01-31-2015 Ride

Solo ride from home her to John's house, taking the normal route. It was overcast, so the temperature wasn't too low. But my toes were numb for much of the ride anyway. I rode at a steady pace but not too fast, and I was lower than I wanted on the last hill to his house.  We headed up to the top of Pomerado Rd and down to get over to Kearny Villa Rd.  John was riding well, and we made good time.  Down to Ruffin Rd, taking a left on Claremont Mesa Blvd, which has some minor ups and downs.  Then we turned left on Santo Rd to get over to the 52 bike trail.  This was the first time I rode it in this direction, and it was easy enough for me to keep my pace above 11 mph for much of the climb.  We rode down to Mast Blvd and headed through Santee to get to Magnolia Ave and over to El Nopal.  I was slowing down by this time, knowing that we had to climb up the 67 grade.  So we rode together over to the 67 and to the base of the grade. He got out ahead before, but I caught up with him on the initial pets of the climb.  The first section was bad but not awful, and my lower back held out fine. I was slow at the end, and I didn't have any drive to push the pace on the downhill and flatter sections.  Got to the top and waited for him to catch up, then we headed back to his house the normal way.  I was finding that I had decent stamina but no extra push in my legs, and this was the case on the way home, where I retraced my route. Steady speed but not great and nothing in the tank to give an extra effort.  Legs were tired and a little sore afterward, but the soreness didn't last too long.

Avg speed = 16.3 mph. Total mileage = 58.0 mi
Total elevation gain = 3980'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/624370506

01-25-2015 Ride

Time trial ride with John and Jim, not wearing a jacket and going in regular bike shorts.  It was the right choice, as I wasn't really cold on the ride.  I rode really fast up to Jim's house, but I couldn't sustain my high initial pace all the way to the top.  I rode a little faster in the initial part of the ride than I had done in previous time trials.  I slowed it down once we got onto RB Rd and stayed with the others until about halfway up to Pomerado Hospital, when I got a little separation from them.  Then we rode basically together down to Poway Rd, where John and I rode out ahead.  A little more separation on Sabre Springs Pkwy and Rancho Carmel Dr, particularly on the latter near the post office, where I kept up a steady but not scorching pace.  I pushed it a little bit on the last couple of little climbs and had enough near the end to make a decent push down W Bernardo Dr before turning onto Duenda Rd.  Finished in 1:01:00, which is the fastest time I've logged in awhile.

Total mileage = 18.0 mi
Total elevation gain = 1050'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/620240254

01-24-2015 Ride

I had looked at my bike the previous evening and discovered that I'd lost one of the bolts holding my chainrings onto the crank.  I was able to take one from my old bike and it fit, although it uses a different size hex wrench.

Solo ride initially over to Dave's house, taking the pedestrian bridge over to BVP and up to Sunset Dr, following it up to Juniper St and taking this road to 9th Ave.  I rode over to Centre City Pkwy and headed back to Felicita Rd to Redwood St and using it to connect to Montview Dr and then to Alexander Dr.  I met up with Dave and John, and we headed over to Brotherton Rd and then on the side road by Centre City Pkwy to Citracado Pkwy for a very steep up and down to get to Felicita Rd.  We rode over to Via Rancho Pkwy and took this uphill section (it had been a while since I rode this way) to get over to Del Dios Hwy, turning right and following Valley Pkwy to Auto Park Way.  We took this road over to Enterprise St and then on Mission Rd to get over to Nordahl Rd.  We stayed on this road as it turned into Nutmeg St, riding over to Country Club Ln and then up to Ash St.  I thought this little uphill section would be steeper than it actually was.  Then it was down to El Norte Pkwy.  By this time, Dave was starting to slow down significantly, so I started slowing down as well, trying to ride with him and give him a break by drafting on my wheel.  We rode all the way up to Valley Pkwy and then took it over to BVP, keeping a generally slow pace to stay with Dave.  Over to the 78, where I put a little speed on the climb up and then down into the San Pasqual Valley.  On the downhill, a coyote came out of the brush about 10 yds in front of me when I was going about 38 mph, which gave me a little adrenaline jolt.  I waited for the others at the bottom of the hill and took the next section over to Old Milky Way pretty slow to keep with Dave,  We made decent time riding together back to San Pasqual Rd and had the benefit of a nice tailwind pushing us up the moderate climb out of the valley.  I was feeling good on this section and got out ahead of the others, waiting for them by Orfila Winery.  From there, we rode more slowly back to Sunset Dr, taking it up and over to Escondido Blvd.  On the initial ascent, John went out really quickly, and I had to push it to stay with him until he slowed down.  Over to Centre City Pkwy and then to Brotherton Rd to get back to Dave's house, where Suzanne had made us smoothies.  I rode back by Centre City Cycles to see if I could get a spare nut and bolt set for my chainrings, but they were closed, so I rode back on Escondido Blvd to Citracado Pkwy and then onto Centre City Pkwy.  From there, it was the normal route home, and I felt pretty good at the finish of this ride, not having ridden as hard as I could have.

