www.sdrecyclers.org/weblog

The site is in constant flux because, change is inevitable. With the disappearance of RouteSlip.Com as a site where I could create and reference maps, I had to find a replacement.

After looking around at other sites I settled on Bikely as the resource. Since it takes quite some time to create each map, I decided to spread it out. I will try to create new maps on Bikely no later than the day before the ride. I just don’t have the time to create them all at once, since each takes about an hour to create and there are currently about 27 rides on the site. So I’ll just have to do it over time.

I wanted to add a word of appreciation to Greta for her great camera and graphics work. Without her help, SDRecyclers would be a plain and boring site. All the graphic headers and most all the pictures in the gallery are there, thanks to Greta. Good work Greta! Thanks for helping to make this site what it is.

Thank you for reading.

Summer made an early appearance this year. The weatherman promised a cooling trend, but it was not looking that cool as we headed out that morning.

The early birds started from the ever popular Balboa Park address of Balboa Drive and El Prado, more popularly referred to as Sixth and Laurel. It was already sunny and warm when the adventurous riders set off on their morning jaunt. I have said it before, but it bears repeating. Balboa Park is a special treat in the early morning before it fills with the throngs that arrive every weekend. The freshness and beauty of the grounds, raise the spirits and brighten the day. I look forward to every ride we start there.

Taking our usual route the early birds headed north and west through North Park and Mission Hills down the Presidio hill. From there we traveled past the Old Town Trolley stop, north on the Pacific Coast Highway to the South San Diego River bike path. When we reached “the last bridge” at Sunset Cliffs we crossed over to Mission Bay and met the rest of our group.

We were joined by two lovely ladies from the suburbs of Houston, Mona and Maggie. They regaled us with stories about the booming economy and amazing low prices of real estate on the Texas Gulf Coast. The failed to mention the heat, the humidity, the bugs and the hurricanes. But then we weren’t talking about California earthquakes either.

I received an email from Mona and Maggie:

Thanks for letting Maggie and me ride with you on the 22nd up to Linda Vista. And, thank you to Dennis & Haven for their hospitality! We did three other rides that we pulled from your website. They were great.

From Quivera Point we rode east to Friars Road. The thermometer climbed as did all the riders heading up Linda Vista Road. Everyone kept up the pace, anticipating the rest stop Dennis had planned for us. Was it to be an unbearably hot day? Several riders kept reminding everyone to drink plenty of water.

When we got to Dennis’ house aound 10:00 and it was a lovely. Haven had drinks and munchies ready, when the enthusiastic riding group arrived. <b><u>Thanks so much for your hospitality Dennis and Haven !</u></b>

Anticipating much warmer weather than we actually encountered, we were back on the road in less than an hour. We crossed Carroll Canyon by way of Camino Santa Fe then crossed the railroad canyon on Miramar Rd. We made our way to East Gate Mall over to UCSD campus and down Gillman Dr. Down hill on Gillman Dr is much different than uphill. We followed the busy Rose Canyon bike path and back to Pacific Coast Highway.

At the river we split into two groups. The main group headed west along the San Diego River bike path. The early birds went on to Old Town and up Presidio Hill and made their way back to Balboa Park.

It turned into a lovely day, not nearly as hot as the few days past had been. Although we had a few stragglers and got some confusion about a few turns, over all it was another memorable Recyclers ride, and much fun was had by all in attendance.

This week’s ride was the ever popular Tour de Campus. The ten early birds started from Balboa park. After a short jaunt through the center of the park we rode North along Park Boulevard to University, through Mission Hills and Presidio Park. Then we made our way North along Pacific Highway to meet up with the rest of the Recyclers in Mission Bay Park.

From the East side of Mission Bay, we rode north along E Mssion Bay Drive to the bike path along the creek, then to Santa Fe Drive and the Rose Canyon Bike Path. When we exited the north end of the bike path, we took Gillman Drive north to UCSD. We took a meandering path across the campus exiting at North Point Drive and North Torrey Pines Road. After we turned left on Genesee we turned around near the entrance to Torrey Pines Golf Course. The preparation for the upcoming U.S. Open were already in evidence.

From there we returned down North Torrey Pines Road turned right on Torrey Pines Road and headed down the hill. Paul and Greta had a flat on the tandem they were riding, and Marty and I stopped to help. After some joking and cajoling the flat was repaired and we rejoined the main group in La Jolla at the park.

Like almost every Sunday, this was just another ride through paradise. The group continued together south along the coast until we reached Mission Bay. Then we rode around the bay on the board walk, and south across the bridge and onto the south San Diego river bike path. We headed into Ocean Beach to one of our favorite coffee shops, the Java Jungle.

After coffee the group split up. Some headed back east along the South San Diego river bike path and a smaller group headed south along Sunset Cliff’s over Point Loma and back to Balboa Park. At Pacific Coast Highway the larger group split once again. The bulk headed North back to the Mission Bay Park starting point. Jerry, Marty and I made our way back to Balboa Park. We rode south along Pacific Highway to the Old Town Trolley stop. Then we headed south along Congress through Old Town, along San Diego Avenue, crossed under the freeway at Noell and then up the hill on Washington. At University we veered to the right and turned South at 4th Avenue. We traveled South on 4th and back to the park where we started.

