stompandgo
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
Very nice pics, Jeremy. Our coasts are so different, yet so similar in many ways.
Show us pictures of where you ride your ebikes!
DaveMatthews
Dave's not here. Cheating since 2018
- Region
- Canada
San Mateo/Redwood City
Jeremy McCreary
Bought it anyway
- Region
- USA
- City
- Carlsbad, CA
Oceanside bike staycation, Day 2 of 4
(First day report here.)
Woke to a very low tide on Day 2. Below our window, a lone sand artist traced out a large figure next to the pier with nothing more than a grass rake (both ends) and a vision in mind.
It was safe from the waves then, but the incoming tide was already lapping away at it when we biked onto the pier an hour later.
Another sand artist at work by the pier on Day 4. Interesting that someone would put all that time and talent into an artwork that would not only vanish forever in a matter of hours, but one that was already succumbing to the waves.
The USS Harpers Ferry and its barely visible retinue of small attack boats were still at their drills offshore. With binocs, some looked like mini-subs.
Next came the day's main attraction — an out-and-back on Oceanside's San Luis Rey River bike path — a 9-mile rail trail of smooth, flattish pavement with no cars and few pedestrians.
Turns out the trail even has its own logo. This would be K's longest bike ride ever, but she was really looking forward to it thanks to the Breeze.
In fact, she set a brisk 16 mph pace the whole way, stopping only at the turnaround. For me, that meant a nice little workout with the SL in OFF on the way out. To get the same workout on the way back, had to bump to ECO to counter the building sea breeze coming upriver.
After the river, we poked around town a bit and then headed to the "Top Gun House" made famous by the movie of the same name. Built for the movie, it's now a pastry shop.
On neighbors' advice, we tried the strawberry-rhubarb hand pies. Thought for sure they'd be touristy junk, but boy, was I wrong! Went back for more on Day 4.
Would've felt quite differently at one time in my life, but at this stage, my SL's way cooler than the exact replica of Maverick's Kawasaki KZ900 planted outside. As we ate our pies, I watched the pedestrians passing by to see who would sit on it. Result: Males more than females by over 30 to 1, all ages.
K then went back to the room while I put in another 3 miles going up and down on the odd beachfront road/MUP combo known as The Strand. Always busy, always chaotic, always an interesting mile along the beach.
Along the way, finally noticed a painted rock garden I'd somehow missed on many previous Strand rides. I've run across several of these in O'side now. They fit right in with its fading hippie vibe.
Back at the hotel, heard a speeding COASTER commuter train blare and rumble and clack through downtown and hurried to a 5th floor walkway to watch. Never got over my childhood love of trains, so fine by me that surrounding buildings amplified the sound — especially late at night, when the big freights come through.
Spent a good bit of the afternoon and evening on the balcony with our good binocs. The dog seemed as fascinated by the ever-changing scene as we were.
(First day report here.)
Woke to a very low tide on Day 2. Below our window, a lone sand artist traced out a large figure next to the pier with nothing more than a grass rake (both ends) and a vision in mind.
It was safe from the waves then, but the incoming tide was already lapping away at it when we biked onto the pier an hour later.
Another sand artist at work by the pier on Day 4. Interesting that someone would put all that time and talent into an artwork that would not only vanish forever in a matter of hours, but one that was already succumbing to the waves.
The USS Harpers Ferry and its barely visible retinue of small attack boats were still at their drills offshore. With binocs, some looked like mini-subs.
Next came the day's main attraction — an out-and-back on Oceanside's San Luis Rey River bike path — a 9-mile rail trail of smooth, flattish pavement with no cars and few pedestrians.
Turns out the trail even has its own logo. This would be K's longest bike ride ever, but she was really looking forward to it thanks to the Breeze.
In fact, she set a brisk 16 mph pace the whole way, stopping only at the turnaround. For me, that meant a nice little workout with the SL in OFF on the way out. To get the same workout on the way back, had to bump to ECO to counter the building sea breeze coming upriver.
After the river, we poked around town a bit and then headed to the "Top Gun House" made famous by the movie of the same name. Built for the movie, it's now a pastry shop.
On neighbors' advice, we tried the strawberry-rhubarb hand pies. Thought for sure they'd be touristy junk, but boy, was I wrong! Went back for more on Day 4.
Would've felt quite differently at one time in my life, but at this stage, my SL's way cooler than the exact replica of Maverick's Kawasaki KZ900 planted outside. As we ate our pies, I watched the pedestrians passing by to see who would sit on it. Result: Males more than females by over 30 to 1, all ages.
K then went back to the room while I put in another 3 miles going up and down on the odd beachfront road/MUP combo known as The Strand. Always busy, always chaotic, always an interesting mile along the beach.
Along the way, finally noticed a painted rock garden I'd somehow missed on many previous Strand rides. I've run across several of these in O'side now. They fit right in with its fading hippie vibe.
