Fredwina does a brvet! (is this old news?)

[Fredwina]

I decided to do a 200K brevet this morning. I drove down to San Diego , and it was drizzling all the way down. I had looked at the weather forecast before leaving, and it looked like it would clear off, Wrong!
I go to the start location right at the start time(the trolley stop in Old Town), I needed to use the bathroom real bad.... Unfortunately, they were all locked!
So I started out. I found a quickie mart and used theirs. I had though about going in the woods, but I really need to use some toilet paper to ensure a comfortable ride
I pedaled past Mission bay and then got on what has to be the world's worst bike path. Trees root growing through the pavement, blind curves, a Homeless encampment under a bridge, plus it ended in a flight of stairs
Sound like fun? Did I mention the weather forecast said the rain would end? well instead it started pouring. I was pretty miserable and thought about turn around.
The rain finally started to let up at Oceanside. Going through Camp Pendleton, I started to met ride from an MS150 going the other way. I got out of the base and rode the old 101/coast Highway to San Clemente. where The control and turnaround was at a Carl's Jr(think Hardee's if you're in the Midwest or East Coast). Most Carl's have a mexican sub-menu. I had a burrito platter (had to get my much Frijloes for the way back . It reminded for an Auto shop that I used to live by that claimed to specialize in Foreign and Domestic Autos, I always wanted to my car by - as at the time I had Mercury built in Mexico with an Australian body and a Japanese engine.
Anyway, the way back!
It finally cleared up enough to take pics:

an Indian Guru had this built for himself: The area is called Swami's:

I stopped at a 7-eleven in Encitas to refuel, and Finally Came to my nemesis, The Torrey Pines climb:


It gains about 500 feet in about a miles. I tried a little game. The climb is bit deceiving , as it has a sharp curve about halfway up, just enough to demoralize you. So , i kept that mind, and tried to conserve my effort, and I was up it no time. and no let down rounding that curve.
It was downhill the rest of the way. I did a victory loop of Fiesta island and turned in my card. This got me over 6,000 miles for the year (sorry Lisa) and I'm now eligible for the R-1000 (1000 kilos in Randonees in a single year.
Now to work on that Fleche cue sheet

[Tuckervill]

I like how you just "decided" to do a brevet "this morning".

I've only been to California a few times, but I have seen that Swami place! It's hard to forget. I remember it because my son and I were arguing at the time. lol. How weird is that?

Sorry it rained on you. Thanks for the report!

Karen

[jobob]

Nice report, as always !

FWIW, I usually bring one of those pocket-sized packs of Kleenex, if nature calls and the available facilities (whatever they may be) hve no TP.

[Fredwina]

I like how you just "decided" to do a brevet "this morning".

I've only been to California a few times, but I have seen that Swami place! It's hard to forget. I remember it because my son and I were arguing at the time. lol. How weird is that?

Sorry it rained on you. Thanks for the report!

Karen

I had planned on week or two in advance, but almost decided not when I saw the rain, but the weather said it would "clear out" right

[Mr. Bloom]

I had planned on week or two in advance,

Hmmm...I'm having to plan stuff in '09 to assure I can be able...

[sundial]

Nice pictures, Fredwina. My favorite is heading toward the coast.

This is a dumb question but what is a brevet?

[onimity]

Brevet:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brevet_%28cycling%29

Congrats Fredwina, that's an amazing number of miles (or kms) for the year!

Anne