12-31-2020 Ride

Afternoon ride that I had to talk myself into.  No energy on this ride.  Down by the park and up Pomerado Rd to RB Rd, taking a left and riding up Espola Rd to the top and slightly down before turning around and riding back.  The wind was coming from the west and it was breezy.  Stayed on RB Rd back to Pomerado Rd, turning left and riding up to Higa Pl.  Through this neighborhood, turning on Lomica Dr to get back to RB Rd.  Up to Via del Campo, turning left and riding by the Amazon distribution center.  Right on Via Esprillo, then another right onto Via Frontera to ride by the Petco headquarters.  Then to W Bernardo Dr, heading home the normal way from here, other than coming home via Azucar Way.  Just couldn't muster any push during this ride.

Avg speed = 15.1 mph. Total mileage = 20.4 mi

Avg heartrate = 140 bpm

Total elevation gain = 1130'

https://www.strava.com/activities/4546649253

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/36602490146

12-30-2020 Ride

Solo ride over to Avinoam Halpern's house, he lives off Via Rancho Pkwy.  He wanted to meet at 10:00, so I got a later start for my ride than normal.  We met up and then headed down to Del Dios Hwy.  We were basically staying together, I wasn't pushing it as hard as I could.  Once we got to La Valley Plateada (there's a stop sign here, we turned left, then turned left again on El Vuelo, which eventually turns into Las Colinas.  This is the so-called Stud Loop that Kevin Miller had told me about in the past.  It goes through a really beautiful neighborhood of super-fancy houses before coming out onto Via de la Valle just before it tees into Paseo Delicias.  We turned right here, to make it a fairly short ride.  Back to Cielo, where we stopped for a coffee and conversation, really nice weather by then.  When we got ready to ride again, I found that I had a rear flat.  Repair went quickly, and we were riding in <10 min.  Back to Avi's house, where I pumped my tire up to full pressure before heading home.  On the Del Dios climb, I was able to keep it at 10 mph, a little above throughout the climb, felt decent, not killing myself with the effort to maintain this speed.  Took the normal way home, felt tired on the last two little climbs but kept the wheels spinning decently.  Average speed wasn't that great for this ride, but there were times when I felt pretty good pushing the pedals.

Avg speed = 16.1 mph. Total mileage = 31.8 mi

Avg heartrate = 136 bpm

Total elevation gain = 2490'

https://www.strava.com/activities/4541030237

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/36572606752

12-29-2020 Ride

Solo ride from home, heading out to BVP and staying on it until Sunset Dr, turning left and staying above 10 mph on this little climb.  Right on Juniper St, taking it all the way to Washington St before turning left to get over to Broadway, where I turned right.  Stayed on this road until El Norte Pkwy, where I turned left and got over to Centre City Pkwy.  From there, it was out to Deer Springs Rd, taking it to N Twin Oaks Valley Rd, where I turned right and rode out for a couple of miles, generally uphill but not too steep.  Turned around and rode back, staying on Twin Oaks Valley Pkwy until I got to Barham Dr, turning left to get to Mission Ave, which I took to get back to Centre City Pkwy.  From there, it was the normal way back home.  Nice ride.

Later in the day, Ann and I took a long hike (>5 mi) at Daley Ranch, and my feet were feeling it afterwards.  I didn't turn my Fitbit on while riding, so it logged my effort as steps.  That made my daily step total the highest it's ever been on this app.

Avg speed = 16.6 mph. Total mileage = 36.1 mi

Total elevation gain = 1720'

https://www.strava.com/activities/4535326586

12-27-2020 Ride

Solo ride initially, getting some miles in since our ride on Saturday was abbreviated.  Headed out through the neighborhood to RB Rd and then up to Ralphs Ranch Rd, turning right and taking it to its dead end.  Then I rode back to RB Rd and stayed on it to Lone Quail Rd, riding up to the little shopping center at its end and around the center before getting onto Dove Canyon Rd.  There is a new donut shop there.  Right on Camino del Norte, taking it up to Camino San Bernardo and turning left.  Rode down the street where Hawthorne Equipment is located, then retraced back to CSB, turning right on RB Rd and taking it down the hill to W Bernardo Dr.  Over to Matinal Rd, then right on Matinal Cir to head over to Jim's place.  I met up with him and then we rode the time trial route, me taking it easy and staying with him, for the most part  He had a flat up on Pomerado Rd, a large brad had gotten stuck in his rear tire.  Other than that, it was uneventful.

Avg speed = 15.8 mph. Total mileage = 29.2 mi

Avg heartrate = 136 bpm

Total elevation gain = 1870'

https://www.strava.com/activities/4526041560

12-26-2020 Ride

 Ride up to Jim's house via Azucar Way, meeting him and heading over to W Bernardo Dr for the downhill and across the freeway to get to BVP.  We rode up to Sunset Dr, then took it (staying over 10 mph on this little climb) to Juniper St and then to Felicita Rd, to get over to Centre City Pkwy.  All going well at this time, slow pace but nice riding weather after starting out a little bit cool.  We got just past the 78, and I noticed that my rear tire was going flat.  When I got off and looked at it, the tire was worn through to the under-tread in several places, so I decided to cut the ride short and head back toward home after fixing the flat.  To El Norte Pkwy, then over to Broadway to head back  Just past the 78 going the other way, Jim had to stop a flat caused by stickers that he got in his tire when we stopped to fix my flat.  Bummer.  After the repair we continued on into downtown Escondido, turning right onto Grand Ave and riding back to Centre City Pkwy.  We stayed on this road until turning left onto Citracado Pkwy and then using the back way, via Kit Carson Park, to get to BVP.  Took the pedestrian bridge route back across Lake Hodges, then the steady climb back to Duenda Rd on W Bernardo Dr back to Jim's house.  A shortened little ride.

Avg speed = 14.6 mph. Total mileage = 20.4 mi

Avg heartrate = 136 bpm

Total elevation gain = 980'

https://www.strava.com/activities/4521152293

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/36515680486

12-25-2020 Ride

Christmas morning ride after beignets and coffee and cleaning up the back porch for lunch with Emily and Caleb, so a little bit of a late start.  Headed through the neighborhood to Poblado Rd and then to W Bernardo Dr to get to RB Rd.  Stayed on this road to Espola Rd, riding steady but not really pushing it.  Up to the top and then the nice downhill.  I talked myself into continuing on to Poway Rd, then enjoyed the faster downhill.  Right on Community Rd, again using a steady but not pushy pace.  To Pomerado Rd, then back home from there the normal way by the library.  Nice little exercise break in the late morning.

Avg speed = 16.7 mph. Total mileage = 21.0 mi

Avg heartrate = 142 bpm

Total elevation gain = 1440'

https://www.strava.com/activities/4516786632

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/36486520090

12-24-2020 Ride

 Solo ride on Christmas Eve morning, getting a little bit of a late start.  It was overcast and at times I felt a droplet or two, but in general weather was good for riding.  I headed over the freeway and up BVP, not fully committed to where I was going.  Headed out to E Valley Pkwy and toward Valley Center, thinking I would turn around before the climb.  But I talked myself into it and made it up the 3 mi steady incline, slow but not struggling that much.  Out past Lilac Rd turnoff for another mile or so before turning around and heading back.  On the little climb back up to the top of the VC grade, I kept it above 10 mph, a decent little effort.  The ride down was fast, almost 50 mph at max.  And even beyond, maybe due to a little bit of a tailwind, I made good time all the way back, retracing my route.  This was a nice little ride.

Avg speed = 16.7 mph. Total mileage = 30.8 mi

Avg heartrate = 147 bpm

Total elevation gain = 1900'

https://www.strava.com/activities/4513457480

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/36489389877

12-23-2020 Rides

 First ride was over to North Park Produce, heading through the neighborhood to Matinal Rd and then to W Bernardo Dr to get to RB Rd.  I turned onto Bernardo Center Dr and rode up to Bernardo Heights Pkwy, turning left and heading over to Pomerado Rd.  Up to this point, the ride was cool and foggy, but the fog broke up once I got onto Pomerado Rd.  I was keeping my pace easy, not pushing it at all.  Got some stocking stuffers at the store, then headed back home via Pomerado Rd to RB Rd and then to W Bernardo Dr.  On the way back, it seemed colder than when I headed out, and I was a little chilled when I got home.  Was there for about a half hour, then I rode up to meet Jim for another short ride.  We took his preferred loop, up by work, then down Bernardo Center Dr to Carmel Valley Rd.  I was pushing myself harder on the climbs, kept it above 10 mph all the way to the top of Carmel Valley Rd, including the little climb up to work.  Turned right on Camino del Sur and rode back to RB Rd.  Here, I slowed down a little and rode with Jim before picking it up prior to the downhill toward W Bernardo Dr.  We rode together the rest of the way back to his house.

Avg speed = 15.6 mph. Total mileage = 15.8 and 16.5 mi

Avg heartrate = 133 bpm

Total elevation gain = 880' & 1210'

https://www.strava.com/activities/4508927823

https://www.strava.com/activities/4509292354

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/36457306105

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/36456086302

12-20-2020 Ride

Time trial ride with Jim and John, John met me at my house.  On this one, I tried to push the pace fairly consistently but didn't have a lot of enduring power in my legs.  Felt it on all of the climbing sections, so I never really got a sustained momentum going.  Finished in 1:01:10, wished it could have been better.

