Oceanside Coastal Cruise Ride Report-29 April 2017
by Rob Verfurth
Riders: Sheehan, Guido, Paul P, John M, Tony, Cresap, Hodges, Rick W, Jim and Rob
The ride name is misleading most of the time. Tony has added a bunch of elevation after Oceanside Harbor by riding Sleeping Indian Road and over through Bonsall before circling back through Escondido; that ride is a lengthy 85 miles. It was a hot and Santa Ana windy Saturday, a great day for a coastal cruise. We started on the 56 bike path in PQ and rode to PCH. Paul, Rick W, Jim and Sheehan broke away from the group through Solana Beach, we regrouped by Swami’s. The group cruised along Neptune Road before looping back to PCH. Guido was back riding in a group ride for the first time in quite a while, good to see him out. He and Cresap bid adieu in Encinitas and circled back down the coast. Sheehan turned right at La Costa Road and looped back through Elfin Forest to get to Poway.
The rest of us kept up a good pace into Carlsbad. Rick W left us at Cannon Road as he turned inland. Once in Carlsbad Village, the traffic got congested and I crept out front. The group behind did not react. I continued to sneak farther away past the Oceanside Pier. Despite the protestations from Hodges, the group was too late in closing the gap. I cruised into the harbor turnaround well ahead of the fast closing pursuers. We regrouped at the bathroom, I announced I was skipping Sleeping Indian. Tony tried to twist my arm but only Jim volunteered to do the extra miles in the heat and wind. It was still fairly nice in Oceanside but the winds were gusty. Tony and Jim must have suffered to complete the full Sleeping Indian Loop. I saw 85+ miles and 4K+ of elevation gain from each of their Strava posts, good for them. Congrats, great riding gentlemen.
The rest of us–Hodges, Paul P, John M and me were heading back down the coast. Hodges was saving himself for the E’tape the following day. I am sure the ride report for that event will be coming soon. Paul had more family duties and I was just too tired to ride inland. We started together in Oceanside. It was such a beautiful day with nice waves, I wanted to get a photo near the pier. The wind gusts had other ideas. Just as I pulled out my camera and was riding with no hands, a big gust hit my bike. I was barely able to save the fall, to the delight and chuckles of Paul and Mike just behind me. Well, no photos but no fall. I rode by some friends out on their Saturday ride at the south end of Oceanside so I stopped to chat a bit. Paul, Hodges and John continued to Carlsbad. After a nice chat, I soloed the rest of the way home, hiding on the wheels of a tri-bike group for a bit and chasing other riders down the coast. I finally saw John again in Solana Beach just as a friend of Rick & Denise was pushing ahead. His name was Jay and he works at Illumina, good rider. I rode with him back to the 56 bike path. By the time I got home it was just about 64 miles and only 1,800 feet of climbing; pales in comparison to the efforts of Tony and Jim. Below are a few photos from the ride, most taken while not riding.
San Diego Descenders Cycling Club 