Monday, October 27, 2008

Mt Soledad



So on Sunday, I thought I'd climb Mount Soledad. On the bike that is... It's a nice ride but a bit of a climb for a newbie on a singlespeed but I had nothing to lose, so I went for it and 12 or so miles later here I was:


It's about 25 miles round trip and took me 2 hours or so counting the stops I made along the way, one of which was a bike swap meet at Hi-Tech bikes. Who could resist? I had to stop on the way back, just in case I missed anything of course...

My fav part was eyeing the architecture in La Jolla on Soledad. It's all mid century rambling California ranch designs save the occasional oddball box that shoots up out of nowhere looking like the Metabalife corporate HQ or some bad refurb from 1989, or worse the late 90's early 00's when the granite countertop/stainless mentality flooded the rehab scene and everyone decided to obliterate the old with a coat of bland stucco and new double-paned windows...

Some good climbs and descents kept me tight in the saddle and today my gams are letting me know my age just a bit more than usual.

Anyhow, I'll have to include the route on longer trips, especially if I spring for a geared bike.

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Tour De Poway...



So on October 5th, 2008 I struck out on the road and headed north by northeast to Poway (about 15 miles...) to ride in the 23rd annual Tour De Poway. There were 5 options in total, 18, 26, 50, 67 and 100 miles and since I'm a relative newbie when it comes to biking and all things velo, I opted for the 26 mile course. The 67 is called a metric century (100km is about 67 miles) and the 100 mile is well a century, it is akin to running a 26 mile marathon I guess. I wasn't ready to ride the longer routes mainly due to the Poway grade that heads into Ramona. It's about 8 to 10% over 3 or so miles and with just one gear to take me where I want to go, I wasn't ready for the workout. Hopefully next year...

I hit the road at 8:10 after fueling up at Starbucks. My route was to take me past Miramar Naval Air Station along Kearney Villa Rd and I noticed some signs indicating that it would be closed to traffic from 1 to 5 because of the airshow. I thought this over and kept on going, because I had made the commitment to commute to the event regardless. This will come into play later... Then I ran into some light rain, so I just forged ahead what has rain ever hurt? It stopped before too long and I dried off quickly. So up Pomerado and over and into Poway I rode, seemed easy enough but the downside of Pomerado looked a bit long and tough for the ride back.



I rolled into the staging area, Old Poway Park around 9:15 or so, checked in and hung out waiting for the start time at 10. A friend (yes you Karen...) joked that she didn't think they'd let any Townies into the ride but I saw some, not the exact make or model but the style nonetheless. So 10 o'clock rolled around and it was go time. I started out somewhere in the middle of the crush I think and felt the need to gain some lead on the others. No it's not a race, but the competitive spirit is always hovering above these kinds of events so a little friendly challenge is present regardless of skill or training. I made my way toward the front and did fairly well considering until the first incline and I fell back some, but did my best to keep up with the pack.



All in all it was a very nice day, not too hot or too windy and I completed the course in about 1:45. Lunch was served, and well received...

After lunch and lounging around a bit and winning a Beatles name that tune contest, I decided to roll on towards home. Now I remembered what lay ahead both on Pomerado and at Kearney Villa. The first just required my resolve and energy, so I drank a Coke before I left. The second required detente, so I thought about what I might say and how I said it. With all that in mind I struck out homeward bound. Pomerado presented itself as I had thought, as bad or worse than Torrey Pines probably worse at the time as I was past my zenith by then. Fortunately the downside was a breeze and I coasted a good bit of the way before my second reckoning.

I came up to the intersection and saw a agent of some description manning his or her post on the other side. I motioned to them to find out if I could get passage but was summarily ignored, so I crossed the street (after waiting forever on the light) and asked them directly. A solid "No" was the answer, no amount of pleading or negotiating made any difference. One gal informed that there was a 15 mile detour, "Yeah I know" was my sarcastic reply. So off I went. I really didn't want to have to ride the extra miles but I had zero choice since I was the one who opted to commute. Miramar was slow going due to a nice headwind and I still had the hills of Genesee to tackle late in the day, but I continued and made it home in one piece, without incident (unlike the last ride lol!). My final mileage? 67...