Solo ride over to Robert's house, and it was lightly raining on the way over. I should have followed this warning sign and called it a day. We both headed over to the 4S Ranch Target and met up with the other riders on this day: Robert, Charlie, Kamal, Jamil (joined us by the Lake Hodges pedestrian bridge), Ray, Zac, Audrey, James, and Andy. After some discussion, we decided to ride and start by heading north. So we rode over to RB Rd, down to W Bernardo Dr, across Lake Hodges on the pedestrian bridge, to get onto Via Rancho Pkwy. I was okay on the first little climb but couldn't keep up with Robert and Ray on the next one, doing my best to keep them in sight. We rode up to Del Dios Hwy, turned right and took it up to Citracado Pkwy to take a left. Then it was over to Harmony Grove Rd. Not too long after this turn, Robert, Ray, and Zac took off and I didn't have any response. So on the climb up to San Elijo Hills, I rode solo, with Audrey not too far behind me. It was a slog, a clear indication that I didn't have good legs on this day. We stopped, for too long a break, at a gas station in San Elijo Hills, I started to get chilled, and it got worse on the way down to Rancho Santa Fe Rd. On the climb after we turned left, a group of us stayed together, then Ray jumped ahead and I followed. So it was just the two of us, with him ahead of me, on the turn at La Costa Ave. By this time, it was raining and not pleasant at all. Everybody caught up at El Camino Real, and I dropped back and rode in the rear, hanging with Jamil for the section of the ride down to PCH. We turned there and started heading back, thankfully not stopping again. The group spread out after riding through Encinitas, and I was near the back again as we headed up that little climb into Solana Beach. Kamal and Jamil were riding side by side and somehow Jamil lost his balance and went down. He was shaken up but not so badly, so I helped get his bike back into riding condition, and we continued, more slowly. Just after the turn onto Via de la Valle, I had a fast flat and pulled over. Fixing it was pretty quick, but as soon as I pumped the tire up with a CO2 cartridge, the tire blew, and I knew I was done for the day. I probably could have made it back home, but it was going to be a real challenge. So I called Ann and had her come pick me up. On the way home, we saw nearly all of the riders, many of them looking like they were nearly done in. Bike was filthy, so in the afternoon I cleaned it and put new tires on.
Avg speed = 15.8 mph. Total mileage = 38.4 mi
Avg heartrate = 114 bpm
Total elevation gain = 2200'
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