I had small annoyances with my bike all day. At the end of the ride, my right ankle was swollen from banging it against the right pedal when my cleat would release unexpectedly. This seemed always to happen when I was trying to accelerate, pull a hill or otherwise put extra force on the pedal. After the ride I headed off to the bike shop. I bought new shoes and pedals and now am using “MTB” style shoes and pedals. So far I like them, the unexpected release problem is cured, and I can walk around without destroying my cleats when off the bike.

Sunday June 1st, 2008

Since we were celebrating one of the founders of the Recyclers, Marty Weiss’ Birthday he designated the ride and provided the route slips. The goal was a 70 Kilometer ride in honor of his 70th Birthday.

It was a beautiful Sunday morning as are many here in San Diego. The fourteen early birds assembled at Marty’s house and headed out for a short loop around Lake Murray and a meetup with the bulk of the Recyclers at the corner of Navajo and Jackson Drive. Due to a late start, we cut the early bird portion of the ride a little short, in order to make the scheduled meeting at 8:00 A.M

While we were getting ready to ride from the parking lot, Marty received a Happy Birthday greeting from Alan Schuchman from Turkey. Alan has ridden with the Recyclers several times in the past. He since has taken a job teaching English to crew members on Cruise ships. Marty seeed really to enjoy the good wishes and the novelty of a Birthday wish all the way from Turkey.

From Navajo and Jackson we headed east toward El Cajon. A large group rode out from the parking lot. Marty’s ride included pieces of many of the Recyclers’ favorite east county rides. We headed east toward old Highway 80 by way of Fletcher Parkway and Greenfield Road. Then we headed out toward El Monte Park by way of Las Coches Road.

On El Monte Rd the group had an encounter with a rude and obnoxious driver in a pickup truck with a Chocolate Labrador Retriever dog passenger. He veered toward riders, pulled in front of others and honked his horn to annoy others. Several riders called 911 on their cell phones to report his verbal threats and dangerous driving and the Highway Patrol responded. It’s lkely the driver was a local, because the officers didn’t find him on the road or at the lake where the road dead ends.

After talking to the officers at El Monte Park the group headed out again for the rest of the ride. We wended our way around Lakeside by way of Lake Jennings Park Rd, Mapleview Street and Channel Road. After arriving back in Santee we made our way past Woodglen park, east on Mast Boulevard. After the scenic ride through Mission Trails Park we turned right on Mission Gorge Road and left on Jackson Drive.

This was arguably the toughest part of the ride. This one and a quarter mile section of Jackson Drive I would estimate is a 6-8% grade. I don’t have proof, but I hear rumors that some riders actually got off their bikes and walked up this hill.

At the top of the hill was the parking lot where the regular riders started. From the the parking lot all the regular riders returned to their cars for the drive to Marty’s house and brunch. The early birds rode their bikes back.

Ruth prepared a sumptuous feast for Marty’s Birthday Brunch. There was a cake and everyone sang “Happy Birthday” to Marty. Greta presented Marty with a custom made Birthday Card signed by most of the Recyclers and of course there was the obligatory Birthday cake. Marty spoke briefly and expressed his sincere appreciation for the Birthday wishes and the camaraderie of the members of Recyclers bicycle club. Everyone seemed to really enjoy the brunch.

It was another great Sunday ride with the Recyclers and we wish Marty and all the members many happy returns.

Yesterday’s ride turned out to be spectacular, on a crisp clear day, with some
absolutely beautiful views of SD’s north county coast and of the beautifully
blooming foliage in the back country (if that’s what you can call it) of
Rancho Santa Fe.

The coffee stop was at our tried and true, Caffé Positano, in Rancho Santa Fe itself. Our group was small, but lively (as always), and everyone seemed to have a great time.

For this next week, we’re going to move out east to where we’re sure to see even more beautiful wild flowers and foliage, as we traverse our way up the Old Julian Hwy to Hwy 78 and the back
country of Ramona.

This scenic and challenging ride starts at Dos Picos Park in Ramona. After we make our way around the Southwestern end of Ramona, we climb the Old Julian Highway to the junction with Highway 78. Then there’s a swift downhill return to our coffee stop at Packards in downtown Ramona. It is truly a scenic back country ride. There will not be an early bird for this
ride, as Sunday we go back on daylight savings (make a note). We will meet at8:00 for an 8:15 roll out from the park.

We’re hoping to have the rangers open the park early so we can park inside the gates, but, if not, we’ll meet just outside the entrance as always. I’m planning on bringing a few chairs and an ice chest with a few cold drinks to kick it at the park after the ride for a bit of relaxation and possibly a little exploration of the grounds (I’ve not done so there before, and the park seems to be absolutely beautiful this time of year). So please feel free to do the same (should you be so
inclined). In any case, we hope to see you all for the ride.

The address of the park is as follows, so you can Google directions:

17953 Dos Picos Road,
Ramona, 92065.

This is the new blog, short for weblog, of the San Diego Recyclers Bike Club. Look for new posts here or if you’re web savy sign up for the RSS feed from the site.