12-31-2015 Rides

Last road bike ride of the year, a casual one with Dave and John from my house.  We headed out through the neighborhood to RB Rd and then to Dove Canyon Rd.  Headed up Carmel Valley Rd to Camino del Sur and then to the 56 bike trail.  Down to El Camino Real, where there is a new ramp from the trail to the road on the east side.  Up and then back down over to Via de la Valle, staying together with the others on the flats.  Over to San Dieguito Rd using Via de Santa Fe and El Apajo.  I started steadily up the climb here and was able to keep it above 10 mph all the way to the top with a significant effort.  Dave wanted to ct the ride short at this point, so we headed back through the Del Sur neighborhood to Lone Quail Rd and then RB Rd.  Then it was back home through the neighborhood, with smoothies at the end for me and John.

Avg speed = 14.7 mph. Total mileage = 34.2 mi
Avg heartrate = 125 bpm
Total elevation gain = 2470'
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1292896955

Later, Ann and I drove down to Coronado Island and rode on the Bayshore Bikeway by the Silver Strand.  I had bought a new beach cruiser earlier in the week, and it was my first time trying it out.  It has straight handlebars, which are okay for handling but not quite as comfortable.  The seat it also a little uncomfortable, but I can get used to it.  We had the wind at our backs on the way out.  We stopped and had a snack at Silver Strand Beach State Park, then rode to a turnaround point at the Loews Resort.  It was much slower on the way back, riding into the wind, but we made it fine.

Total mileage = 9.0 mi
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1294398461

12/30/2015 Ride

Solo ride over to Dave's house, taking the pedestrian bridge to BVP and then up to Sunset Dr and over to Escondido Blvd.  It was cold at the start, particularly for my fingers.  Up to Felicita Rd, then left and over to Citracado Blvd.  Back to Alexander St and then to Dave's house.  It seemed like it was warming up by this time.  We met up, rode over to Centre City Pkwy, and then took it out to Country Club Ln and over to Joe's house.  The three of us got back onto Centre City Pkwy and headed north up to Deer Springs Rd.  Then it was down the hill and past Lawrence Welk Blvd, and it got cold again and generally stayed cold for the next hour or so.  We rode out to Camino del Rey and took it toward Bonsall, getting onto Old River Rd and over to Vista Way.  There is a steady climb here that continued once we turned onto Gopher Canyon Rd.  It dropped down a little bit after that, then there was another steady climb before the short steep descent back to Old 395.  I waited for the others to join up after this turn, and then we rode together back toward Lawrence Welk Village.  On the climb back out of this valley, I pretty much kept my speed above 10 mph, with just a couple of very temporary drops below.  It took a big effort, mostly mental but physical too, especially near the top.  Back to Joe's house from there, then Dave and I rode down Village Rd to Iris Ln and back to Centre City Pkwy.  I was feeling the effects of the mileage and climbing, and Dave and I kept pretty much the same pace all the way back to his house.  Home from there via the normal route, and my legs held up all the way to the end, with no cramping, just tiredness.  Not much soreness later in the day either.

After the ride, I replaced the battery in my Cateye Micro cyclometer, but I forgot to record the odometer reading before I took the battery out.  Oh well.  Wheel diameter is 2118 mm.

Avg speed = 15.9 mph. Total mileage = 53.7 mi

Avg heartrate = 135 bpm

Total elevation gain = 3340'

http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1291985211

12-28-2015 Ride

Solo ride in the morning, and it was colder than it has been since last year, probably below 35 deg.  I bundled up pretty well, and the only thing that stayed cold in the ride were my toes, although my fingers were cold (even with double gloves) at the start.  Headed through the neighborhood to RB Rd and then out to Camino del Sur.  Over to Carmel Valley Rd, taking a right and heading down to the 56 bike trail.  Then it was back on the bike trail all the way to Rancho Penasquitos Blvd, keeping it at a modest pace all the way, above 10 mph on the climbing sections.  To Poway Rd, staying on it all the way up to Espola Rd, giving me a chance to work more on climbing.  Then I took Espola Rd back to RB Rd, with the other little gradual climb that went up to the high school.  Back home, still with cold toes, taking the W Bernardo Dr standard route home.  Felt fine from the muscles standpoint at the end.