Avg speed = 17.5 mph. Total mileage = 17.8 mi

Avg heartrate = 149 bpm

Total elevation gain = 1090'

https://www.strava.com/activities/4497003788

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/36421070119

12/19/2020 Ride

Ride from home with John, no Jim, who had a water leak in his home overnight.  It was clear and a little below 40 at the start, but it warmed up to a bearable temperature fairly soon.  We rode over to Via Rancho Pkwy, up that sharp little climb (slower but not too bad) and then over to Del Dios Hwy.  Down the hill into Rancho Santa Fe, then through to the S8, it had been a while since I rode on this road.  We took it down to El Camino Real, turning left to take a nice downhill to Via de la Valle.  Short jog to stay on El Camino Real, taking it over to San Dieguito Rd.  It was cooler here, maybe because of the flats.  We traded leads until we got to the climb.  I was able to keep it above 11 mph for most of the climb, just a short stretch near the top where I was putting all the effort into it that I had.  We connected back at Camino del Sur, taking it to Paseo del Sur and turning right here.  John was slowing down, so I dialed my speed way back as well and rode closer to where he was riding.  Over to Potomac Ridge Rd, turning right to get to Nighthawk Ln.  Right here, riding over to Camino San Bernardo.  I kept my pace dialed back until we crossed Dove Canyon Rd and it got steeper.  Over to RB Rd, taking it up and down to W Bernardo Dr.  John stayed on this road past the normal turn, so we finished by coming up Aguamiel Rd.  Felt fine on this ride, just a little tired at the end.

Avg speed = 16.0 mph. Total mileage = 32.9 mi

Avg heartrate = 139 bpm

Total elevation gain = 2250'

https://www.strava.com/activities/4492393944

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/36378643036

12/13/2020 Ride

Normal time trial route with John and Jim.  While it started out about as cold as the previous day, the sun was out and it warmed up much faster, was quite pleasant in the second half.  Although I pushed a faster pace, I really couldn't sustain any momentum.  Finished in 1:02:15, not so bad but longer than what I had been aiming for.

Avg speed = 17.2 mph. Total mileage = 17.8 mi

Avg heartrate = 139 bpm

Total elevation gain = 1090'

https://www.strava.com/activities/4468211303

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/36266182205

12/12/2020 Ride

Ride up to Jim's house for a two-person ride, no John.  It was an overcast day, mid-40s at the start.  We headed via the normal way to Pomerado Rd and then up to Twin Peaks Rd, turning left and riding over to Community Rd.  We took this road up to Stowe Dr.  It was slightly downhill and fast up to Poway Rd, then it got pretty steep.  After getting onto Stowe Dr, it leveled somewhat, and it was a nice gradual grade up to Scripps-Poway Pkwy.  The climb up to the 67 was more of a challenge this time, not sure why.  The weather was staying cool but I was warming up, so I took off my full-fingered gloves and headband.  We rode up to the top of the grade by Mt Woodson, then down to Highland Valley Rd.  I pushed the pace pretty hard all the way down, no relief from Jim, who stayed in my draft for most of it.  I slowed down to match his pace more on Highland Valley until we got to Archie Moore Rd.  It was a decent stretch for me, kept it above 10 mph with some effort.  Got to the top, normal waiting spot, but no Jim.  After a while, I started back down to find him walking his bike up the last stretch - leg cramps.  We waited for a bit, then took off again on the downhill segment, fun as always.  On the flats past the downhill, we were quite slow, and even then Jim had more cramping just before Pomerado Rd.  He decided to try and get to RB Community Park, but he ended up walking his bike up that little hill.  So I rode back home and got the car to meet him and drop him off at his house.  I felt fine on the ride, although it stayed cool and even a little chilly for the entire time.

Avg speed = 15.6 mph. Total mileage = 37.3 mi

Avg heartrate = 141 bpm

Total elevation gain = 2890'

https://www.strava.com/activities/4463732386

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/36237701179

12/06/2020 Ride

Time trial ride with Jim and John, dealing a little bit with the cold at the start, but it wasn't super bad.  No attempts to push the pace much during this ride, just a steady cadence for the most part.  Finished in 1:04:40.

Avg speed = 16.4 mph. Total mileage = 17.8 mi

Avg heartrate = 141 bpm

Total elevation gain = 1090'

https://www.strava.com/activities/4438620574

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/36124609804

12-05-2020 Ride

Solo ride over to John's house, it was pretty cold at the start, about 6:45.  Used RB Rd route and didn't push the pace too much because of the cold.  On the little climb up to his house, I turned on Alpine to get a break.  Jim met us, but he had a flat that he had to fix before we could start.  We headed up toward the top of Pomerado Rd, but just past Scripps-Poway Pkwy Jim's rear tire blew out, so he turned around.  John and I continued on, up to the top and then down to Kearny Villa Rd.  Left here, down to Ruffin Rd and then left onto Clairemont Mesa Blvd to get to Murphy Canyon Rd.  Then left on Aero Dr, taking a little climb up to Santo Rd and then turning left again.  We rode over to Tierrasanta Blvd and turned right to get over to that steep 1-mile climb on Colina Dorado Dr.  I got to the top and rode back down to meet John and ride up part of it again.  Back over to Clairemont Mesa Blvd via Rueda Dr, then we rode back across I-15, turning right on Chesapeake Dr to get back to Kearny Villa Rd.  From there, we retraced our route.  The gradual climb up Pomerado Rd wasn't so bad, but I was slow at the top.  I had a Gatorade at John's, then retraced my route to get back home.  It seemed like the wind was helping me along, which was good, since I hadn't ridden this long in a while.  Felt okay at the end but was worn out during the day.

Avg speed = 16.5 mph. Total mileage = 51.0 mi

Avg heartrate = 143 bpm

Total elevation gain = 3140'

https://www.strava.com/activities/4434096882

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/36083698717

11-29-2020 Ride

Posted long after this ride.  Time trial route with Jim and possibly others, no other details.

Avg speed = 15.7 mph. Total mileage = 17.9 mi

Total elevation gain = 1100'

Avg heartrate = 134 bpm

https://www.strava.com/activities/4408662898

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/35986899077

11-28-2020 Ride

 Ride up to Jim's house, meeting him and John.  We decided on the route there, heading over to RB Rd and then to Pomerado Rd.  It was 38 at my house at the start, and I foolishly decided not to wear full-fingered gloves.  My hands were really cold, starting at RB Rd and staying that way for the next 15 min or so.  We headed north on Pomerado and turned onto Highland Valley Rd, riding down by the wetlands where it was even colder.  That was painful.  On the climb, I was grateful for slowing down and having some sun to warm them, so that they were thawed by the time I got to the top.  The tips were throbbing though.  Over to Bandy Canyon Rd and down into the San Pasqual Valley.  By then, it was warming up and my fingers were fine.  We rode over to the 78 and then headed back toward Escondido, turning left onto San Pasqual Rd.  I did pretty well on this stretch, which is the easiest way out of the valley.  Back to BVP, then we turned behind the mall onto Beethoven Dr and then over to cross Lake Hodges.  On the crossing, John hit something in the road and had a flat.  He rode it through and then fixed it by the traffic light.  Then we continued to Jim's house, taking Aguamiel Rd up there, slow and steady and hard to keep up any kind of additional effort.  Fig smoothies, then back home.  It was a shorter ride but a good one.

Avg speed = 15.8 mph. Total mileage = 26.0 mi

Avg heartrate = 136 bpm

Total elevation gain = 1590'

https://www.strava.com/activities/4403462198

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/35958583609

11-27-2020 Ride

 Ride from home with John, it was a little chilly at the start but it only lasted about 15 min before it was bearable.  We headed over the freeway and up BVP to San Pasqual Valley Rd and juked over to Citrus Ave.  I took this stretch easier, with the exception of that minor climb on BVP.  Stayed with John afterward over to El Norte Pkwy and then down to Broadway.  John was slowing down a little bit here, and I got out ahead.  We rode over to Jesmond Dene and took it over to Centre City Pkwy.  That last little climb was a real eye-opener, I was really slow going up it.  From there, we had a nice downhill section to Twin Oaks Valley Pkwy, turning left for a change on Olive St and then right on Mulberry Dr.  These roads were fairly flat, then we turned left onto Richland Rd, which has an interesting little climb through a nice neighborhood.  Then it was down to Borden Rd, taking it over to Woodland Pkwy and then left on Mission Ave.  This stretch was faster.  Took Mission into Escondido, heading over to East Valley Pkwy via Washington Ave and Tulip St.  We were slowing down a little bit by this time.  Over to Quince St, then to Centre City Pkwy via 13th Ave.  Back home the normal way from there, keeping a brisk pace and pushing it over the freeway.  Throughout this ride

Avg speed = 16.6 mph. Total mileage = 34.5 mi

Avg heartrate = 142 bpm

Total elevation gain = 1700'

https://www.strava.com/activities/4398414631

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/35955951381  (partial)

11-26-2020 Ride

Thanksgiving morning ride, starting from the parking lot at Carmel Mountain Rd.  Taking the normal route to John's house, where I met him.  We headed up to the top of Pomerado Rd, then took Miramar Rd down to Eastgate Mall, using it to get over to Genesee Ave.  Over to Torrey Pines Rd, and on that little climb I did OK.  Over to the nice downhill, which was fun.  Then over to El Camino Real via Carmel Valley Rd, heading to the 56 bike trail.  I rode at John's pace until Carmel Valley Rd and beyond, just taking it easy to Camino del Sur.  I pushed the pace a little bit on the climb up to Black Mountain Rd, then we rode together to Rancho Penasquitos Rd.  By this time, I was considering turning off before riding all the way back to John's house, but I stayed with it.  On Poway Rd to Springhurst, then up that little climb (it was tougher and slower the second time).  Back to the car, after a short break and a soda, using the normal route, felt fine all the way to the end of the ride.

