For the last Saturday of the month, we decided to take a little cruise around La Jolla through Pacific Beach.  One group looking for a few extra miles headed down through Mission Bay to Old Town, while the other group headed back north to Encinitas from the Mission Bay area.  Both groups ended up with fairly similar miles. Perhaps my map through Pacific Beach needs some improvement!

Heading south on Cass through Pacific Beach

When we first took off from Nytro, the “longer” group had a pretty sizable contingent.  After Torrey Pines and prior to Old Town, we had several individuals and small groups peel off to make it a shorter day or explore other areas in La Jolla.  We were happy to have them along for the ride for the first climb of the day, the Torrey Pines climb.  If our personal photographer Jill was along for the trip, she surely would’ve snapped a photo of the larger group but alas, I do not usually think of such things.

With Torrey Pines out of the way, we quickly came to the part of the trip that’s pure enjoyment – descending La Jolla Shores with its incomparable views, winding along La Jolla Cove and waving hello to the sea lions, meandering through Bird Rock and window shopping for dream homes, and then enjoying the energy through Pacific Beach and Mission Bay.  Maybe it’s just me, but if I’m going on a longer ride, I’d pick south any day with its sights and sounds and things to look at over the drudgery of Camp Pendleton.

C group along the coast. Kim, Kay, Suzanne, Gina, Sarah, and Carolyn. Teresa was kind enough to take the photo.

Beautiful day for a ride – doesn’t get much better than this!

Brielle, Heather B, Lauren and Tina at La Jolla Cove. I always have to say hello to the sea lions.

We reached our destination in Old Town somewhere between 10 and 11am.  My original thought was that perhaps we might want to engage in a little “adult” trick-or-treating, say, grab a margarita before returning.  However, that seemed a little on the early side for such indulgences, so we headed into the Old Town State Park in search of the candy store where my husband purchased me a gigantic truffle the last time I rode down this way.

We dismounted when we entered the main part of the park, only to be told, perhaps a half dozen times by a woman in pioneer costume that we could under no circumstances ride our bikes through the park.  As we stood there, unclipped and standing next to our bikes, we weren’t quite sure how to convince her we were not intending to ride them.  There was a moment there where we thought it might get ugly and she’d use her parasol on us, but eventually she wandered off.  She was a very zealous volunteer, no doubt.  We did not dare get on our bicycles until we left the confines of the park!

However, before leaving, I did find what I was seeking, and I believe I was the only one to indulge in the oversized $4 black forest truffle.

Doris and Stan in Old Town

Heather B looking extremely satisfied with her truffle (and perhaps a little on the shiny side)

While it seems strange to say this while I am shivering in my office from the cold of the last few days, Saturday was certainly on the hot side.  Bottles started to run low, and around the time we finished our ascent of Gilman (Stan and I may or may not have raced another group ride to the top…), a water stop was a necessity.  As we wound around through the UCSD campus and back out to Torrey Pines Road, Heather K remembered one of our favorite post-ride stops near the Gliderport – the Bella Vista Cafe.  The very friendly staff there allowed everyone to refill with ice water, and we were on our way back to Nytro.

Chin, Tina, Dena, Lauren, Bryon, Heather K, Heather B, Brielle, Stan, and Doris at Bella Vista Cafe. Julie was kind enough to take the picture.

Ending around 50 miles, it was enjoyable day on the bike with great company!  Hopefully we will get to do that ride again for an adventure ride or wild card ride – and perhaps someone else will indulge in the $4 truffle with me!  Or on the other hand, we could maybe leave a little later… or decide that 11 am isn’t too early for margaritas??

A great tour thru La Jolla coastal neighborhood, and the Old Town candy store! – Chin

Join us next week when we do the traditional Swami’s Saturday Route.  RSVP on Meetup.