Bike Forums - Summer Solstice Super Commute-6/22/12

Hi. I have a long commute that I do by commuter rail and bike. Some Fridays I like to extend the afternoon ride by going to train stations further down the line. I usually catch the Metrolink train at the Tustin station, about five miles from work with time to spare. The next station down the line is Irvine; at 9 miles I usually make it if I don't waste time. The next train after that is an hour later. That's fine, since that gives me plenty of time to go further down the line.

I am now planning to ride 55 miles, all the way, to the station where I park my car and catch the train at 5:15 A.M. I have chosen Friday 6/22, as it is near the Solstice so I will have maximum daylight. Toward the end of the ride I will be going through a portion of Camp Pendleton Marine Base. Civilians on bikes are allowed on base, since the alternate is the I-5 freeway shoulder. Two restrictions are that you must have a photo ID, and you must be off base by sundown. The first is not a problem, the second is the reason for doing this on the Solstice.

Did a twenty mile ride yesterday to scout a portion of the route that one of my fellow train/bikers told me about.

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1290623

This cut about two miles and about 500' of climbing from the route I had previously used to get to this point.

This is the full route that I hope to do in four hours. Leaving work at 3:15 PM, I should be getting to my car by 7:15. I doubt I will be later than 8:00, barring flats, and a brutal headwind like the one that hit me yesterday. My usual commuter is a Trek 7.2FX that is kept at a locker in Tustin. This day I will put my Masi Road bike on the train in the morning.

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1294085

A year ago January I would be totally spent when I did the five mile portion twice a week. This will be my fourth 50+ mile ride.