General Cycling Discussion - Rainman headed to San Diego, DC, Aspen, North Arkansas

Over the next couple of months I will be on the road a lot. I thought I would post my general itenerary in hopes of either hooking up for a ride, beer or meal with any local BFers.

San Diego, May 12-16 - Business. Staying in the Gas Lamp district downtown. I won't have a bike but could take helmet, shoes, pedals is there is a ride opportunity and someone could lend me a bike in the 56-60 cm range (I'm pretty adaptable.)

DC area, Tysons Corner, VA, June 9-13 - Business.

Aspen - June 28-July 5 - Vacation. Staying somewhere in the downtown area, I think. Someone else made the arrangements. Right now I am planning to take a bike hoping to get in at least a couple of rides especially up to Independence Pass.

North Arkansas, Horseshoe Bend, west of Pocahontas - July 12-19 - Vacation. We will be driving so I will definitely take a bike.

It would be great to hear from anyone in any of those areas. My cell phone (national plan) is 504-388-7297. Feel free to give me a call if we don't communicate by email in time.
Regards,
Raymond

There are a few shops in the Gas Lamp that rent bikes. There are plenty of good rides from downtown San Diego. I hope you enjoy the stay.

Rainman. Have appreciated your mechanical advice in past. Not sure I am up to it. I am down, I think due to an injury. I have three bikes, two 55's and a 56. I do live about 50 miles north of San Diego.. OF course, prejudiced, I think the riding is lots better in North San Diego county.. Easy way to get up here -take commuter train at union station, downtown to Oceanside train station. Great train ride.. It is called the "Coaster." Bikes welcome on commuter train.. Great riding up here.
If, I am up and running and available from work, welcome to ride with our group.We ride on Tuesdays and Thursdays, normally.
Welcome to give us an email, if like- to and see how it goes.
To get used to where cyclists pathways are, go to tourist office at Mission Park, north of town along I-5(north of Sea World) and get a county cycling map.
Traffic is not too bad on popular bikeways, adjacent the ocean heading north and you get a great climb Near Torrey Pines State Park- lots' different than New Orleans.
Have a great stay..

Thanks heresy, cyclezealot, and John E for info on the SD area. Anyone else have suggestions on SD or the other areas?
Thanks,
Raymond

Rainman, everyone seems to want to cycle between the north county cycling lanes adjacent the ocean.. Getting between downtown and the Univ. Calif./San Diego areas involves some tricky, congested route changes- for one not familiar with the area..
Might check out the coummuter train service between downtown and Solana Beach to avoid this busy area..It is bike friendly.. If you want a climb traveling south from north county go up the Torrey Pines hill climb and then go back on the bike to Solana Beach- oh 5-8 miles and take the train back into town, and avoid the busy surface streets. Just an idea.. The "Coaster" has a web site. Suggestion, might take the train as far as Encinitas or Carlsbad and ride south to Torrey Pines Hill. Then back to Solana Beach train depot.. I will ask around as to bike rentals in downtown San Diego, should you not find another source..

Thanks, CZ. San Diego Bike Shop is near my hotel. I have already contacted them about renting a bike. Obviously, I would rather have a good-fitting road bike than a hybrid, but I will make do with what is available. I will check the Coaster's website. We road it when I was there last year. I like the idea of a train/bike combo. It will allow me to venture farther in the same time. The Torrey Pines ride sounds pretty nice.
Regards,
Raymond.

RainmanP

I am so close to Tyson Corner its not funny. I would like to meet up for a ride (it would be a recovery ride for you because I am still a slow cyclist) or a meal. I don't drink, but if you don't mind your company drinking soda then that would be cool too. Let me know.

Nas,
Yea! We will plan something. I don't know exactly where we will be staying, but I will get back in touch with you week after next, May 19. Things may have firmed up by then. The dates are supposed to be firm, but the precise location is still not 100%.
Regards,
Raymond

Originally posted by RainmanP
Nas,
Yea! We will plan something. I don't know exactly where we will be staying, but I will get back in touch with you week after next, May 19. Things may have firmed up by then. The dates are supposed to be firm, but the precise location is still not 100%.
Regards,
Raymond

I'll wait to hear from you next week.

