The prediction of hot weather for today caused us to rethink the plan to do the Highland Valley Loop and instead we came up with a kinder, gentler loop. The ridership consisted of Pam, Jerry, David, and me. Apologies to Rick, who was going to meet us on Scripps Poway Parkway, if we hadn't called an audible and headed north to the Escondido flatlands before taking in some of the Harmony Grove countryside. Rick ended up doing a solo ride and outdid us on mileage and climbing.
 
The early part of the ride was comfortable and we discussed the merits of Strava for recording rides after jumping on the Encino Climb. Evidently, Strava has about a bazillion segments that you can race against rest of the world. A more leisurely pace took us on over to the bikepath, and then out to Harmony Grove Road for a small loop around the water tank hills. On the Harmony Grove section we found that the egg ranch is in the process of getting torn down.  Maybe more houses/cars are on the way? C'est la vie!
 
We had a great coffee stop at Escondido Joe's and even sat inside today - yes, they had the AC on.
 
Next week, it's time for....
ACHD Ride
Date: Tuesday September 4, 2012
Time: 8:00am
Anything Can Happen Day. Group choice for route... Usually easy??
 
Cheers,
Steve

Seven riders today - a nice turnout for our trip to the coast!  The group was a mix of regulars, Mary Ann, Jerry, and me, bolstered by the return of John, Ed, Tom (who seemed determined to charge every hill), and new rider Pam.
  
The early going was under a marine layer: June Gloom in August!  No complaints though - the overcast skies kept us cool going over the hills out of Rancho Bernardo. The ride along the 56 bike path went by quickly and we made an early stop at Starbucks in Del Mar.  Nice enough, but next time on this route we have to get back to little Cafe Positano.

Very nice to see six riders today for The Old Milk Run (Mary Ann, Maurice, Matt, David, John, and me.)  Despite all the talk about the Heat Wave, we really had a rather pleasant time of it today.  Getting out at 8AM, and our relentless dedication to not pushing too hard, paid off: hardly any dead bodies left behind and done by 11AM!
  
We had a good ride out the first climb on Highland Valley Road, and even managed to cajole Matt, who had sworn to turn back, into going up to Bandy Canyon with us.  HVR was also where John decided that won't chug a big glass of OJ just before starting his next ride.  All was well for the descent, and everyone seemed to drop down Bandy canyon about 10mph faster than me. Thankfully, the broken pavement and sandy wash on Ysabel Creek Road allowed me to catch up. 
  
Ysabel Creek, Old Milky Way, Old San Pasqual, and Idaho roads were new for some and not recently ridden for others - always nice to mix it up a bit.  Matt parted company with us as we crossed Bear Valley Parkway, saying something about getting home for a cold Bottled Enhanced Electrolyte Replacement  drink.
  
Meanwhile, we cut off a few flat miles, and threw in a couple of extra rollers on 9th Street in Escondido, to get us Peterson's Donut Shop just before the Big Rush.  You'd think that hot weather would diminish doughnut demand, but no... that place is always packed! 
 
Next week, cooler clime & easier climbs:
Del Mar Breeze
Date: Tuesday August 21, 2012
Time: 8:00am
An easy ride to the ocean for some cool breezes! 
 
Cheers,
Steve

We had warm weather for today's ACHD Ride, which saw four riders (Matt, Mary Ann, Jerry, and me) trying our best to make it look easy.  No KOM or Sprint points today, just a relaxed ride to Jesmond Dene and back.  We did sprinkle in a few new roads for Jerry and Mary Ann, to keep their interest up: Encino Drive was a quiet alternative to Bear Valley Parkway, and Ivy Dell Lane allowed us to shorten the Jesmond Dene section while still providing a some hill and oaks. And we naturally had to stop for some of the goods at Nayeli's Taco Shop on the way back.
  
Next week, we'll try riding just a little harder on...
The Old Milk Run
Date: Tuesday August 14, 2012
Time: 8:00am
Foray into the San Pasqual Valley!
  
Please note the new start time: 8:00AM. We should enjoy a little more cool air by going out earlier.
 
Cheers,
Steve