Avg speed = 15.8 mph. Total mileage = 46.3 mi
Total elevation gain = 2610'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/619574976

01-22-2015 Ride

Solo ride in the morning on a workday when I didn't have to be in early.  I left home a little before 6:30 and started off okay, with pretty good strength to begin with.  Headed through the neighborhood to RB Rd and over to Camino del Sur, taking it down to the 56 bike trail.  On this section, I did okay, and I even felt decent on the ride down to Carmel Valley Rd.  At this point, I slowed down, not sure if it was low energy or poor fitness, but I couldn't keep up a strong pace.  I made it to the top of the climb by Black Mountain Rd without dropping below 10 mph, but it was a real challenge, and I benefited from a rest at the stop light.  From that point, I was not that fast, taking this road back to Dove Canyon Rd and up to RB Rd, retracing my route from there.  I still have a ways to go before I'm back in good cycling shape with good stamina.

Avg speed = 16.4 mph. Total mileage = 25.4 mi
Total elevation gain = 2030'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/618287952

01-19-2015 Ride

Solo ride, initially, taking the pedestrian bridge over Lake Hodges and around to BVP.  It was cool but not very cold, and I was comparatively warm, with just a little numbness in my toes.  I headed up to Sunset Dr, taking it to Juniper St.  I was able to keep it above 10 mph, but I could tell that my legs were still feeling it from the weekend's exercise.  All the way to Washington St, using it to connect to Broadway.  Then it was to Village Dr and Joe's house, where I met up with him.  We rode over to Country Club Ln and then to El Norte Pkwy, following it until it turned into Borden Rd and taking this to Twin Oaks Valley Pkwy and over to Richmar Dr, getting onto Mission Ave via Marcos St.  Joe was riding pretty well at the start, not super fast but generally keeping up.  We rode over to Rancho Santa Fe Rd and took it to get over to Palomar Airport Rd.  From here, it was a fairly fast shot down to the coast, since it was generally downhill and we had a small tailwind.  Once we got to PCH, we headed south, generally into the wind (not major but noticeable), and Joe slowed down.  Over to La Costa Ave, where we turned and started heading back.  This stretch of road is nice to ride on, with no real major hills and just a little bit of a climb right before it intersects with Rancho Santa Fe Rd, where we turned toward San Marcos.  Gradual climb up to just before the San Elijo Hills turnoff, then a downhill before another steady climb back to San Marcos Blvd, where we turned right and followed it all the way to its end, where it turns into Woodward St, from which we turned right onto Vineyard Rd.  Then we connected back to Borden Rd and retraced our route to Joe's house.  A brief stop there for me, then I headed home via the Centre City Pkwy route.  My cardio felt fine, just not a lot of drive in my legs on this day.  So I was really slow on the last couple of little hills going home.

Avg speed = 16.1 mph. Total mileage = 56.6 mi
Total elevation gain = 2760'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/616172286

01-18-2015 Ride

Time trial ride with John and Jim, and the temperature was just about right for double gloves. Not a lot of riding lately, other than a pretty big workout on Saturday, so I managed my pace at a steady one, staying generally with John except on the section by Sabre Springs Pkwy, where I got out ahead of the others.  They got away sooner than me after the rest at the top, and I got caught at a light, so I had to work hard to catch up with them right before the intersection at Carmel Mountain Rd.  Again some separation on the next two climbs, waiting for them at various points.  On the last section after the downhill, John let it all hang out, and I stayed on his wheel until putting in a big push myself to pass him.  That pretty much did it for me for the ride.  Finished in 1:05:25.

Total mileage = 17.8 mi
Total elevation gain = 1050'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/615304662

01-17-2015 Ride

Solo ride from home to John's house following the normal route. It was just dawning, so I had both lights on. I hadn't ridden much recently, but I generally felt fine, just no real strength I could sustain. I made it up the last little hill above 10 mph and met up with John and Jim at John's house.  We headed up to the top of Pomerado Rd and then down to connect to Kearny Villa Rd, taking it down to Ruffin Rd and then to Murphy Canyon Rd via Clairemont Mesa Blvd.  All the way down into Mission Valley and Friar's Rd via a detour through the north end of the parking lot at Qualcomm Stadium. Then we rode over to Mission Center Rd and up into Serra Mesa. The last bit of this climb is fairly steep but not overly long.  Left at the top onto Murray Ridge Rd, which we took over to Sandrock Rd and then left onto Aero Dr to get over to Kearny Villa Rd.  Jim was starting to fall back by this time, but John was still going strong.  We took this road back to the intersection point with our original route, and I got out in front a little bit on the section by MCAS Miramar.  Same thing on the climb up to the top of Pomerado Rd, although John was riding pretty well.  Back to his house, then I essentially retraced my route back home, seeing Kevin Miller on the way and changing course a little bit to say hello to him.  Felt fine at the end of the ride, and we later hiked about 4 mi in Hellhole Canyon with the church group.  I was surprised during the hike that my legs weren't bothering me, but maybe it's just different muscles being exercised.