Avg speed = 16.4 mph. Total mileage = 41 mi

Avg heartrate = 139 bpm

Total elevation gain = 2500'

https://www.strava.com/activities/4394240787

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/35921102414

11-22-2020 Ride

Solo time trial for the first time in a long time.  I started out at a steady pace but really felt I didn't have much push in my legs, maybe from a fairly active day on Saturday.  Kept up a steady pace, but not really fast, to the turn onto Sabre Springs Pkwy.  From there, I didn't feel too fast up to the normal stopping point by Ted Williams Pkwy, but I saw I had a decent split.  Even still, my speed going up to Carmel Mountain Rd was slower than usual.  On the last stretch, I put in some effort on that little climb on Camino del Norte, hit the light at full speed, and decided to push a little harder.  Faster on the stretch to W Bernardo Dr, and I pushed the pace on that road as well, jumping the light at the bottom of the hill at RB Rd.  Again, not much in the legs to go all out, but I kept it steady.  Finished in 59:21, which was a surprise.  This was a Post-Israel PR for me, or close to it.

Avg speed = 17.9 mph. Total mileage = 17.8 mi

Avg heartrate = 154 bpm

Total elevation gain = 1080'

https://www.strava.com/activities/4375873188

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/35874350366

11-21-2020 Ride

 Solo ride, nobody else was either available or interested.  I didn't have a specific route, just rode through the neighborhood to RB Rd and then out Camino del Sur to the 56 bike trail.  The sun was out but it wasn't warming up much.  Down to Carmel Country Rd, where I turned and rode on streets through the Carmel Valley neighborhood to get to Del Mar Heights Rd, right by Torrey Pines HS.  Back to Carmel Valley Rd, then turning left to ride back to Camino del Sur.  From there, I retraced my route until I stayed on RB Rd down to W Bernardo Dr, and home the normal way from there.  A little faster than usual, and my energy level through the rest of the day was down somewhat.

Avg speed = 16.8 mph. Total mileage = 31.2

Avg heartrate = 143 bpm

Total elevation gain = 1990'

https://www.strava.com/activities/4370419290

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/35874350365

11-15-2020 Ride

Time trial route with John, leaving from my house.  I hoped to ride a little faster, but John was definitely taking a slower pace.  So I dialed my pace back as well.  Finished in 1:03.

Avg speed = 17.0 mph. Total mileage = 17.8 mi

Avg heartrate = 141 bpm

Total elevation gain = 1080'

|https://www.strava.com/activities/4342612303

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/35669430281

11-14-2020 Ride

 Ride with Jim and John from home, starting a little after 7:30.  John picked the route, taking us out to Lake Wohlford via BVP.  It was a touch chilly at the start but not bad at all after we got away from the lake.  I kept up a decent pace for much of this ride.  The first mile of the Lake Wohlford climb was easier than I remembered, and the second was more difficult, probably not as much stamina as in the past.  I got to the top and then rode back down to ride back up with Jim.  Stayed on Lake Wohlford Rd all the way to Valley Center Rd, then rode it back into Escondido.  We made really fast time on this stretch, apart from the little climb before the big downhill.  John was pushing the pace hard.  Back home by retracing our route once we got past the turnoff for Lake Wohlford Rd.  Again, fast pace on this stretch, aided by a slight tailwind.  Across the bridge, I gave John a leadout and he took off, but I couldn't keep up with him.  Still had an overall very good ride, given that I didn't ride last weekend.

Avg speed = 17.2 mph. Total mileage = 38.0 mi

Avg heartrate = 139 bpm

Total elevation gain = 2410'

https://www.strava.com/activities/4337937491

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/35699706737

11-01-2020 Ride

Time trial with John and Jim.  I didn't start out super strong, but John was riding fast, especially once we got to the point by Pomerado Hospital.  I kept with him and ended up finishing right around 1 hr, more effort into the second half of the ride than the first.  Fitbit didn't track the entire ride.

Avg speed = 17.8 mph. Total distance = 17.8 mi

Total elevation gain = 1090'

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/35699706737

10-31-2020 Ride

 Ride over to Dave's house in the morning with Jim, where we met up with Dave and John.  There wasn't a route planned, so I made it up as we went along.  Took the route to Dave's behind the mall, then we rode from his house over to Escondido Blvd and up Vermont Ave to Juniper St, which we took over to Grand Ave and up to BVP.  Over to Valley Pkwy to get to El Norte Pkwy, and then down to Broadway.  By this time, the pace of John, Jim, and me was faster than Dave's pace, and he was feeling some knee pain.  We rode over to Jesmond Dene Rd and then turned left onto Ivy Dell Ln to get to Centre City Pkwy, turning left and then right onto Nutmeg St.  Rode to Country Club Ln and then back over to El Norte Pkwy, heading west until it turned into Borden Rd and staying on it all the way to Las Posas Rd.  Rode over to San Marcos Blvd and turned right to get to Discovery St.  Back over toward CSUSM via Craven Rd, then onto Twin Oaks Valley Pkwy and then to Barham Dr.  Slowing down here to ride with the others, notably Dave, who was feeling it by this time.  Back into Escondido via Mission Ave to Washington Ave and then over to Valley Pkwy via Tulip St.  Onto Quince St until 13th Ave, then to Centre City Pkwy and back to Dave's the normal way.  From there, Jim and I rode home the normal way as well.

Avg speed = 16.0 mph. Total mileage = 41.8 mi

Avg heartrate = 139 bpm

Total elevation gain = 1930'

https://www.strava.com/activities/4267773058

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/35397120427

10-25-2020 Ride

Time trial route with Jim and John on a day when we started and ended the ride in misty, drizzling conditions.  I had taken a walk earlier, and it was mist-free.  However, I was feeling it from previous day's ride and efforts to pull the plumbing out of the master bathroom, so I kept a steady but not record-setting pace.  No real pushes on the ride, but we rode the downhill section fairly quickly and largely together.  John rode well, and so did Jim.  Finished in 1:03:40.

Avg speed = 16.7 mph. Total mileage = 17.8 mi

Avg heartrate = 138 bpm

Total elevation gain = 1090'

https://www.strava.com/activities/4242366012

https://www.strava.com/activities/4242366012

10-24-2020 Ride

 Solo ride initially over to John's house, starting when it was definitely dark and needing my bike light for most of the ride over.  Standard route, except I chickened out and took the Alpine turn on the climb up to his place.  Jim showed up several minutes late, then we headed back down to Poway Rd and rode up to the 67.  That was a tough stretch, I didn't remember it being as challenging as it was, especially near the end.  I waited for John to join me, then we waited awhile longer before riding back down to see where Jim was.  He had a flat that delayed him, so we rode back up to the top and then turned left onto the 67.  That stretch up to the pass by Mt Woodson was easier than I remembered, then we rode down to Archie Moore Rd to get over to Highland Valley Rd.  Steady climb up the shallow grade, then it was the exhilarating ride down to Bandy Canyon Rd.  Kept on the road until Pomerado Rd, then we turned left and headed back toward John's house.  I was feeling it by this time, so I ended up riding with them to Pomerado Hospital before turning back toward home.  Standard route via RB Rd and Duenda Rd, doing okay on pace but not great.  Legs felt fine, just some loss of cardio and not as much push in them

Avg speed = 15.4 mph. Total mileage = 41.5 mi

Avg heartrate = 139 bpm

Total elevation gain = 3450'

https://www.strava.com/activities/4237942812

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/35219547263

10-16-2020 to 10-18-2020 Camping Trip

 First camping trip up by Mt Laguna, at Burnt Rancheria Campground in the Cleveland National Forest, camping spot 045 in the Pinyon area.  No campfires allowed.  We hiked the Desert View Trail, which had its trailhead near our camping spot.  The trail ended up the highway from where we were staying, so it turned into a longer than expected hike.  We also got in the car and tried to find the start of another trail, I think it was Oasis Spring.  There was no indication off of Sunrise Hwy of the trailhead, and we drove by it at least once, stopping farther on and walking around to look for it.  Then we circled back and tried again, but the trailhead we found was not well-maintained, and we ended up stopping and heading back.  Then we took the Foster Point trail and hiked to the lookout.  I cut my shin on the hike up, but it was more messy looking than painful.  

10-16-2020 Ride

 Friday morning ride with Jim before work, meeting up at his house at 6:45.  His Friday route took us up Pajaro to Corazon Pl, then down to W Bernardo Dr via Duenda Rd.  Up past HP, where I kept my pace above 10 mph on the little clmbs, then over to Bernardo Center Dr and Carmel Valley Rd.  The wind gave me a little push up those climbs, again keeping it above 11-12 mph the whole way.  Then it was down to Camino del Sur and back toward home via RB Rd and W Bernardo Dr.  I was much faster and felt better on the way out, slowed down and not as much push as we were riding back.  Finished in 59:12, but there is room for improvement on this little loop with build-up of more stamina.

Avg speed = 16.6 mph. Total mileage = 16.4 mi

Avg heartrate = 138 bpm

Total elevation gain = 1240'

https://www.strava.com/activities/4202517785

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/35025802720

10-11-2020 Ride

Time trial ride from Jim's house, meeting him only.  I got a quick start on the ride, so I decided to put in a steady, fast effort and see how it went.  I ended up finishing with a Post-Israel PR of 59:32, although I would have hoped to do better given the effort I put in.  Just couldn't sustain high output segments for very long, although my initial kick was decent.  Most of it was solo, not so much drafting between me and Jim on this day.

