Chicks that ride Irvine to San Diego

We trained, we were prepared and we conquered!  On Saturday, September 8th, 6 chicks (and a handler) gathered at the Irvine train station on Barranca and hit the road close to 6 a.m.  The early morning weather was warm enough that we didn't need jackets or arm warmers.  Chris's husband, Scott decided to head away from San Diego, but the rest of us headed South.

We began with an medium pace and easily made our way through Lake Forest and into Capistrano hitting our first rest stop before 13 miles.  The stop was a little long for Theresa's liking but soon we were back on the road heading to Doheny Beach and Dana Point.  Then we were on Coast Highway although it's known by different names all the way down the coast. 

As we got into San Onofre Campground Becky realized that her sluggishness was really a very low on air back tire.   We knew there would be mechanic support at Las Pulgas rest stop, so we added air and kept heading South.  By now everyone was warmed up and we were able to increase the pace a little bit.  Before the Las Pulgas rest stop and before we entered the Marine base at Camp Pendleton, the PhotoCrazy photographer had set up lights and remote control camera. Each chick was provided with a riding photo op.

Becky

 Chris

 Karen

Pat

Steve

Theresa & Jessy



Becky was able to get her flat fixed at the Las Pulgas rest stop and we entered Camp Pendleton after a quick stop at the guard gate to show our driver's licenses.  There was some construction in the base so we had a detour in our route which added a hill no one was expecting.  The day was warm but we continued on exiting the base and heading into down town Oceanside.   After a nice ride through residential along the ocean we came to our lunch stop in Bucaneer Park.  Finally we were able to take off our helmets and gloves, grab some protein sandwiches for lunch and sit down for a bit.  Although we were some of the first ones at the first rest stop, the bulk of the riders were starting to pour into the lunch stop.
Some more fruit and cookies, filling our water bottles, a little stretching and we were once again on our way.  heading toward Carlsbad, then Encinitas and the southern beach cities.  As we arrived at each hill some wondered was this worse than Torrey Pines?  How will we know when we get to Torrey Pines.  Eventually though the residential area gave way to open coastal and you could see the road curving up like a mountain road to the left.   Ask Karen what her first impression was of this little hill.

At the top of the hill we were treated to fruit popsicles and then filled our water bottles for the last time as we began our last 15 miles to the train.  We wove our way through San Diego streets and bike trails and grouped up with a couple of large groups of riders through the down town area.   As we turned the corner into the parking lot finish, people were cheering and clapping.   We swung our legs back off our bikes and still had smiles on our faces.

Time for the train ride home and enjoy some appetizers and libations.  Great job everyone!  Let's start planning out next adventure.