Yesterday I got up at the crack and was on my bike before it even got light. I rode Sue to the Panikin and kept going up to Carlbad to meet the Wednesday ride that leaves from Starbucks. There were maybe 40-50 guys, more joining in route. The ride just goes up to San Clemente and back, through the marine base, Camp Pendelton.

I’ve been doing this ride since the mid-80’s back when it started in Del Mar and was really a who’s who’s of the best triathletes in the world. John Howard is probably the only guy that has been doing it consistently since then. And he was there yesterday.

The ride was good. I was sort of pooped from the day before, but was fine just sitting in. It got going pretty fast a couple times on the way up and back. What really surprised me is who fast the remaining guys kept going down the coast after we got back to Carlsbad. I had a pretty good group to ride with all the way back to UCSD in La Jolla. It is strange getting over 100 miles and being back before noon. It took nearly exactly 5 hours.

Anyway, it was an appropriate way to end a pretty extended San Diego training stint. I’m on my way to Texas now to ride the Houston MS150. I guess the real bike racing will have to wait for a couple more weekends. Joe Martin is at the end of the month. I haven’t went much further than that. Okay, better get back to driving.

John Howard and Nelson Vails. I’ve known John since I was a teenager. He lived in Austin back then, but was originally from Missouri.

This is Thurlow Rogers riding by the nuclear power plant , San Onofre.

Yesterday was in the top 5 of all time longest drives in one day. I’ve done some all nighters before from Topeka to the West and East coasts, but the drive from San Diego to Austin seemed to go on forever. It took me a little under 17 1/2 hours, which is averaging 76 mph with stops. Luckily the speed limits in Texas are 80 on the Interstates. I kind of lost it about 2 am Midwest time, but only had less than an hour left at that point.

So, with a super short nights sleep, I’m getting on my bike and riding the 20 miles over to the Austin Airport to pick up a rental car. I’m driving it back to Ann’s house, loading up my stuff, air mattress, clothes etc., that I need for the MS 150 this weekend, and then heading off to Houston. I need to go to the Marriott, drop off my stuff, then take the car back and ride back to the hotel. I don’t think I’m going to have any time to catch up on sleep today.

The ride is supposed to start at 6:45 am tomorrow. I don’t really see a great reason to head out that early if we have to ride less than 100 miles, but I guess I’ll go when everyone else takes off. I hope I don’t get sick from this hectic schedule. I know my body needed yesterday “off”, but it really wasn’t that off.

Okay, sorry about the boring day to day life posts recently, but that is all I got right now. I have to get riding. The ride to the Austin Airport is not a good one.

The drive from San DIego to Austin goes through Arizona, New Mexico and then Texas. When you get to Texas, you’re half way there. There are lots and lots of rocks along the way.

I saw lots of wind farms along the route.

And lots of dust devils.

The speed limit in Texas is 80. I usually drive just 9 over.

Arizona and Texas both had border stops with dogs. For some reason, it made me a little nervous, even though I had nothing to hide.

And Bromont’s different postions during the drive. He only got out a couple times. He is a very seasoned traveller.

Finally at Ann’s house in Austin.