Back at the hotel, heard a speeding COASTER commuter train blare and rumble and clack through downtown and hurried to a 5th floor walkway to watch. Never got over my childhood love of trains, so fine by me that surrounding buildings amplified the sound — especially late at night, when the big freights come through.
Spent a good bit of the afternoon and evening on the balcony with our good binocs. The dog seemed as fascinated by the ever-changing scene as we were.
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Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
He rode helmetless, so shame on Tom Cruise
stompandgo
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
The ZX900 was a revolutionary bike in its day. A true hooligan machine. Your bike looks nice, though. The shop I work in sells Velotric, and they have a Breeze built up for test rides. It looks like a great entry level e-bike at a very competitive price. My wife has been grumbling about getting an e-bike for her, and that would be it.
Jeremy McCreary
Bought it anyway
- Region
- USA
- City
- Carlsbad, CA
Hoping to get in more Breeze saddle time while my Vado SL's in the shop. We'll see how my favorable early impressions hold up then.
But it's already a big win in one very important respect: Unlike her first ebike, it makes my wife WANT to ride. If that keeps up, it will have been worth every penny.
DaveMatthews
Dave's not here. Cheating since 2018
- Region
- Canada
And THAT is the killer app!
Jeremy McCreary
Bought it anyway
- Region
- USA
- City
- Carlsbad, CA
All you need to know about today's ride around Encinitas:
Key lime pie ice cream from...
...the Cali Cream creamery and bakery at B Street and the Coast Highway. I ask you, would the food gods have put places like this on Earth if they didn't want us eating ice cream and cheese Danishes?
As an added bonus, the ice cream matched our livery. Doesn't get much better than that, does it?
Oh, but it does! If ice cream weren't good for you, I'm sure Pacific Health wouldn't be sponsoring ice cream festivals.
Key lime pie ice cream from...
...the Cali Cream creamery and bakery at B Street and the Coast Highway. I ask you, would the food gods have put places like this on Earth if they didn't want us eating ice cream and cheese Danishes?
As an added bonus, the ice cream matched our livery. Doesn't get much better than that, does it?
Oh, but it does! If ice cream weren't good for you, I'm sure Pacific Health wouldn't be sponsoring ice cream festivals.
Last edited:
Jeremy McCreary
Bought it anyway
- Region
- USA
- City
- Carlsbad, CA
Wife dropped me at the LBS in Encinitas today to pick up my repaired Vado SL. It'd been out of commission for a week, and I was itchin' to ride. Decided to stretch the 5 mi ride home to 15 on as much dirt as possible.
Thought I'd try a new trail I'd been eyeing on the map. The first pitch was a steep and sandy climb to this spot. The next pitch was even steeper. Knew the SL and I could climb it but didn't trust the 38 mm hybrid tires to get me back down in one piece should the trail prove to be a dead end.
Before turning around, checked the view to the east, only to see wildfire smoke rising from the far side of Denk Mountain. OK, more hill than mountain, but the summit is Carlbad's highest point at 1,042 ft. Tried to climb it once, but the trails were way too steep and rocky for the SL.
Next objective was the string of sandy hardpack trails following Encinitas Creek down to Bataquitos Lagoon. This sign starts the La Costa Glen segment. Always a pleasant ride here.
Thought I'd try a new trail I'd been eyeing on the map. The first pitch was a steep and sandy climb to this spot. The next pitch was even steeper. Knew the SL and I could climb it but didn't trust the 38 mm hybrid tires to get me back down in one piece should the trail prove to be a dead end.
Before turning around, checked the view to the east, only to see wildfire smoke rising from the far side of Denk Mountain. OK, more hill than mountain, but the summit is Carlbad's highest point at 1,042 ft. Tried to climb it once, but the trails were way too steep and rocky for the SL.
Next objective was the string of sandy hardpack trails following Encinitas Creek down to Bataquitos Lagoon. This sign starts the La Costa Glen segment. Always a pleasant ride here.
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Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
And they say there are no sandy roads in the United States!
On contrary, this is what some desperate guys name "gravel" in Poland
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
yup I bought the exact bike after watching Topgun, wish I still had it.
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
I need to follow this thread, keep missing it
stompandgo
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
That hilltop view is beautiful, except for the fire, of course.
If you can ride trails like that with your SL, I need to try something similar with the Tesoro.
If you can ride trails like that with your SL, I need to try something similar with the Tesoro.
Jeremy McCreary
Bought it anyway
- Region
- USA
- City
- Carlsbad, CA
Well, only going up around here. All of our hardpack seems to come with at least a thin veneer of sand, and that limits the grades I'm willing to descend on current tires (below). Tom Pidcock I am not.
Not sure how many hills like that you have on Cape Cod, but I'm sure you've got sand everywhere, too
.
DaveMatthews
Dave's not here. Cheating since 2018
- Region
- Canada
Cool spot, and glad your steed is back! Yeah, I'd have thought twice about that steep trail with those tires as well. Wise decision.
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