little hill by Felicita is quite steep, it had been awhile since I rode it.  In the early part of the ride, Dave was lagging behind, his back was giving him some problems.  We rode down to El Camino del Norte and then took it to Rancho Santa Fe Rd, turning right.  This road has a gradual grade, then a nice decline to the turn to head northeast.  Here it's generally a steady climb to just before San Elijo Rd.  There were some other cyclists on the road ahead, so I worked a little harder to chase them down.  After a small descent, there is another climb up to Lake San Marcos, then a downhill to San Marcos Blvd.  We turned right, then took another right on Discovery St, following it to Craven Rd and by CSUSM.  Over to Barham Dr, which we followed to Mission Rd and on into Escondido.  We caught a number of lights here, which slowed us down somewhat.  Turned right on Centre City Pkwy and from here took the normal route home.  Dave peeled off by his house, so it was just the three of us on the last stretch.  John really pushed the pace going across the bridge, and I was able to mark him but not pass him.  Felt fine at the end, Jim's legs were cramping up, so he stopped by and we had a smoothie.

Avg speed = 17.4 mph. Total mileage = 49.1 mi
Avg heartrate = 137 bpm
Total elevation gain = 3110'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/492198780

08-01-2014 Ride

Solo ride early in the morning.  I had originally planned on riding on Thursday morning, but a late change to my meeting schedule quashed that possibility.  I left a little before 5:30, and it was definitely dark for at least the first 30 min.  Luckily, the route I took had streetlights to light the bike lanes reasonably well, and I had my lights on.  I headed through the neighborhood to RB Rd and then to Camino del Sur.  Then it was over to San Dieguito Rd and down the hill.  It was still pretty dark, maybe because the day was overcast so the sun wasn't out.  I made good time on the ride in the flats, turning on El Camino Real and slowing down after the turn to get ready for the little climb into Del Mar Heights.  I had a decent climb here, keeping it above 10 mph the whole way but giving it a full effort to do so.  Then it was down to the 56 bike trail, which I took all the way back to Camino del Sur.  I was slower on the first little rise but sped up on the second rise to catch up with a rider who was pretty far in front of me.  I headed back home on Camino del Sur, retracing my route once I got to RB Rd.  Felt good about my level of effort, but it caused by lower back to be sore for the rest of the day.

Avg speed = 18.2 mph. Total mileage = 34.0 mi
Avg heartrate = 138 bpm
Total elevation gain = 2470'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/490905734