Oct 4th - Fallbrook Loop

This weeks ride had the reputation of being long and hard-- we were going to get a break with the weather, but at 93Miles and 4395 feet of climbing it was going to justify that claim. I studied the route using Google Earth and felt that we would be ok.

On the morning of the ride, Hooter announced a change in route and we would cut off Couser and Rice Canyons. i had mixed feelings about this - in part I wanted to do it -- in other part I knew that would cut down on the suffering. :)

I had recently had the bike serviced, replaced the tires and tubes so I thought I would top off the air in the tires the night before -- mistake!! My pump has a gauge but it is not that accurate - -so I guessed it! -mistake 2!

Well the ride started fine but on the descent down Del Dios, the air must have expanded and it blew out the tire like a gun shot -- I was doing about 30mph and luckily it was the rear tire-- it if had been the front - well let's not think about that one!



I was able to control the bike and stop. Brent, Wain, Cowboy and Diane stopped and we changed out the tire, I checked for glass etc. . but I must have missed damage to the side wall. I was to discover that in a minute. I continued over Del Dios and caught the group up.



We rode through Escondido -- who came up with the idea of putting the cement works in the middle of town ! - and bang the second flat. Now bear in mind it has been years since I double flatted and I had only had one flat in last 3 years -- two in the space of 45 mins was tough. I felt that I was breaking the rhythm of the group and slowing everyone down.. but these guys are great and as Rob M said -- we all get our turn at this.

We had to "boot" the side way of the tire with Adam's "Device" and some Hooter Duct tape. Hooter did a great job in fixing the tire but now I was down to zero tubes and a long way to go. Apparently, it was a bad day for flats and group 3 had 6 !

When we got to SAG 1 - at 38M, we were 3 hrs in and only a third into the ride.. we had to cut it short now -- the rest of the ride was familiar and we ran into Group 2 at the second SAG. A strong wind made the Oceanside bike path hard work and we paced lined along it -- with Hooter pulling for the complete 7 miles.. we were clipping at about 20 mph into the wind and it felt like it .. but it was fun to the GP train -- not quite the postal express but we were cooking!

Back on the familiar coast, Hooter, Julie S, Rob and I were out the front and were moving at a fairly respectable speed. Given I ride the Carlsbad to Solana Beach route a lot, I feel like it is home ground and can judge it pretty well.





We made it back to Solana Beach and the chocolate milk tasted good!

The numbers (so we were about 500 feet of climb less than planned and 14 miles short of the distance) but that is doable to make up.
Distance:
77.66 mi
Elevation Gain:
3,823 ft
Calories:
4,586 C
Avg HR: 144 bpm
Max HR: 179 bpm

It was fun ride, and I changed the tire, reclaimed the boot and will buy a new pump this week!!

One more organized shorter ride next week and we are down the to wire!