Just a thought. The Torrey Pines climb is something like 800-900 feet and about 1.5 miles long... Two routes about Torrey Pines climb. One the main road or at the north Torrey Pines state beach at the base of the hill, take a route through the state beach and go up the hilll. Less traffic, greater grade and you ride through the pines instead of hearing the traffic about you..

Cyclochica,
I just heard a rumor that my Tyson's Corner trip may be postponed! I will update when I have more info.
Regards,
Raymond

Oh too bad, well whenever you are in town we can get a ride or a meal together.

rainman

i see you are heading to aspen...a great place in the summer..lots of bike rental places..you might want to check that out

make sure you give yourself a day or two to acclimatize to the altitude...esp since you are below sea level at home

i went to snowmass for the wilderness medicine conference last year and got a terrible case of acute mountain sickness (AMS) and i probably had mild high altitude pulmonary edema as well...my O2 sat was <80% and it ruined the first two days of our trip....i had been at elevation many times before and this really suprised me.. i got over it and got to do some great hikes and a ride on the rio grande trail later

some things you can consider

ask your doctor about acetazolamide or dexamethasone prophylaxis...they can help

avoid alcohol and any sedatives the first 2 nights at altitude

don't overexert at first...mild exercise probably helps prevent AMS but hard exercise is not such a good idea the first day or two

Thanks for the tips, Bandaidman! I figured I would need to take it easy for the first couple of days.

avoid alcohol and any sedatives the first 2 nights at altitude

Actually, avoid them the entire time. It really takes your body more than a week to get fully acclimated.

And the most important thing (not yet mentioned) - keep hydrated. Lots and lots of fluids.

Aspen is not very high, compared to other parts of Colorado.

http://www.high-altitude-medicine.com/AMS.html

Also, I love that Torrey Pines Hill - the one going through the state park. It is a blast and a neat climb. Don't miss it.

Also, extremely enjoyable is a walk along the beach (especially at low tide) from the state park parking area south. You can go for miles, and after awhile not too many folks will go down that far. There are some neat cliffs/rocks protruding into the ocean, and at low tide you can get around them and see lots of sea life (sea anemones, for example) in the tide pools.

As I kid, I spent many days in that area.

DnvrFox,
Thanks for the note. I will be touring Torrey Pines the first day. John E has graciously offered to guide me. I am looking forward not only to the riding, but also to getting to meet some new BF buddies!


Don't guess you want to take the day off on Thursday, July 3, for an early ride from Aspen up to Independence Pass with me? I would feel better with someone along to call 911 when I keel over. :D Speaking of which, does anyone know of chainrings smaller than 22 and rear cogs larger than 34?
Regards,
Raymond

of course keeping hydrated is very important at any elevation ...but especially so at elevation

full acclimatization does take more than a few days..but for most people on 1 week trips the first two days seem to be the most important ... especially for people who travel to high elevation rapidly (ie by plane form sea level etc)

i agree about avoiding alcohol for at least a week at altitude...in fact i avoid it completely...

Don't guess you want to take the day off on Thursday, July 3, for an early ride from Aspen up to Independence Pass with me?

Strange as it may seem, I will most likely be in California - staying at Carlsbad, just north a bit of Torrey Pines. We will have our bikes, so there is a pretty good chance I will be biking on that Torrey Pines Grade and walking down that beach at Torrey Pines State Beach!!

Rainman and John E make the grade!

Yesterday after work, I met Rainman's train, and we took a bicycle tour Sorrento Valley, Carmel Valley, the Torrey Pines preserve, and UCSD. Despite being a "flatlander," Rainman easily conquered the 9-percent Torrey Pines grade on my PKN-10. (Torrey Pines has become a frequent stress ritual for the Capo and the Bianchi.) We parted at the trailhead of the Rose Canyon bikeway, so that he could continue south to his hotel, while I turned the Capo around to head for home before dark. I was delighted to ride with a fellow Bikeforums member, and I am sure Rainman will have more cycling adventures to post before he returns the Peugeot to me near the end of the week.

Torrey Pines is a great way to initiate one to riding in San Diego.