A few pix from the Surfliner 200 ridden by Les and Steve.

Totally perfect day for a bike ride, but our Bit Of Harmony ride suffered a discordant note at the start when Joe's wheel got grabbed by a pavement crack on Pomerado Road. He took a nasty tumble, ripping up his right side from head to hip. Tough dude that he is though, he dusted off, straightened the handlebars, and pressed on for the full ride... another 40 miles. But those injuries are going to hurt later today... Ouch!
 
Thankfully, the rest of the ride went according to plan: blue skies, warm temps, a touch of hills, some bird watching, a little taste of countryside, and a coffee stop in Escondido.
 
Next week, we keep it simple...
Java Journey
Date: Tuesday January 29, 2013
Time: 9:00am
Out-n-Back to Valley Center with a stop at Java Journey.

Cheers,
Steve

I was a bit leery about riding this morning when the first thermometer check read 28F, but by ride time it was 50F and my skepticism was greatly allayed.  The threat of cold sure didn't seem to affect the turnout; we had a record 13 riders today - 7 ladies and 6 gents!  Special shout-out to new VVV riders: Terri and Paige; and a Welcome Back to Cindy.
  
This route is all about the climb up to Valley Center, the scenery along Woods Valley and Lake Wohlford, and of course the great descent from the lake. It's safe to say that we enjoyed each aspect.  Kudos to Mike, Ed, and Colleen for their strong efforts getting up the Big Hill. 
  
Oh, and yeah, this ride wouldn't be complete without a stop at the Lake Wohlford Cafe.  We strained their capacity a bit today, but it was all good... although we may have to start requesting bike racks out front!
  
Next week's ride...
A Bit Of Harmony
Date: Tuesday January 22, 2013
Time: 9:00am
Ride through northern Escondido into San Marcos with side trip into Harmony Grove on the return to Escondido.
  
Cheers,
Steve

We would have had five riders today, but I had to hand over the baton to Jerry and ride vicariously.  A recent bout with a stomach virus bug left me a bit unready to pedal, but little did I know: Jerry had also been under the weather last week.  However, he muscled up while I wimped out and took the rest of the crew on a nice go-round of the Del Dios Loop.  
 
For the lucky riders, it was perfect riding weather: plenty of sunshine and no chance of overheating, even on the climb up Del Dios to the dam. Alas, there were a couple of flats! From the photos I received, it looks like Peterson's Donut Shop was the choice spot to replenish the sugar reserves today. Now I'm hungry and jealous!

Here's Jerry's summary:
"It would have been so easy to find an excuse to stay in under the warm blankets but an early text from Steve to see if I can lead the ride today changed all that.  I've been off the bike a week due to the flu and I just wanted to take it easy so I dreaded riding today.  Well the gang took it easy on me so all is well.  I told them I was uncomfortable going thru the construction at Camino Del Norte so Mike obliged me by slowing down and even flatted for me.  That was convenient as it allowed me to take a breather.  That didn't last long though as Mike is quite adept at changing tubes.  A quarter mile down he saw that I wasn't quite myself so what does he do? He flats again. This time he made sure all the offending glass was taken out.  He must have done a very good job as that held up till the parking lot at VV. 

We stopped at the top of Paseo Delicias and removed some layers as it was getting quite nice and warm.  Got to the top of Del Dios and took a couple of pictures.  We soon found ourselves at Petersons and I think those apple fritters were extra large today.  I had to take half home.  Judy and Mike headed back to VV and Ed and I continued on Pomerado.  It was a very nice day today.  You should have been there."
 
I hope we're all there for next week's ride...
Lake Wohlford & Woods Valley
Date: Tuesday January 15, 2013
Time: 9:00am
Scenic riding with plenty of hills! WV first and then descending from the lake.

Cheers,
Steve

The air was crisp for the start of today's ride, but fortunately the early going was mostly under blue skies with calm winds. The pleasant weather, after so much rain recently, was an auspicious start to 2013. And there was also a good turnout of eight riders for the inaugural Fallbrook Metric Century.
 
Our reward for giving up TV, Rose Parade, and some rather exciting Bowl Games was some great riding with very few cars. Of course, we had a few hills to climb along the way, just to add a little extra interest, and naturally: the mandatory flat tires. Our stop in Bonsall was the très chic McDonald's - not that anyone complained - and I for one appreciated their McCafé Frappé Mocha!
 
Hope to see you for next week's ride...
Del Dios Loop
Date: Tuesday January 8, 2013
Time: 9:00am
Out to Fairbanks Ranch, back on the Del Dios, with a coffee stop in Escondido.
 
Cheers,
Steve