Avg speed = 17.9 mph. Total mileage = 17.8 mi

Avg heartrate = 141 bpm

Total elevation gain = 1100'

https://www.strava.com/activities/4181698533

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/34916569422

10-10-2020 Ride

Solo ride, when it was relatively dark at the start, over to the Ted Williams Park n Ride, following the RB Rd and Bernardo Heights Pkwy route.  Blair was getting his stuff ready when I arrived, and we started soon after.  Just as we were leaving, Jim pulled up, it was a close call that we connected with him.  Once gathered, we got onto the 56 bike trail and rode down to Camino del Sur.  I started out not pushing the pace, to try and keep it manageable for the others.  Over to San Dieguito Rd and down into the flats, where Jim was pushing a higher than normal pace.  We rode to El Camino Real, turning right to get to Via de la Valle.  Again slowing down a little, we took a left onto Jimmy Durante Blvd and rode over into Del Mar.  Left on Carmel Valley Rd, taking it back to El Camino Real and then onto the 56 bike trail again.  I rode with the others, dialing my pace back and only getting out a little bit ahead on the gradual climbs on the bike trail back to Camino del Sur.  I worked a little harder on the short climb up to Black Mountain Rd, then it was pretty easy back to the meet-up spot, just that short little climb after Rancho Penasquitos Blvd.  Blair did just fine on this ride, which was great.  My ride back home was uneventful, taking the time trial route.

Avg speed = 15.9 mph. Total mileage = 45.8 mi

Avg heartrate = 136 bpm

Total elevation gain = 2650'

https://www.strava.com/activities/4177115922

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/34882084077

10/04/2020 Ride

Well, this was an interesting little day.  I woke up late and noticed that my phone hadn't charged overnight, so I decided to drive to meet Dave and Jim at Dave's house for a morning ride.  When I got there, no Dave.  I looked at my email and saw that he had backed out.  Just then, Jim drove up and said he received a text from Dave saying the same thing.  So we decided to ride from Dave's house anyway, doing his time trial route.  We started off at a moderate pace, hit a lot of lights that lasted a while.  Once we got past Country Club, I pushed my pace more on that little climb and again on the climb up to Deer Springs Pkwy.  I stopped by Jesmond Dene and picked up a nickel as well.  We headed back, and I was taking a more measured pace on the other side of the I-15.  Back on Centre City Pkwy, I picked up the tempo and Jim was riding with me.  Again, lots of lights caught on the way back, but I picked up a dime too.  Seeing I had a shot at breaking 1 hr, I started riding faster at around Grand Ave, and kept a high pace all the way back to Dave's house.  Finished in 59:42.  Because my phone wasn't fully charged, I only tracked the ride on my Fitbit.

Avg speed = 16.8 mph. Total mileage = 16.7 mi

Avg heartrate = 143 bpm

Total elevation gain = 690'

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/34749000615

10-03-2020 Ride

Solo ride, with lights on, to the Park n Ride on Sabre Springs Pkwy.  I rode over to RB Rd and then to Bernardo Centre Dr to get to Bernardo Heights Pkwy.  Up to Paseo Lucido, turning right to go by the school and then onto the time trial route in reverse.  Was supposed to meet up with Jim, Dave, and Blair, but Blair had something come up and didn't show.  And Dave had a flat to fix before we started, so we got off to a late start.  We rode the original time trial route, heading up Ted Williams Pkwy to Pomerado Rd.  I could tell from the start that Jim, and particularly Dave, were riding at a slower pace.  On the Pomerado stretch, Dave kept up a good pace.  When we turned right onto RB Rd and started the gradual climb, they both fell back.  I rode ahead up to Bridlewood Rd and waited for them, then we rode together, briefly, before I got out ahead again.  Up to the old waiting point just past the high school on Espola Rd, where we collected and headed on over to Poway Rd.  Then it was down, back to Pomerado Rd, turning left to do that short, sharp climb up to the top.  It was a tough little stretch, lots more work for me to build my cardio fitness.  From there, we rode down Pomerado Rd to Miramar Rd, taking it over to Camino Ruiz to get over to Mira Mesa Blvd.  Maybe I've been on that road before, but I didn't remember it so well.  It looks like it goes by the old dump, with a small little climb there.  Both of the others were slowing down, Dave especially.  Once we turned onto Mira Mesa Blvd, I had originally planned on riding to Black Mountain and then to the bike trail next to I-15 via Mercy Rd.  I changed the route to take that climb out, staying instead on Mira Mesa Blvd to the end, turning left, and then left again onto Erma Rd to get to the bike trail.  Stayed on it until we got to Poway Rd, then it was up to Sabre Springs Pkwy to finish off the ride with Jim and Dave.  The day was starting to heat up, so I didn't wait around to long before riding home, retracing my original route until RB Rd, where I stayed on Bernardo Centre Dr and took the more common way home.  This ride tired me out, maybe because I got up early in the morning and couldn't get back to sleep.  Also, for some weird reason Strava stopped recording my ride when I stopped to meet up with Jim and Dave, so I only show the Fitbit route below.

Avg speed = 15.8 mph. Total mileage = 42.9 mi

Avg heartrate = 133 bpm

Total elevation gain = 2910'

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/34716108738

09-27-2020 Ride

Time trial ride with Dave, Jim, and John.  I didn't originally intend to put a big effort in, but I had a decent little ride up to meet them, so I pushed harder on the initial parts.  I had a good finishing bit to get to the waiting point by the hospital on Pomerado Rd, then all four of us rode together for a while and made decent time.  On the Sabre Springs Pkwy section, my speed and effort weren't maximal, and I was definitely slow by the Post Office.  But when we got to the light at Twin Peaks Rd, I saw that I had a shot for being under an hour, so I pushed hard on the rest of the way, starting with the little climb after the turn and getting lucky in hitting the light by the freeway.  The rest of it was just me putting in more effort than usual, with John helping draft me on W Bernardo Dr after the light at RB Rd.  Finished in 59:21, which I am going to call my fastest time on this route since coming back from Israel.

Avg speed = 17.8 mph. Total mileage = 17.8 mi

Avg heartrate = 148 bpm

Total elevation gain = 1090'

https://www.strava.com/activities/4119942421

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/34592958225

09-26-2020 Ride

 Solo ride over to Dave's house, following the route behind the mall.  On the previous day, we got our kitten Yofi, so I played with her a little bit before leaving.  Jim and John joined the ride, and we headed over to Centre City Pkwy briefly, getting on Escondido Blvd to ride over to Sunset Dr and thus to BVP.  Over to the 78, on a day that was cloudy and just about the right temperature for me.  Then we headed out past the Wild Animal Park to Bandy Canyon Rd.  On the stretch past the park, John and I made pretty good time, and I felt good going up the climb out of the valley.  Behind Dave on the downhill on Highland Valley Rd, so I kept on the brakes for most of the way.  Once we got to Pomerado Rd, we turned left and rode up to Escala Dr, turning right to get to the sharp downhill and uphill sections.  It wasn't as bad as I remembered it, the first steep part back uphill.  Then we took Duenda Rd over to W Bernardo Dr and back to the mall, riding through the parking lot to get to the road in back.  Same route from there to Dave's house, where we had smoothies and a nice chat before I rode back home the normal route.  Felt good on this ride, with still a lot of energy left for the last two little climbs.

Avg speed = 16.2 mph. Total mileage = 36.9 mi

Avg heartrate = 137 bpm

Total elevation gain = 2460'

https://www.strava.com/activities/4115398768

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/34561099830

09-20-2020 Ride

Slightly modified time trial ride with Jim, taking it pretty easy on this day.  I found 16 pennies on the ground at Ted Williams Pkwy, so that was interesting.  Near the intersection of Pomerado Rd and Poway Rd there was a fire, so we had to take a detour around it.  And we stopped at Sesame Donuts for a break, just to mix it up.  Used the Carmel Mountain Rd route as well. Was a foggy day, and it smelled smoky at times, but maybe that was because of the fire.

Avg speed = 15.6 mph. Total mileage = 18.0 mi

Avg heartrate = 137 bpm

Total elevation gain = 1090'

https://www.strava.com/activities/4088137755

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/34426807571

09-19-2020 Ride

 Solo initial ride, heading down by the part and then up Pomerado Rd to Higa Pl, riding through that neighborhood to Acena Dr and then to RB Rd.  Back to Jim's house via Duenda, where I met up with him and we rode through the neighborhood to RB Rd, taking it west to get to Dove Canyon Rd, over to Carmel Valley Rd.  Up the two little rises, where I kept my speed above 11 mph both times, then we turned left on Black Mountain Rd.  Over to the 56 bike trail, we got on and stayed on until Carmel Country Rd.  Over the 56, then a right onto Carmel Canyon Rd to get over to Del Mar Heights Rd.  Back to Camino del Sur, turning left and staying on it until we turned onto Paseo del Sur.  Right on Potomac Ridge Rd to get to Nighthawk Ln, where we turned and then got onto Camino San Bernardo.  Back to RB Rd, then down to W Bernardo Dr and returning to Jim's house, where he made me a pumpkin pie smoothie, pretty delicious.  Felt good at times on this ride, legs were in decent shape.

Avg speed = 15.6 mph. Total mileage = 38.6 mi

Avg heartrate = 133 bpm

Total elevation gain = 2630'

https://www.strava.com/activities/4083199461

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/34388256978

09-13-2020 Ride

Short ride up Azucar to Duenda and then over to Jim's house to meet up with him, John, and Dave for the time trial route.  I was not interested in riding fast on this day, legs still feeling it from the previous day.  So I took it easy and basically stayed with the others except for a couple of spots where I got out a little ahead of John.  He had a good day.  Finished in equivalent of about 1:06.

