Another postcard day for our riding of the Del Dios Loop.   The ridership consisted of Liz, Mary Ann,  Jerry, Sam, Matt, Maurice, and me.  Jerry provided an early diversion as he worked on upper body strength: trying to inflate his tire back to 100psi with my Park Tool frame pump.  Muscle is cheaper than CO2, but the cartridges are faster.
 
The roads seemed a bit crowded today... must be that folks are trying to make up for lost driving time after the Memorial Day Holiday.  But that didn't hamper our zipping through the route out to Fairbanks Ranch and up to Rancho Santa Fe, where we regrouped before attacking the Del Dios Highway climb to Lake Hodges.  Maybe I was the only one who was driven by anticipation of getting to Escondido for carnitas tacos at Nayeli's, but everyone seemed to be rolling up and over without much ado and with hardly any assistance from the Team Car.
 
Muchas Gracias to Liz who picked up the taco tab at Nayeli's and had to suffer my 'Bite your tongue." pun while enjoying her taco de lengua!
 
Next week's ride...
 
ACHD Ride
Date: Tuesday June 7, 2011
Time:  8:00am
It's Group Choice for the route of the Anything Can Happen Day Ride.
Video: Slow Racing 
   
Check out the Thursday time trial at Beeler Canyon. Last week saw the first appearance of Manuel and Beast tearing up the Short Course in 14:09. 
 
Cheers,
Steve

Quite a difference from last week's late-season storm: plenty of sunshine and pleasant temps for today's cycle up to Valley Center.  The ridership consisted of Liz, Mary Ann, Matt, Maurice, and me.  We noticed right away that Matt had brought yet another prospective replacement bike, this time it was a sweet-looking Specialized Tarmac... maybe next week we'll see Pinarello?
  
The ride up to Valley Center was pretty normal except that we spotted what might have been either a ferret or a weasel (deceased) on Citrus Avenue.  My vote is for weasel.
   
After getting over the VC summit we dropped down to visit Java Journey.  It's been awhile since we stopped there, but proprietor Soledad was happy to see us and provided smoothie samples: strawberry (juicy-style) and pina colada (creamy-style).  They were both very good, but the pina colada was begging for a shot of rum!
 
The Woods Valley Road section was as scenic as ever with it's oak-lined rollers, as was Lake Wohlford Road.  No cafe stop there today, just straight into the twisty descent back down to Escondido. If your ears don't pop on that downhill then you just aren't going fast enough!
 
Next week's ride...
 
Del Dios Loop
Date: Tuesday May 31, 2011
Time: 8:00am
Close out May with this short but hilly ride. Refresh in Escondido... Nayeli's? Peterson's?
Map: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/47226  
 
The Thursday time trial at Beeler Canyon continues this week too... indulge your need for speed, increase your VO2Max, and build up your lactate threshold!  
 
Cheers,
Steve

A short report for today's ride...
 
First, the lucky folks who didn't have to work this morning: Liz, Mary Ann, Beth, Jerry, Les, Maurice, and me.  I think we were all in agreement that the weather was delightful, better than abticipated, and ho-hum - just another day in paradise.
 
The route was pretty much as advertised on the map, apart from the Via Rancho Parkway by-pass that I threw in... that probably lopped off about 2 miles of riding, but saved us from the VRP traffic.  Speaking of traffic: would the day be complete without somebody in an oversized SUV bleating their horn?  Sigh...
 
The Caffe Positano stop in Rancho Santa Fe was good, as always. I certainly enjoyed my coffee and chocolate-filled croissant... such decadence!
 
Next week we can get truly decadent...
 
Little Italy
Date: Tuesday May 17, 2011
Time: 8:00am
Our Giro d'Italia tribute ride.
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/192224
 
Lastly, come to the Thursday Time Trial to get a good speed workout. You only compete against yourself and every gets inscribed on the Wall of Fame: http://www.vvvelo.com/bcitt.html
 
Cheers,
Steve

The threat of wind and heat didn't seem  to faze our riders today: Liz, Mary Ann, Beth and Bob, Jerry, Matt, His Czarness Sam, and me. Our ever-accommodating group cobbled together a route through Mira Mesa that allowed Beth to deliver a key to her condo doormat and then sent us blasting downhill into Sorrento Valley. I heard 48mph was the top speed on the downhill (only got 46 myself), but if you reached 50mph let us know... I think we can sell you some life insurance.

The first attempt at a coffee break didn't work out - the Hilton Garden NY Deli doesn't open until 10:30 these days.  I guess the economy hasn't improved enough to warrant serving coffee before then. But the next stop at Peets Coffee was perfect. coffee, cool drinks, pastries, ice, and filtered water.  The last few miles after the coffee stop featured the Camelback Climb: over Black Mountain and then up again to Rancho Bernardo.  It was getting warm by then (my backyard thermometer read 90F) and if you had some of Peets courtesy ice water in your bottle then I'm sure you were chugging it.

Next week's ride is the classic...

Elfin Forest Loop
Date: Tuesday May 10, 2011
Time: 8:00am
Nice roads... oak trees... hills!
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/33871
 
Try to break off a little bit of time on Thursday morning for some speed work. Whether you choose to ride the Short (5mi.), Standard (10mi.), or Long (15mi.) course, you can expect to be done with plenty of time left for other daily tasks. Plus everyone has the option to display their best time on the VVV web page.  Details here: http://www.vvvelo.com/bcitt.html
 
Cheers,
Steve