And here's why I live in San Diego...

[channlluv]

https://picasaweb.google.com/116369284658389121688/RedTrolleyCriterium2011Cat3#5570763824635755282

Push the forward button several times...this was the Cat 4-5 finale of the Red Trolley Criterium about a mile from where I live. That's one of DH's teammates in the lead. The announcer was shouting, "When in doubt, lead it out!"

Of course, the day started out like this, down at Fiesta Island, at a marine layer-blanketed time trial sponsored by the San Diego Bike Club:

https://picasaweb.google.com/116369284658389121688/FiestaIslandTimeTrial20110206#5570768251181037106 -- this woman is my hero!

And here is DH: https://picasaweb.google.com/116369284658389121688/FiestaIslandTimeTrial20110206#5570768196673548434

We went from winter (50 degrees) to summer (95 in the sun, according to the thermometer on my front porch) in about three hours. I took all of these photos. I hope you enjoy them.

Roxy

[Blueberry]

Fabulous photos! Thanks for sharing:)

Seriously - it's one of the most beautiful places on earth. DH had a conference out there and I tagged along a couple of years ago - seems my family was taking bets on whether I would get on the plane to come home....

[channlluv]

It was pretty exciting. I'd never attended a real criterium like this. I had a great time getting close ups of the riders as they came whizzing past me. DH has posted those links to the club's Facebook page, too. I hope they enjoy them.

San Diego is gorgeous, for sure. And pretty bike-friendly.

Roxy

[lph]

great photos! very cool.

[Blueberry]

San Diego is gorgeous, for sure. And pretty bike-friendly.

Yes - it is! We actually took our folding bikes - we knew nothing about the area - and had some great rides! We must plan a trip back!

[maillotpois]

Great pics! You're making me homesick! (I went to high school and law school in SD. We lived there fore 5 years after law school and DD was born there. I really wish I had been a cyclist when I lived there.)

[emily_in_nc]

Wow, your DH is awesome! And that woman too -- a hero indeed!

I've heard so much good about San Diego. My father used to travel there with some frequency for various conventions and such (architecture). He always spoke about how much he loved the area.

[channlluv]

Thank you for the compliments on the pictures. I have a Nikon D7000 (Christmas gift from DH, I think just so I can take pictures of him on his bike - ha!) and I had it on the sports setting, so really, the camera is doing all the work. I just point and shoot.

It was a beautiful day here today, and a gorgeous evening. It's almost balmy.

Roxy

[emily_in_nc]

It was a beautiful day here today, and a gorgeous evening. It's almost balmy.

I'm so envious! We had bright sunshine but a STIFF wind today. When I left work, despite the fact that it was in the low 40s, it felt much colder with the wind. I am so so tired of having to wear a scarf and gloves every day and being cold all the time! I hate winter...wahhhhhhh... :(

On the plus side, it's supposed to be 60 here on Sunday and 66 on Monday! Can you say bike ride!? :D I'm even thinking of taking PTO on Monday so I can walk the dog, go to the library, ride at lunchtime, shower, and still make it to my afternoon eye exam. What the heck! :cool:

[PamNY]

Those are great photos! I love San Diego. I went there on my first "grown up" vacation. It was idyllic.

[shootingstar]

It's great that you and DH can share the love of cycling for real as an add-on to everything else. :)

If I can recall dimly..your DH lost a certain amount of weight or became leaner due to cycling?

[channlluv]

You are correct, Shootingstar. He's lost about 70 pounds in the last two years, and he wants to lose 20 more so he can be more competitive in the 45+ Cat 5/4 races. He just got his card and he's going to try to do all ten qualifying points races this season.

Roxy

[Crankin]

How do you deal with riding when there's a stop light every mile and endless developments?
I've spent a ton of time there; first as a Zonie who vacationed there, and my parents moved there in 1979. Now my dad, brother, son and DIL live in the area. Since I probably have a vacation coming up to visit my dad who is 86, I often wonder where the good places to ride are.

[channlluv]

Crankin, what part of town? I can ask for recommended rides for you.

DH just rode from our house up to Oceanside and back today -- about 60 miles. There are long stretches of highway along the ocean that do not have lights, but there are city areas, too, that do. It's a favorite route of the local bike clubs, though, so you'll be one of many people on two wheels.

I like to ride the 7-mile to-the-turn-around-and-back loop MUP at Lake Miramar, which is just off I-15 across from Miramar MCAS, and around the four-mile-shared-with-cars-and-trucks route around Fiesta Island, which is right in the middle of Mission Bay, off I-5 at Sea World Drive. Both have beautiful water views.

There is a bike path near Fiesta Island that runs along the San Diego River that goes all the way to Ocean Beach. A lot of it is designated bike path, although you'll find runners, too, and when you get into town, there are lights.

There's also a sidewalk that goes all the way around Mission Bay - several miles, not sure how far exactly - but it has an 8 mph speed limit and lots of pedestrians, bladers, boarders, and other bikes, especially near the parks. It's pretty, though, if you don't want to go fast.

The mountain highways are really great for hill practice. I'm not strong enough to tackle those yet, but I hear they're beautiful, and right now it's cool up there. There's snow down around 6,000 feet, I think.

Let me know what area you're interested in, though, and I'll ask for some routes for you.

Roxy

[pumpkinpony]

DH just rode from our house up to Oceanside and back today -- about 60 miles. There are long stretches of highway along the ocean that do not have lights, but there are city areas, too, that do. It's a favorite route of the local bike clubs, though, so you'll be one of many people on two wheels.


I may have crossed paths with him today... We rode from B&L at Solana Beach down to Sorrento Valley and back. Great day for a ride!

[Crankin]

Thanks, Roxy.
My son lives in Carlsbad, right across from the beach. I am not sure where my dad is; I know that sounds strange, but he moved and I haven't been out since. It's in central SD. For years, my parents lived in La Mesa.
I have seen riders going along the highway, by the ocean. To me, it seemed like riding on the freeway, but I could do it. Going out toward the mountains might be fun. Not sure if I could get to any of the summits, but I could try. I don't generally ride on bike paths, unless I am going to do errands/out to eat, and we only have 2 around here, anyway. I don't like dealing with the runners, etc.
I guess I am really spoiled by riding out my door to what most would call country roads, or at the most suburban traffic, without a lot of stopping.