Avg speed = 16.0 mph. Total distance = 18.2 mi

Avg heartrate = 134 bpm

Total elevation gain = 1110'

https://www.strava.com/activities/4054517873

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/34225633620

09/12/2020 Ride

Solo ride over to John's house following normal Pomerado route.  I didn't kill myself on pacing but was able to keep it over 10 mph on the little uphill to his house, but it was an effort.  Met up with him, Dave, and Jim for a ride to Mt Soledad and back.  We rode to the top of Pomerado Rd and then down to Miramar Rd to get over to Kearny Villa Rd.  We all basically rode together on this stretch to Balboa Ave, where we turned right.  It was a fairly steady pace here, and I got some separation from the others on the little climb up to Clairemont Dr.  I hit all the lights on the next piece to get to the bottom of the Mt Soledad climb, and I ended up waiting about 5 min for the others, who mistook another rider for me and followed him to let him know he was on the wrong route.  Oh well.  The climb was tougher than I remember, lots of stretches in first gear plugging along.  I got to the top and circled back to meet the other riders coming up, so I rode up the last stretch twice.  Brief break at the top, where there was a fair amount of fog.  Then it was downhill using Via Capri, still not in good shape and riding my brakes the whole way.  John, Dave, and I got to the light at Hidden Valley and Torrey Pines Rd, but no Jim.  After waiting a couple of minutes we rode back up to look for him, and he was just finishing a flat repair.  So we continued on Torrey Pines Rd, gradual climb up to La Jolla Village Dr.  Again, I got to the light before the others so I turned around and rode back to where John was coming.  Onto La Jolla Village Dr, taking it past the freeway, where it turns into Miramar Rd.  Jim and Dave were slowing down by this point, but John and I traded leads and kept a brisk pace all the way to the I-15, with John falling back a little before that point.  I waited for him, and we rode most of the way up Pomerado Rd until near the top.  I got to the top and looped a couple of times until he showed up, and we waited for a number of minutes again until we decided to ride back down and see where the others were.  They were on the last little ascent, so we turned around and rode back to John's house.  This was a fairly big effort for me, more climbing than I have done in a long time, but I felt fine at the end, just tired.

Later, we went to a lady's house in Poway to look at kittens up for adoption.  I think we will end up getting one of them, assuming it all works out.

Avg speed = 15.6 mph. Total mileage = 50.4 mi

Avg heartrate = 137 bpm

Total elevation gain = 3710'

https://www.strava.com/activities/4049754174

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/34228431983

09-07-2020 Ride

 Initial short solo ride up to Duenda and taking the loop around Poblado Rd back to W Bernardo Dr.  Back to Duenda with a little time to spare, so I threw in another little loop before heading to Jim's house to meet him, Dave, and John.  The first two weren't fans of the idea of a more rigorous ride, so I mapped out a route with no real hills and not so much climbing.  We headed across the freeway and onto BVP, taking it out to Citrus Ave.  I was not pushing the pace so much early on.  Over to El Norte Pkwy, where with the slight downhill, we made really good time down to Centre City Pkwy.  Continued on this road until it turned into Borden Rd and stayed with it until Twin Oaks Valley Pkwy.  By this time, Jim and Dave were slowing down, so I kept getting a little ahead of them, then waiting.  Over to Barham Dr and back to Mission Rd for a short stretch before we turned onto Country Club Dr.  This is a nice cycling road, down into Harmony Grove Village.  Over Harmony Grove Village Pkwy to Citracado Pkwy and back toward Escondido.  Here, John and I got a little separated from Dave and Jim, then rode back to find that Dave had a flat.  It took a while to fix it, then we continued to Valley Pkwy over to Via Rancho Pkwy.  On the early stages of this little climb, I stayed with the others, then pushed the pace some to get over the top and continue down to the freeway and across it.  Above 10 mph on the little climb to the park, and we continued on W Bernardo Dr up to Duenda Rd, a little longer but not as steep.  I kept it above 10 mph here as well, finished in good shape.  Banana/fig smoothies at Jim's house after the ride were tasty.

Avg speed = 16.3 mph. Total mileage = 35.3 mi

Avg heartrate = 132 bpm

Total elevation gain = 2150'

https://www.strava.com/activities/4025782067

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/34087846339

09-06-2020 Ride

Solo ride over to Dave's house, taking an easy pace and using the route behind the mall.  I decided to keep my pace similar to the others, knowing that I would be riding on Monday.  We headed north on Centre City Pkwy, intending to do a little longer ride than the time trial route from Dave's house.  However, Jim had two flats in the early stages, so we decided to cut it short and do the TT route.  It was a measured pace for me nearly all the way, but I was able to keep it above 10 mph on the last two little climbs back home.

Avg speed = 15.3 mph. Total mileage = 27.4 mi

Avg heartrate = 139 bpm

Total elevation gain = 1420'

https://www.strava.com/activities/4021467464

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/34049856413

09-05-2020 Ride

 Solo ride, with bike lights due to darkness, over to the intersection of Espola Rd and Twin Peaks Rd, taking RB Rd to Espola.  I got a fairly quick start after leaving early, so I didn't push the pace.  Met up with John, Dave, and Jim at the parking lot, and we headed up Espola Rd to Poway Rd, taking it all the way down to the 56 bike trail.  Up to this point, the weather was fine, but it was gradually getting hotter.  Down the bike trail to the Santa Fe Farms Rd overpass, which we used to get over to Carmel Valley Rd.  By this point, John was still riding pretty well, but Dave and Jim were back.  We rode to Camino del Sur, turned left, and took it all the way to Pomerado Rd.  It was heating up, so even the very minor little climbs took some effort.  Over to Metate Ln, using it to get to Community Rd.  My legs were getting tired by this time, so I couldn't push it very hard on the stretch on Community.  To Aubrey St, where we turned left and rode to Twin Peaks Rd, turning right to get back to the parking lot.  The others were going to wait until the smoothie shop opened, but I turned around and rode back to Old Poway Park to meet Ann at the farmers' market.  Glad to be done, I was pretty tired but not hurting.

Avg speed = 16.4 mph. Total mileage = 39.6 mi

Avg heartrate = 135 bpm

Total elevation gain = 2350'

https://www.strava.com/activities/4016086958

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/34048580951

09-02-2020 Ride

 Solo easy ride in the late afternoon, heading down by the park and over to Highland Valley Rd, taking it out to the base of the climb before turning around and riding back to Pomerado Rd.  I didn't push the pace, just tried to keep it steady and not too slow.  Up to Higa Pl, turning there and riding through the neighborhood to get to Bernardo Center Dr.  Left on RB Rd, where I slowed down a little bit as I rode under the freeway, picking it up a little bit past there to get up to Olmeda Way and Capilla Rd.  To Poblado Rd and then home the normal way through the neighborhood.  It was a nice short ride, good weather too.

Avg speed = 16.0 mph. Total mileage = 14.7 mi

Avg heartrate = 132 bpm

Total elevation gain = 790'

https://www.strava.com/activities/4003464277

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/33984256483

08-30-2020 Ride

Time trial ride, captured details later, so I don't remember all of them.  Finished in about 1:01 according to Fitbit.

Avg speed = 17.1 mph. Total mileage = 17.6 mi

Avg heartrate = 140 bpm

Total elevation gain = 1110'

https://www.strava.com/activities/3987061756

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/33866992500

08-29-2020 Ride

 Ride from home with Jim, John, and Dave on a morning that was cool and cloudy.  We headed through the neighborhood to RB Rd and then out Camino del Sur to San Dieguito Rd.  I was feeling good and kept getting ahead of the others, who were maintaining a slower pace.  Down into Fairbanks Ranch, then over to El Camino Real to get to Via de la Valle.  We took it to the coast, where lots of people were at the beach.  Through Del Mar, where I fell over at a cross walk because I couldn't unclip fast enough.  Then over to the 56 bike trail the normal way, taking it fairly slow back and still getting out ahead of the others.  Back to Camino del Sur, where Jim had to stop to stretch his lower back, which was acting up.  We rode up to Paseo del Sur and took this road as an alternative through the Del Sur neighborhood, getting back onto Camino del Sur before turning left onto RB Rd.  John was generally keeping up but not the others so much.  We took RB Rd down to W Bernardo Dr and then back home from there.  Good smoothies at the end of the ride.  I felt fine, just a little tired in the legs.

Avg speed = 16.4 mph. Total mileage = 38.0 mi

Avg heartrate = 138 bpm

Total elevation gain = 2160'

https://www.strava.com/activities/3983449148

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/33863523010

08-28-2020 Ride

 Short solo ride initially by Westwood Elementary and back to Jim's house, where I met up with him for a morning ride before work.  We headed down to W Bernardo Dr, up past work and onto Bernardo Center Dr and Carmel Valley Rd.  I did okay on the little climbs up to Black Mountain Rd, then we headed down to Camino del Sur and back toward home.  Back via RB Rd down to W Bernardo Dr.  Weather was really nice for riding.

Avg speed = 15.4 mph. Total mileage = 18.4 mi

Total elevation gain = 1430'

https://www.strava.com/activities/3977768745

08-23-2020 Ride

Posted long after this ride.  Time trial route riding by Jim's house, so I assume he went as well, not sure about others.

Avg speed = 16.2 mph. Total mileage = 17.8 mi

Total elevation gain = 1100'

Avg heartrate = 135 bpm

https://www.strava.com/activities/3955117377

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/33705940496

08-22-2020 Ride

Ride, starting from Pat Ritz' house in Irvine.  It has been a long time since we rode together.  The route we took was quite circuitous, starting with a pass-by of UCI and heading toward the bay by Newport Beach, riding down to PCH.  Once we got there we turned back inland and rode through some fancy neighborhoods of Newport Beach and Costa Mesa.  Although the ride started with a slow pace, Pat kicked it up a notch when we headed out Bonita Canyon and got onto Newport Coast Dr.  There is a long, steady grade that Pat took us on, and I couldn't keep up with him.  It wasn't super steep, just unrelenting for about 2.5 mi.  From there we rode back down to PCH and kept on that road past the bay, turning left and then riding through into Corona del Mar.  Then we got back onto PCH heading south and rode into Laguna Beach, with a couple of little bumps in the road to make it interesting.  Since we arrived a little early before the planned meeting time with Ann, he took us through some neighborhoods to get to Bluebird Canyon, which has a fairly steep 2 mi climb with switchbacks in it.  Near the top, I was definitely ready to stop.  We headed down another way then then rode back through the neighborhoods into downtown Laguna Beach to meet Ann for lunch.  I accidentally turned Strava off at the top of the last climb, so I didn't record the final section of the ride there (captured it on FitBit).  Although this ride doesn't look so tough as it maps out, it was a big workout for me, in part due to riding later in the morning and having to deal with high temperature and humidity, along with a couple of climbing pieces.  Was good to be done, I was dehydrated at the end, even though I finished off two water bottles and a couple of Cokes at the restaurant.