Avg speed = 16.5 mph. Total mileage = 34.0 mi
Avg heartrate = 135 bpm
Total elevation gain = 2370'
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1290066355

12-26-2015 Ride

Solo ride, on a windy day, heading over to BVP via the pedestrian bridge.  Up to Sunset Dr and then to Juniper St, working fairly hard to make way into the wind.  Up to Washington St, taking a left there and riding down to Quince St.  Back south to 13th St and then onto Centre City Pkwy to get to Felicita Rd.  Took it over to Citracado Pkwy, then back to Dave's house via Alexander Dr.  He and I then headed up Brotherton Rd to Miller Ave and then took Citracado Pkwy back to Felicita Rd, this time heading south to connect to Via Rancho Pkwy.  The climb up was a challenge, as usual.  I waited at the top for Dave and took the sleeves off of my jacket.  He passed me while I wasn't looking, so I ended up heading back downhill quite a ways to see where he'd gone.  I rode back uphill and saw him coming back to meet me.  We connected again and headed down to Del Dios Hwy, taking it all the way to El Camino del Norte.  Right there, and then through Rancho Santa Fe neighborhoods to Rancho Santa Fe Rd.  We got onto this road and stayed with it up the climb toward San Elijo Hills.  In this section, the wind was in our faces, so it was a pretty slow go up this moderate climb.  We got onto San Elijo Rd and took it all the way to the top, a very slow ride indeed for me, first gear most of the way.  On the way down to connect with Twin Oaks Valley Pkwy, my bike was wobbling, perhaps due to having to ride into a stiff headwind.  I stopped to check everything out, but it looked okay.  Back down to Barham Dr, taking it to Mission Rd and then right on Auto Park Way.  By this time, we were both pretty tired, Dave more so, so the pace was slow.  Up the last steep section of Auto Park Way west of the freeway, until it connected with 11th Ave and Bernardo Ave.  This road connects, after a short, steep little climb, to Gamble Ln, and from there it was the normal way back to Dave's house for a smoothie and a rest.  I rode home the normal way, feeling fine in my legs on the last two climbs.  No soreness, just really tired muscles at the end of this ride.

Avg speed = 15.0 mph. Total mileage = 50.7 mi
Total elevation gain = 3560'
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1288360957

12-25-2015 Ride

This was my first time riding on Christmas in recent memory.  It hadn't been a great Christmas season for me, so I thought some exercise would help (it did).  It had been raining in the evening, and the roads were still wet.  Headed up Azucar Way to Duenda Rd, then over to Bernardo Center Dr, staying on it all the way to Camino del Norte.  Not much traffic to deal with.  Took this road over to Carmel Mountain Rd, then onto Rancho Carmel Dr.  From here, it was a reverse of the time trial route back to RB Rd.  On the Pomerado Rd section, I felt like I was laboring and not able to spin with any appreciable energy.  Stayed on Pomerado Rd down to the freeway and then back home the normal way from there.  I had a good little section up the hill before the park but slowed down at the very end of the last climb.  Was glad to see my average speed above 17 mph for the first time in a while.

Avg speed = 17.2 mph. Total mileage = 20.2 mi
Avg heartrate = 143 bpm
Total elevation gain = 1190'
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1287368361

12-24-2015 Ride

Ride from home on the morning of Christmas Eve with Dave and John.  I had hoped to ride earlier in the week, but my work schedule and poor weather kept it from happening.  We headed up Aguamiel Rd to Duenda Rd, then down to W Bernardo Dr.  Took it up to RB Rd, then stayed on this road over to Camino del Sur.  I would get out ahead of Dave and John on the uphill sections, then wait for them to catch up.  Stayed on Camino del Sur to Carmel Valley Rd, turning right and taking it over to the 56 bike trail, then to Carmel Country Rd.  I had never climbed this road, so that's what we did.  This little climb is pretty challenging, about 1.5 mi with a fairly steep section in the middle of it.  At the top, we gathered together and then rode down, crossing the 56 and taking a right on Carmel Canyon Rd to get over to Del Mar Heights Rd.  Dave was slowing down by this time, so I slowed my pace somewhat.  Back to Carmel Valley Rd, which we stayed on all the way to Dove Canyon Rd.  I kept my pace above 10 mph on the climb around Black Mountain Rd, but it was a chore to do so, and I benefited from a break at the light there.  Dove Canyon Rd over to RB Rd and then home the normal way through the neighborhood.  The last section was slow, as I dialed my pace back to avoid getting too far ahead of the others.  It was a fairly easy day for me.

Avg speed = 15.9 mph. Total mileage = 30.4 mi
Avg heartrate = 138 bpm
Total elevation gain = 2240'
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1286861117

12-20-2015 Ride

Ride up to Jim's house, intending to ride the time trial route with him.  We started from his place and, as he was riding up Duenda Rd over the freeway, he was having real trouble with his left knee.  So he ended up having to turn back and ride home.  I kept going, riding over to Bernardo Center Dr and staying on it up to Lomica Dr.  Rode over to Pomerado Rd via this route, then stayed on Pomerado Rd up to Scripps-Poway Pkwy to get some additional miles in.  I was able to keep my speed above 10 mph on the climb up to Springbrook Dr, but it took a big effort from me.  Down to Sabre Springs Pkwy, staying on it and Rancho Carmel Dr up to the first turn onto Carmel Mountain Rd.  Then I followed the time trial route, staying on W Bernardo Dr all the way down to Aguamiel Rd for the final little climb back to the house.  I put in a big effort for my fitness level and was disappointed in my average speed.  More miles and general exercise needed to get in better shape.

