We have been getting much needed rain in California lately, and it continues to wreak its own special havoc with outdoor activities. Cyclists here are not used to dealing with rain and they mostly stop riding, so when I ride in the wet there are very few cyclists to be seen, even on weekend mornings. I don’t think it is a coincidence that it is the Wicked Witch of the West that dissolves and dies when she gets hit by water in the land of Oz. Had she been the Wicked Witch of the Southwest the analogy would be even better. But my trusty new-ish Salsa Cutthroat and I have braved the rain and mud (where it won’t damage trails) when possible.
The rain was forecast to let up for much of President’s Day weekend, and I decided to take advantage of the day off by doing an overnighter camp trip from Sunday to Monday, staying at the very urban San Elijo State Beach campground, which offers a “hike or bike” campsite. It is only ten bucks a night, no reservations needed and they never turn anyone away.
Here are my graphics of the ride. One of each type for the two days of the ride:
Elapsed Time | Moving Time | Distance | Average Speed | Max Speed | Elevation Gain | Calories Burned |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
04:17:22
hours
|
03:57:20
hours
|
44.19
mi.
|
11.17
mph
|
30.42
mph
|
1,486.22
ft.
|
2,354
kcal
|
Relive ‘Lunch Ride’
Elapsed Time | Moving Time | Distance | Average Speed | Max Speed | Elevation Gain | Calories Burned |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
04:58:19
hours
|
03:51:43
hours
|
43.74
mi.
|
11.33
mph
|
31.99
mph
|
1,332.02
ft.
|
2,435
kcal
|
Relive ‘Return home from overnighter’
After leaving the neighborhood by way of an optional new climb, I arrived at San Onofre State Beach, greeted by this welcoming committee:
The route leaves San Onofre and heads to Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base, which I love riding across. Part of the route is a dedicated bike trail, some of which is the old highway surface that predates the nearby I-5 freeway. It also provides the Marines access to a helipad used for training exercises. By this point in the ride you are long past any services or civilization. There is an unobstructed view from the inland hills to the ocean. The coastal sage ecosystem had turned green and was flowering after all the rain. So it was a sharp contrast to the scenery when I came across this parked next to the bike trail:
Apparently one of the “helicopters” had not fared so well. For those of you not familiar with this aircraft, it is a unique beast called the “Osprey” tilt rotor. They can take off, land and hover like a helicopter. While they are in the air they can rotate the rotors convert from a helicopter into a prop plane and back. They operate in the area but they are a rare sighting, so getting to see one up close like this was a real treat. It was covered with Marine mechanics, clearly working feverishly to get the big bird back in the air.
The ride from there continued along coast highway toward San Diego. I worried I had left too late and would arrive at the campsite after dark, which I have done way too many times. But I arrived with daylight to spare, albeit not much.
I set up camp and made a concoction of Idahoan potatoes, leftover chicken from home and dried veggies which I had rehydrating all day while I was riding. I was practicing at being self-contained for more remote rides in the future, doing my best to pretend that I am roughing it while camped in the midst of a tourist hot spot full of Starbucks’, 7-11s and restaurants. If anything were to go wrong I could simply ride my bike to a bike shop, sporting goods store, hospital or 5 star hotel. I did give in and buy some wine. Which, by the way, was too much for me to finish in one evening.
Breakfast came out looking a little nicer I think.
This was an out and back ride, not a loop. So it was back along the coast, stopping for supplies.
Backtracking meant I got to see if the Osprey was still there. They were still working on it. Maybe they where having a hard time getting parts.
For the final leg of he journey, after several weeks of rain and clouds, the sun made a glorious appearance along the coast.
This overnighter started by riding out of my garage, and ended with me riding back up to it. It was a great success. I finally made a checklist for my rides, and this time I did not forget anything. It was amazing.
And my new bike impressed. It not only bore the burden of all the gear, but it remained a lively, solid platform while doing it. Much to my delight, when I stood on the pedals the front stayed planted. And most important it is red.
I am running out of local campgrounds to venture to. My next overnighter may be a little farther afield, or it may be a rerun. Time will tell.