Avg speed = 15.3 mph. Total mileage = 43.8 mi
Avg heartrate = 145 bpm
Total elevation gain = 2590'
https://www.strava.com/activities/3951351845
https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/33676867876

08-16-2020 Ride

 Ride from home to Dave's house, taking the route behind the back of the mall.  Met up with him and John, and we rode the time trial route that they have been riding.  Starts from Dave's house, goes through the neighborhood to Montview and then onto Centre City Pkwy, with a U-turn to head north.  We rode through town and only caught a couple of lights.  I was already warmed up, but John and Dave took a while to get moving.  Out and up to Deer Springs Rd, where we crossed over the freeway and headed back south on Mesa Rock Rd, reconnecting with Centre City Pkwy.  I waited at the stop sign and let Dave and John pass me at speed, then had to work hard to catch back up to them on the little climb before we started the downhill run into Escondido.  My legs were feeling it from the earlier climbing push, so I couldn't go all out for very long.  We traded leads into Escondido, then seemed to hit about every stop light.  I would ride out ahead of the others and then have to slow down for a light.  John was working to keep up with my pace.  Finished the time trial section in about 56:00 flat, then had a smoothie at Dave's place before heading home.  I tried to keep up a decent pace on the way back and was able to keep it above 10 mph on the two little climbs.

Avg speed = 17.7 mph. Total mileage = 27.2 mi

Avg heartrate = 146 bpm

Total elevation gain = 1440'

https://www.strava.com/activities/3922248905

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/33539314800

08-15-2020 Ride

 Ride from Carmel Mountain Rd parking lot to John's house.  I was able to keep it above 10 mph on the little climb up to Mountain Pass Rd, and it was a workout.  Met up with him and Dave, and we headed to the top of Pomerado Rd, and then down to get onto Kearny Villa Rd.  Dave was riding slowly, so I dialed my pace way back to not get too far ahead.  Stayed on this road until we turned left onto Aero Dr, again taking an easy pace.  Right on Sandrock Rd, then right again onto Murray Ridge Rd, which has a nice downhill into Mission Valley, turning into Mission Center Rd.  Took this road to Friars Rd, where we turned left and rode over to the stadium.  We intended to ride around the stadium and catch the bike path on the east side, but the way was blocked, so we turned around and got onto the bike path via San Diego Mission Rd.  Onto Murphy Canyon Rd, taking it north, and gradually uphill, to Clairemont Mesa Blvd.  Right on Chesapeake Dr, which we took over to Ruffin Rd and then to Kearny Villa Rd.  From there, we retraced our route back to John's house, riding slowly together on the Kearny Villa Rd stretch.  Once we got to the Pomerado Rd climb, we started together, but John was riding a little faster, so I stayed with him until near the end, when the incline got a little higher.  Again, I was able to keep it above 10 mph on that last little climb, but it was difficult for me.  A brief rest and a Gatorade at John's place before I retraced my route back to the car.  I wasn't so fast on the return, but my legs held up fine.  I forgot to restart my ride on Strava at John's house, so it doesn't show the entire route.

Avg speed = 15.5 mph. Total mileage = 43.3 mi

Avg heartrate = 136 bpm

Total elevation gain = 2250'

https://www.strava.com/activities/3917370204

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/33501099749

08-14-2020 Ride

Posted long after this ride.  Beach cruiser ride with Ann down by Mission Bay.

Avg speed = 7.3 mph. Total mileage = 11.5 mi

Total elevation gain = 10'

https://www.strava.com/activities/3913460266

08-13-2020 Ride

 Ride during HP summer shutdown with John, leaving from home.  We had come back the previous day from a visit with Laura and two days camping in Sequoia National Forest.  Since it was just John and me, I planned a route with some more challenging climbing, so we headed over to Highland Valley Rd and rode up to the intersection with Hwy 67.  The three tough parts of the climbs on the way out were all difficult, and I was weaving on the road on the last two.  Still need a lot of work to get into decent climbing shape.  I did okay on the downhills, not pushing it and using brakes occasionally.  Felt fine at the end, despite not having ridden the previous weekend.  But it was only 30 miles, so....

Avg speed = 15.2 mph. Total mileage = 30.9 mi

Avg heartrate = 138 bpm

Total elevation gain = 2670'

https://www.strava.com/activities/3907745290

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/33471320611

08-10-2020 to 08-12-2020 Camping Trip

Camping trip up in Sequoia National Forest at Holey Meadow Campground, after driving up to visit Laura for a couple of days.  We had camping spot 05, it's a small place.  The campground was in a beautiful shaded grove of tall trees, not too far from the Trail of 100 Giants.  Getting there was something of a chore, since it was kinda off the beaten path, at least regarding major highways.  It's of the Great Western Divide Highway.  On Tuesday, we visited the Trail of 100 Giants and tried to find an additional hike further up the highway, but we couldn't locate the trailhead.  So we stopped for a short visit to the Country Store near there, then headed back and stopped at this place where you could climb up a short hike onto a flat white rock with nice views of the valleys below.

08-02-2020 Ride

Riding the time trial route with Jim, the others weren't available.  No real push during the ride, just a steady pace.  Finished in around 1:07.  It's good that we started early, around 6:30, because it was starting to warm up near the end.  Use Strava as my ride-tracking app, not sure yet which one I prefer.

Avg speed = 15.7 mph. Total mileage = 17.8 mi

Avg heartrate = 127 bpm

Total elevation gain = 1100'

https://www.strava.com/activities/3853904724

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/33156309188

08-01-2020 Ride

Ride from home with John (the day after he retired from HP), Dave, Jim, and Joe.  I had replaced my chain earlier in the week, and it was skipping at the start, so I was taking it really easy to see if it would settle down.  Through the neighborhood to RB Rd, then straight through Camino del Norte with a turn onto Del Sur Ridge Rd.  I was trying to get over to Paseo del Sur but got turned around, so we ended up circling back to get onto Camino San Bernardo and over to Dove Canyon Rd.  Down to Carmel Valley Rd, taking it to Camino del Sur and taking a right go head over to San Dieguito Rd.  Down the hill, turning right onto El Apajo, then over to Calzada del Bosque to get to Via de la Valle.  We rode to El Camino Real, turned left and rode over to Del Mar Heights.  On the little climb out of the flats, I was feeling pretty good and was able to keep it above 10 mph.  This climb was shorter than I remembered it, and I believe my new chain made a noticeable difference in my power transfer to the pedals.  It feels really smooth when I pedal now.  We all gathered at the Del Mar Heights Rd, then rode down to the 56 bike trail and took it back to Carmel Valley Rd  It was starting to heat up a little bit, but the weather was still okay.  From here, we essentially retraced our route back via Dove Canyon, taking it to RB Rd and back through the neighborhood, taking Cabela Dr and Luz Pl to get to Duenda, then riding by Jim's house before the last little downhill home.  Smoothies (and a beer for Joe) after the ride were quite tasty.  Felt tired but my legs were fine.  I used Strava to track my ride and route, thinking about switching to this app instead of MapMyRide.

Avg speed = 15.2 mph. Total mileage = 36.8 mi

Avg heartrate = 134 bpm

Total elevation gain = 2420'

https://www.strava.com/activities/3849171629

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/33155457241

07-26-2020 Ride

Posted long after this ride.  Looks like a time trial route, including riding by Jim's place, so I probably rode with him and maybe others.  Nothing else memorable about this ride, other than it was fast for me.

Avg speed = 17.2 mph. Total mileage = 17.4 mph

Total elevation gain = 1060'

Avg heartrate = 141 bpm

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/4531647865

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/32986311954

07-25-2020 Ride

Solo ride over to Dave's house, taking the freeway to get there a little sooner.  Met up with him and Jim, and we headed over Brotherton Rd to Miller Ave, and then to Citracado Pkwy, heading under the freeway and continuing on Gamble Ln.  Turned left onto Bernardo Ave, which has a little climb in it, then it turns into Felicita Ln and then Via Loma Vista.  This took us to Via Rancho Pkwy, where we turned right and rode up to Del Dios, turning right and staying on Valley Pkwy until it turned into 2nd Ave, then onto Grand Ave to get to Ash St.  Here we hooked up with the 78 and rode it out to Bandy Canyon Rd.  The downhill into the San Pasqual Valley was fun.  Just after the turn, Jim got a flat, so we stopped while he fixed it, then continued on, taking the Bandy Canyon grade out of the valley.  It was slow but not so bad.  Then onto Highland Valley Rd and back to Pomerado Rd.  On the winding downhill section, Dave took a right turn too fast and almost lost it but stayed up, fortunately.  From Pomerado we rode back over the freeway and to Dave's house via the route behind the mall.  Home the normal way from there.  I felt fine at the end, not super tired but definitely aware that I had put some miles in.

