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

[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!? 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!

[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