Avg speed = 17.0 mph. Total mileage = 53.5 mi
Total elevation gain = 2710'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/614674270

01-07-2015 Ride

Ride to work in the morning, since my car was in the shop to have the catalytic converter replaced.

Total mileage = 2.5 mi
Total elevation gain = 360'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/608735042

01-04-2015 Ride

Time trial ride with John, morning was cold but not super cold. I wore Ann's thermal mittens, and they kept my hands warm. They did make it hard to shift gears and brake. My legs were still tired from the previous two days of riding. I kept at John's pace on the flats and downhills and got a little bit ahead on the climbing sections.  Finished in 1:04:57.

Total mileage = 17.9 mi
Avg heartrate = 136 bpm
Total elevation gain = 1050'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/606864046

01-03-2015 Ride

Solo ride from the Carmel Mountain Rd parking spot over to John's house in the early morning, when it was just getting light enough to ride.  This early stretch was cold, even though I had double gloves on, and my fingertips were numb and stinging by the time I got to the bottom of the little climb up to his place.  I met up with him and Dave, and we headed to the top of Pomerado Rd.  My legs were shot from the previous day's exertions, so this was a grind-it-out ride for me, where I basically stayed at the pace of the other two.  In the early section, I rode with John a little bit ahead, then we all rode together for awhile.  Down Pomerado Rd to Kearny Villa Rd, taking it over to Balboa Ave and heading west.  We rode all the way to Soledad Mountain Rd, where I stopped and took off my hat and outer gloves.  Then I rode steadily and slowly to catch up with the others and get a little bit ahead of him.  This was probably the slowest pace I've ever rode up this climb.  After the turn heading to the cross, I stopped and had a banana from an unattended aid station, waiting for the others.  We rode up to the top, rested for a short while, and then took the Via Capri route down, with me and Dave riding the brakes pretty much the whole way.  I was again slow and steady on the climb up Torrey Pines Rd to La Jolla Village Dr, getting up to near the turn before turning back and riding to where Dave was, then following him to meet up with John ahead.  We continued on this road as it turned into Miramar Rd, and again I split time riding at John's pace and slowing down to catch up with Dave and ride with him.  I was tired by this time, cardio in good shape but legs without any push in them.  We all three started up Pomerado Rd, and John and I got some separation on the last tilt up near the top.  Then it was back to John's place the normal way, where I stopped very briefly before retracing my route back to where the car was parked.  This last section was painfully slow for me, as I was gassed and ready to be done.

Avg speed = 14.3 mph. Total mileage = 47.7 mi
Avg heartrate = 123 bpm
Total elevation gain = 3070'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/606338838

01-02-2015 Ride

Initial ride over to meet Joe near CSUSM.  I rode over the freeway and took BVP to Sunset Dr, connecting to Escondido Blvd.  Then I turned left on Felicita Ave and right on Centre City Pkwy, riding it out to Mission Rd.  The wind was working with me when I headed north, then started to get in my face once I turned west.  Out Mission Rd to Barham Dr, then up to La Moree Rd, where I met up with Joe and found a parking space on the street at the end of La Moree Rd.  We headed west on Barham Dr to Discovery St and Rush Dr, connecting to Craven Rd.  On the downhill turn from Craven Rd onto Discovery St, Joe missed the turn and went over the curb, flattening his front tire but not getting to banged up.  He landed in a grassy culvert, which helped.  We fixed his tire and continued on, heading over to San Marcos Blvd and taking Palomar Airport Rd all the way to the coast.  I was feeling pretty good, solid in my legs.  We headed north once we got onto PCH, taking it through Carlsbad and Oceanside, turning right on Oceanside.Blvd.  Joe was starting to slow down by this point, so I would ride ahead and wait for him when I got too far out in front.  We rode up to Santa Fe Ave, turned right here and took it all the way up to Mission Rd.  Once we got onto Mission Rd, I stayed at Joe's pace.  We took it up to San Marcos Blvd and turned left on Rancheros Dr, taking it up to Mata Way, where Lost Abbey Brewery is located.  There we met up with John Weiss for some beers and conversation.  I was there for about an hour and a half, the last half hour to sober up before heading home.  I took Rancheros Dr to Woodland Pkwy and over to Barham Dr.  Over to Mission Rd and then over to Valley Pkwy via the Tulip St route.  Right on Quince St and up to 13th St to get over to Centre City Pkwy, then home via the normal way from there.

Total mileage = 57.7 mi
Avg heartrate = 135 bpm
Total elevation gain = 2430'
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/605962340