Avg speed = 15.2 mph. Total mileage = 38.4 mi
Avg heartrate = 136 bpm
Total elevation gain = 2480'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/4529864182
https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/32985174119

07-19-2020 Rides

Posted long after these rides.  First was a time trial ride with Jim and maybe others at a slower pace, no additional details.

Avg speed = 15.6. Total mileage = 17.5 mi

Total elevation gain = 1060'

Avg heartrate = 135 bpm

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/4512059521

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/32811688207

Second ride had me riding over the freeway to the Park n Ride by the mall, to meet Joe (maybe it was Avi) in the afternoon.  We headed up Via Rancho Pkwy to Del Dios, then down to El Camino del Norte, turning right there and taking it to Rancho Santa Fe Rd, where we turned right and stayed on this road all the way back to Mission Rd.  Took it to San Marcos Blvd and then onto Rancheros Dr to get over to Lost Abbey Brewery.  After a beer and conversation, we continued on.  To Woodland Pkwy to get to Barham Dr, then over to Mission Rd and back toward Escondido via Washington Ave to Tulip St and Valley Pkwy.  Grand Ave to Centre City and back to the meet-up point.  Then it was home the normal way for me from there.

Avg speed = 13.9 mph. Total mileage = 39.6 mi

Total elevation gain = 2570'

Avg heartrate = 131 bpm

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/4513058410

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/32845372040

07-19-2020 Ride

Time trial ride with Jim and John.  I had a front tire flat when I checked my bike, so I had to fix it quickly and get to the starting point.  Because I was riding with Joe later, I just rode with the others, other than a couple of times where I got out a little ahead on the climbs.

Avg speed = 16.1 mph. Total mileage = 17.5 mi
Avg heartrate = 135 bpm
Total elevation gain = 1060'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/4512059521
https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/32811688207

07-18-2020 Ride

Rode over, going by work and via Carmel Mountain Rd, to the Park n Ride by Ted Williams and Sabre Springs Pkwy.  I got a little bit of a late start, so I pushed the pace for most of the ride over.  There, I met up with John, Dave, Jim, and Blair.  We headed via the 56 bike trail down to El Camino Real, generally not riding super fast.  Then we headed over to the coast and headed north on the 101 through Del Mar and to Via de la Valle.  John was riding pretty well on the climbs.  Took this road back to El Camino Real, then over to San Dieguito Rd.  Blair had never been on this stretch of the road.  On the Three Witches climb, I was able to keep it above 10 mph for all three climbing stretches, although it was an effort on the last one.  We gathered together at the turn onto Camino del Sur.  Blair was feeling it by this time, so he was slowing down.  Back via Camino del Norte to Carmel Mountain Rd, then back to the starting point via Rancho Carmel Dr.  I felt good enough at the end to ride back home, taking the route by the high school and through RB.  No leg soreness, my average speed was pretty slow for this ride, although I felt like I put in a good effort on the climbing sections.

Avg speed = 15.0 mph. Total mileage = 46.7 mi
Avg heartrate = 137 bpm
Total elevation gain = 3220'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/4510763824
https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/32811445313

07-12-2020 Ride

Time trial ride with Jim, John, and Dave, again the first time in a long time that we all rode this route together.  For the most part, I didn't really push the pace hard but kept it steady with the others.  I was unsuccessful in finishing in under 1:05, but it's definitely doable in the shape I'm in.

Avg speed = 15.8 mph. Total mileage = 17.4 mi
Avg heartrate = 133 bpm
Total elevation gain = 1060'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/4491772894
https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/32657902323

07-11-2020 Ride

Ride with Jim, John, and Dave from Dave's house, first time riding from that spot in quite a while.  I rode over, taking BVP to the road behind the mall and then the bike path over to El Ku Ave, which turns into Escondido Blvd.  After we met up, we headed over to Centre City Pkwy and took it through town and out to Deer Springs Pkwy.  I am starting to feel a little more comfortable on the gentle climbs that we have been mostly riding.  Over to Buena Creek Rd, then up and down to get to Santa Fe Ave, which turns into Mission Rd.  At that turn, the sun was out and it was beginning to heat up.  That trend continued through the rest of the ride, which took us back to Centre City Pkwy and to Dave's house via Montview Dr.  On the last stretch through town, John realized that he had a chance to complete this route in under 1:40, so he was pushing the pace.  I traded leads with him and gave him some help to complete the goal successfully.  Felt good on this ride, kept my pace above 10 mph on the little climb to the RB Community Park, first time since I've been back.  I think I also kept it above 10 mph on the climb up Aguamiel.

Avg speed = 16.5 mph. Total mileage = 37.6 mi
Avg heartrate = 139 bpm
Total elevation gain = 1860'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/4488743989
https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/32631259133

07-05-2020 Ride

Solo ride in the morning after an unexpectedly tough July 4th ride.  None of the others wanted to ride, for different reasons.  I headed up by Jim's house, just to make sure nobody had showed up, then rode down Duenda to W Bernardo Dr.  Over to RB Rd, turning left and getting onto the original time trial route, taking it fairly easy.  The gradual climb up to the high school wasn't so bad, but then again I wasn't hammering the pace.  Stayed on Espola until Poway Rd, then headed down to Pomerado Rd.  Again, steady pace here, getting miles in to build fitness and riding faster now.  Matched pace with another rider for a while, then left him behind in a higher-level push.  Rode all the way back to W Bernardo Dr and then home the normal way.  Legs were tired but not too sore.

Avg speed = 16.8 mph. Total mileage = 20.9 mi
Avg heartrate = 148 bpm
Total elevation gain = 1220'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/4470455896
https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/32451883127

07-04-2020 Ride

No Old Pros ride this year due to COVID-19, so I met up with John and Jim at John's house, and we rode a portion of the route.  Up to Scripps-Poway Pkwy the normal way, then right and down past the freeway to Mercy Rd and over to Black Mountain Rd.  Took it to Mira Mesa Blvd and got onto the route.  I was pushing the pace in the early stages, stretching myself a little, while the others held back.  Over Camino Ruiz to Calle Cristobal, where I pushed the pace again and got ahead of the others before the short fast downhill section on Sorrento Valley Blvd into Sorrento Valley.  I waited for them at the turn onto Sorrento Valley Rd, and here I slowed my pace for a while, riding with John about halfway until the turn onto Carmel Mountain Rd.  Left onto El Camino Real, where I rode down past the 56 and waited for them again.  They were still riding at a slower pace, so I got out ahead, got passed by a quite fast group of riders that I couldn't hang with.  Down into the flats, then right onto San Dieguito Rd, where I rode with John and Jim, turning on El Apajo and taking it and Via de Santa Fe to Via de la Valle.  Another smaller group of riders passed us, and this one I could hang onto, although I was putting out a big effort for me.  Waited for John and Jim at the turn onto Paseo Delicias, and we rode for a bit before I pushed ahead again and put in another higher effort to ride up Del Dios.  I could tell I was starting to tire by this time, so I wasn't so fast going up this grade as the last time with Avi.  At the turn onto Via Rancho Pkwy, I waited and also met up with Dave, who had ridden from his house to meet up with us and ride the last stretch of the ride.  Jim was quite slow coming up Del Dios, and he was clearly running out of gas.  We continued, and I got out ahead again on the slight climbs, going solo downhill and over the freeway, but not able to keep up any kind of fast pace here, as I was wearing out too.  Waited for them past the freeway overpass, and it was here that Jim said he was wiped out and couldn't finish.  Dave and John were riding ahead of us, so Jim and I took it really easy to the parking lot at the Pomerado/RB Rd intersection, where Jim met up with Krista to get a ride home.  I continued, but I was feeling it too, just not as bad.  John and Dave were waiting for me by the hospital, and we continued the ride, thankfully aided by the slight downhill slope.  I could just keep up with them, and we rode together back to John's house the normal way.  I was quite slow on the last little climb up Springhurst, but I made it without any muscle cramping, thankfully.  Was really tired the rest of the day, so this was a workout for me.

Avg speed = 16.2 mph. Total mileage = 47.6 mi
Avg heartrate = 140 bpm
Total elevation gain = 3060'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/4468504582
https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/32452982937

07-03-2020 Ride

It's been a while since I saved ride descriptions to this blog, so I am starting with most recent and working my way back.  This was a fairly easy-paced ride to loosen up for the longer July 4th ride planned with John and Jim.  Out through the neighborhood the normal way to RB Rd, then heading west to connect to Camino del Norte and Camino del Sur.  On climbs, I have a lot of catching up to do to regain some measure of my earlier fitness from California riding days.  Out to Carmel Valley Rd, turning right and taking it to the 56 bike trail, where I rode down to El Camino Real, turning north and riding up into Del Mar Heights before the descent into the San Dieguito River wetlands. Turned on San Dieguito Rd and took it back to Camino del Sur, going slow on the climbing sections.  Then it was back home by retracing my route to RB Rd, taking it down to W Bernardo Dr and finishing that way.  Felt good on the ride, just out of shape for pushing the pace or sustaining effort during a climb.

Avg speed = 16.5 mph. Total mileage = 32.7 mi
Avg heartrate = 148 bpm
Total elevation gain = 2360'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/4465858132
https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/32421681708

06-28-2020 Ride

Time trial ride, starting from home and meeting up with Jim and John at Jim's house.  I wanted to ride harder than I had been riding, so I was pushing the pace more from the start, then waiting for the others at parts of the ride.  All was going pretty well, decent pace although not anywhere close to previous years.  On Poway Rd, John ran over a metal strip that wrapped around his rear wheel and messed it up.  Luckily, he stayed upright and was able to untangle it, but I slowed my pace way down to match his and make sure that all was okay.  So the second half of the ride was much slower than the first.

