Sunday September 6, 2009 Training Ride

Random cycling photo by Ken Conley

A great day on the QMDC ride with the merged Groups 1 and 2.  After a quick decision by Adam to ride with the faster group, we took off from Fletcher Cove on the "reverse" Elfin Forest loop.  The ride goes east through Rancho Santa Fe from Via de la Valle, up Del Dios to Escondido, then back to the coast through Elfin Forest and La Costa.  We hammered through Elfin Forest which was a lot of fun.  One of the great things about riding in a group is that you're able to use more of the road as there is saftey in numbers.  Harmony Grove and Elfin Forest has some rollers but it's mostly a decsending road all the way to the coast on La Costa Ave.  There wasn't a lot of traffic either as we were out on the road early on a holiday weekend.  Happy Labor day everyone!

After the ride, I hung out at the Fletcher Cove parking lot, talking to other riders.  I got to catch up a little with my fellow radio contestants.  I dropped off a couple of H2O Audio waterproof IPod cases and earbuds as contributions for Adam's and Joy's fund raising events. Joy has her Brew Bash coming up on Friday, September 25.  Adam has his Poker Run the next day.  They both sound like a lot of fun and I'm happy to contribute to their success.

While we were talking I noticed that Bob Babbit and Rudy Garcia-Tolson walked up and were chatting with some riders.  I introduced myself and got to talk to Rudy a little bit.  Rudy and Bob were getting ready to go down to the cove for a swim workout.  Rudy is training for the Ironman World Championships in Kona in just 4 weeks time.  Rudy is training to become the first bilateral, above the knee amputee to complete the race.  Rudy is an amazing athlete and a very humble guy too.  Please read about his training at www.challengedathletes.org/athletes_stories/Rudy_Garcia.htm#rudyblog.