Avg speed = 16.6 mph. Total mileage = 20.2 mi
Avg heartrate = 148 bpm
Total elevation gain = 1320'
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1283506015

12-19-2015 Ride

Solo ride initially, after having to fix a flat rear tire.  Over Lake Hodges via the pedestrian bridge, then onto BVP to Beethoven Dr, getting over to the bike trail that links up with El Kit Ave and then Escondido Blvd.  It was quite cold, although not freezing, on the early part of this ride, and I didn't have a lot of energy.  Up to Citracado Pkwy, onto Centre City Pkwy, and then up to Felicita Ave.  I rode to Dave's house via Redwood St to Montview Dr to Alexander Dr.  Met up with him and John, and we headed back to Centre City Pkwy to ride out to Deer Springs Rd.  I kept my pace pretty much the same as the others, getting out a little ahead on the climbing sections and then falling behind on the downhills.  We rode over to Buena Creek Rd and then to Santa Fe Ave/Mission Rd.  Again, here I was plodding on the climbs.  Back into town via Mission Rd, getting back onto Centre City Pkwy.  Dave wanted to put a little more distance in, so when we got to Felicita Ave we kept going up to Citracado Pkwy, then taking it back to Alexander Dr and to his house.  Smoothies, then I rode home the normal way, except for a little extra on W Bernardo Dr up to Nevoso Way and then to Cabela Dr to get back to Aguamiel Rd.  Felt fine at the end, it never really warmed up a lot.

Avg speed = 15.6 mph. Total mileage = 39.6 mi
Avg heartrate = 138 bpm
Total elevation gain = 1880'
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1282786647

12-12-2015 Ride

Well, this ride was an adventure.  It was Bethlehem Walk weekend, so I expected not to have a lot of energy and was looking for something fairly tame.  Rode solo over to John's house, following the normal route and not pushing the pace.  From there, we rode over to Scripps-Poway Pkwy and up to the 67.  It was a slow, steady slog for me.  Down toward Lakeside, turning on Lakeside Ave to get to Riverside Dr.  Then we rode El Nopal to Magnolia Ave to get onto Mast Blvd, over to the 52 bike trail.  I had a pretty good climb here, keeping it above 10 mph and mostly above 11 mph, helped by a tailwind.  It took a lot out of me, so I was slow the rest of the way.  Santo Rd to Clairemont Mesa Blvd, taking it over to Chesapeake Dr and then onto Ruffin Rd/Kearny Villa Rd.  Back to John's house the normal way, and it was a slow go indeed up Pomerado Rd.  I didn't hang around too long at his place, just headed back home the normal way, taking the RB Rd to W Bernardo Dr route.  The ride was more than I bargained for, but I was fine for the day after a nap.

Avg speed = 16.0 mph. Total mileage = 57.8 mi
Avg heartrate = 136 bpm
Total elevation gain = 4010'
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1276822223

12-06-2015 Ride

Time trial ride with Jim, taking it really easy.  Nothing special to report other than that it was a little chilly at the start and didn't warm up much during the ride, since it was overcast.

avg speed = 15.0 mph. Total mileage = 17.9 mi
Avg heartrate = 119 bpm
Total elevation gain =1060'
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1270760801

12-05-2015 Ride

Solo ride initially, riding over to Dave's house.  I saw a coyote on W Bernardo Dr before I got to the park.  Over the pedestrian bridge to BVP and up to Sunset Dr, taking it to Juniper Dr.  I was generally warm on the ride except for my toes, which were kind of numb.  Up to 5th St, taking it over to Centre City Pkwy and back toward Dave's place.  Up Montview Dr to Alexander Dr, where I met up with him, John, and Jim.  We rode back down to Centre City Pkwy, then headed north up to Deer Springs Pkwy, taking it down to Buena Creek Rd.  On a couple of places, I rode out ahead, but I wasn't riding very hard.  Stayed with the others here on this little climb, then we rode down the hill pretty fast, getting over to S Santa Fe Ave.  I rode a little faster on this section, trying to catch up with a cyclist who had a head start on us.  We all gathered back together before it became Mission Rd, then we rode back into Escondido, John and I out together in front and the others not too far behind.  Over to Centre City Pkwy and back to Felicita Ave, taking it to Redwood St and then to Alexander Dr.  A good smoothie at Dave's house, then back home the normal way.  I felt fine on the ride, not overly strong and just a little muscle soreness later in the day.

Avg speec = 16.5 mph. Total mileage = 40.5 mi
Avg heartrate = 140 bpm
Total elevation gain = 1910'
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1269929233