Avg speed = 15.5 mph. Total mileage = 17.9 mi
Avg heartrate = 136 bpm
Total elevation gain = 1000'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/4448778994
https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/32283757320

06-27-2020 Ride

Ride with John and Jim from my house, heading over I-15 and turning onto BVP, taking it to San Pasqual Rd, where we turned right and rode down into the valley.  There was more than the usual amount of traffic on this road, and it was a little sketchy before we turned onto Old Milky Way.  Took this nice road to the 78, where we turned left and rode by the Wild Animal Park.  Then we turned right onto Cloverdale Rd, since I thought I had found a way to connect back into Escondido another way.  We got up to Mountain View Rd but found that it didn't go all the way through.  It is very steep, though, so we rode up that short stretch before resting and turning around to get back to the 78.  Then it was the more traditional way out of the valley, slow for me.  Right on Citrus Ave, taking it back to BVP and then turning right to get to El Norte Pkwy.  We rode back to Centre City Pkwy, and then I asked Jim how he was feeling.  He was ready to make it a 30-mile ride, so we rode straight back from there, the normal way.  On the freeway, I drafted behind John for a while, then rode out in front to practice a short sprint.  Felt okay on this ride, still strong at the end, but it was a short ride.

Avg speed = 15.8 mph. Total mileage = 30.1 mi
Avg heartrate = 137 bpm
Total elevation gain = 1460'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/4446237160
https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/32286348945

06-21-2020 Ride

Ride with Jim on the time trial route, John ended up not riding.  So we took it easy, not pushing the pace much at all.  Fairly non-eventful.

Avg speed = 14.6 mph. Total mileage = 17.8 mi
Avg heartrate = 139 bpm
Total elevation gain = 990'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/4426238560

06-20-2020 Ride

Ride over to John's house to meet up with him and Jim, taking the route on Bernardo Center Dr to Lomica Dr to get over to Pomerado Rd.  There was some mist in the air, enough to be refreshing.  From John's we headed up to the top of Pomerado Rd via the normal route, then took Pomerado down to Kearny Villa Rd, heading south and staying on this road until Aero Dr, where we jogged over to Linda Vista Rd.  By this time, I guessed what route John had selected, not my favorite.  We turned right onto Genesee Rd and took it north, with its number of ups and downs.  John would ride away from me on the downhills, and I would catch and pass him on the uphills.  Over to Nobel Dr, turning right and using it to get to Miramar Rd.  We all gathered here and rode back together past the freeway, then Jim dropped back and John and I continued at the same pace up the Pomerado gradual climb.  I was tiring out near the top and didn't have much left by this time.  Back to John's house the normal way, and I gratefully got a ride back home from Jim.  Still need a fair amount more fitness in my legs before I'll be ready to ride home after a ride like that.

Avg speed = 15.8 mph. Total mileage = 42.5 mi
Avg heartrate = 137 bpm
Total elevation gain = 2420'
https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/4423750813

06-19-2020 Ride

Ride, on a Friday morning, over to Avinoam Halpern's house, off of Via Rancho Pkwy, where I met up with him to ride over to Del Dios Hwy and down into Rancho Santa Fe for coffee and conversation.  On the way back up, it was the first time climbing those climbs, and I felt it, didn't do too badly.  Nice to connect again with him.

Avg speed = 16.0 mph. Total mileage = 28.7 mi

Avg heartrate = 142 bpm

Total elevation gain = 2210'

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/4423641463

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/32078891894

06-14-2020 Ride

Solo ride from our temporary housing to Jim's house, taking Carmel Valley Rd to Dove Canyon Rd to RB Rd and through the neighborhood.  There, I met up with him, Dave (?), and John (?), and we did the time trial route for the first time in a long time.

Avg speed = 14.8 mph. Total mileage = 27.0 mi

Avg heartrate = 136 bpm

Total elevation gain = 1890'

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/4404096913

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/31937431538

06-13-2020 Ride

Long ride, starting from our temporary apartment and heading on Carmel Valley Rd up to Dove Canyon Rd, taking it to Camino del Norte, heading over to Camino San Bernardo to get to RB Rd.  Through the neighborhood to our house.  I met up with Jim and John, maybe Dave too, then we headed out across Lake Hodges to BVP, taking it up to Citrus Ave to get to El Norte Pkwy.  Rode down to Centre City Pkwy, turning right and riding up to Deer Springs Rd.  Down to Twin Oaks Valley Pkwy, turning right onto Buena Creek Rd.  Up and down the nice downhill to Santa Fe Ave, taking it to Mission Ave, eventually getting to Tulip St and then to Grand Ave and 2nd Ave to get back to Centre City Pkwy.  Home the normal way from there.  This was the longest ride I'd done in a while, slow pace for me.

Avg speed = 15.6 mph. Total mileage = 50.3 mi

Avg heartrate = 135 bpm

Total elevation gain = 3060'

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/4401640066

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/31936602150

06-10-2020 Ride

Ride from our temporary housing to our house, taking Carmel Valley Rd to Dove Canyon Rd, then to RB Rd and home through the neighborhood.

Avg speed = 14.1 mph. Total mileage = 10.0 mi

Avg heartrate = 142 bpm

Total elevation gain = 930'

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/4389312613

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/31840429609

06-06-2020 Ride

Ride from our temporary apartment via Carmel Valley Rd to Camino del Sur, up the 56 bike trail to the Park n Ride by Ted Williams and Sabre Springs Pkwy, where I met Blair and Jim, not sure who else rode on this day.  We headed back down the bike trail to El Camino Real, and then took Carmel Valley Rd to the coast highway, turning right.  Up that little climb, then right onto Del Mar Heights Rd for the much steeper climb.  Stayed on this road until heading back over to the 56 bike trail via Rancho Santa Fe Farms Rd.  From there, it was back to the meeting point the normal way, where I caught a ride to our house with Jim.  This was my first time riding with Blair.

Avg speed = 11 mph. Total mileage = 32.5 mi

Avg heartrate = 132 bpm

Total elevation gain = 2500'

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/4374723850

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/31746187253

06-05-2020 Ride

Ride on a Friday morning with John, from his house, up to the end of Scripps-Poway Pkwy and back.  First time on this climb in quite a while, it was slow going.

Avg speed = 12.7 mph. Total mileage = 14.3 mi

Avg heartrate = 139 bpm

Total elevation gain = 1630'

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/4373744797

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/31716080429

05-31-2020 Ride

Ride, while staying at our temporary housing in Pacific Highlands, over Carmel Valley Rd to the 56 bike trail, heading east to Rancho Penasquitos Blvd, turning right and staying on it onto Poway Rd, before turning right onto Sabre Springs Pkwy to get to Springhurst Dr and then up to John's house.  We met up and then rode up to Scripps-Poway Pkwy, turning right and heading down to Mercy Rd and then to Black Mountain Rd, taking a left here.  We rode up to Mira Mesa Blvd, turning right to get to Camino Ruiz and then to Calle Cristobal.  Over this road and then down the steep hill into Sorrento Valley, turning left onto Vista Sorrento Pkwy, staying on it until it connected with Mira Mesa Blvd, where we took a right and then a left onto Carroll Canyon Rd, which turns into Carroll Rd.  Eventually, this road tees into Miramar Rd, where we turned and headed back toward John's house, following the normal route up Pomerado Rd.  From there, I retraced my route back to the temporary apartment.  It turned out to be a longer day in the saddle than I had planned, but it was all good.  It was my first time riding in San Diego in quite a while, and I found myself struggling or going slow on the climbs.  Need time to get back into shape riding wavy routes.

Avg speed = 15.0 mph. Total mileage = 47.4 mi

Avg heartrate = 139 bpm

Total elevation gain = 3190'

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/4352997424

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/31592280652

05-28-2020 Ride

Ride from the apartment to pick up the rental car to haul our stuff to the airport.  Added some distance by heading out Ben Zvi and the 44 to the 412, turning left and riding over to the 461 to get to the 40.  Once I got over by the airport, I followed the signs to the old rental car center and picked up the car.  At the rental office, there were a couple of annoying people ahead of me, including a guy who, it turned out after a lot of haggling, had his credit card rejected and was unable to rent the car after all.  That's Israel.  It was a nice little final (for now) ride in Israel.

Avg speed = 15.8 mph. Total mileage = 13.8 mi

Avg heartrate = 120 bpm (not sure here)

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/4341938959

05-27-2020 Rides

Ride from work back to the apartment after dropping off my lease car.  I think it was my last day on the site in NZ, at least for now.  Normal way home, via the 412 to the 44 and Ben Zvi, then a straight shot to Shimon Ben Gamliel.

Avg speed = 15.6 mph. Total mileage = 12.2 mi

Avg heartrate = 136 bpm

Total elevation gain = 360'

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/4335770245

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/31478743350

Later, I rode into Tel Aviv (see map) on the other side of the Ayalon Freeway to drop off our router at the Partner office.

Total mileage = 6.2 mi

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/4336278205

https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/31473154473

05-23-2020 Ride

Ride, from the normal starting spot by Oren's apartment in Netanya, with him, meeting up with Slavik and Rotem during the ride.  We rode over to the 57, this time staying on it as we headed east to the 5714, where we turned north, turning left onto the 5803 and riding to the 581, where we turned right and headed north and east to the 574 for a short stretch before turning left onto the 6403, which we used to get to the 65, taking it southwest to Hwy 4.  Headed back toward Netanya, looking in vain for an open coffee shop, two strikeouts until we found an open place by the 5711.  Sitting around with the guys one last time was pretty cool, although the whole coffee-getting experience during major COVID-19 awareness was a necessary bother.  From there, it was the normal way back to the starting point.  All in all, a good final ride (at least for now) with these good people.

Avg speed = 15.1 mph. Total mileage = 41.8 mi

Total elevation gain = 1070'

https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/4320684610