The 2016 Cycling Year was off to a fast start for those of us who attended the Oceanside Hub and Spoke on January 10th. Holly and Ken presented each of us with a comprehensive package of information on Oceanside, our rides for each day and all of the transit options at our kickoff meeting in the banquet room of the Holiday Inn in Oceanside. The Holiday Inn Rooftop would be our regular post-ride meet up location for the week. Monday saw us visiting San Marcos, after a short ride on the Sprinter Light Rail system from Oceanside. From the train station at Palomar College we cycled through the countryside to the Lawrence Welk Resort for a break, then on to lunch and San Luis Rey River Trail (and for the adventuresome ones, a hill climb with some great views). After lunch we visited the San Luis Rey Mission (largest building in the state of California when it became a state). From there home to Oceanside on the trail, completing our 68 km ride.

Tuesday saw us ride down the coast from Oceanside to San Diego, returning on the Coaster train to Oceanside. We had an interesting ride on some of the side streets paralleling the Pacific Coast Highway. Some of the group left the ride in Solana Beach, to avoid the long hill climb near Torrey Pines. A lovely day with large waves along the ocean – the lifeguards were telling the rookie surfers to get out of the water. A 73 km ride for those who went the full distance.

Wednesday led us north of Oceanside, through Camp Pendleton through San Clemente for a coffee stop and on to San Juan Capistrano for lunch (after a lovely ride along the water and a river trail). From here some of the group rode back, some took the train (this time a Metrolink train back to Oceanside). On the return trip a number of the faster cyclists racing some of the tanks practicing at Camp Pendleton. Reports are that the cyclists had a narrow win… A good 96 km ride for those who rode the full distance, half that for those who took the train. More great weather (even though it was pointed out when we left in the morning it was actually warmer in Victoria!)

Thursday had us back inland, taking the Sprinter train to the end of the line at Escondido, with some of us cycling the inland rail trail. Another great ride, this time through Rancho Santa Fe (lovely coffee stop in a village on route). Lunch stop was at a mall. This was followed by our return to Oceanside through Carlsbad.

Friday had us on the Coaster train in to San Diego to the Santa Fe Depot Station. From here we rode the Bayshore Bikeway to Coronado Island, with a coffee break just before the Island. Dianne had her bottom bracket seize about 2 km from the island, leading to an interesting arrangement with Bob pushing Brian all the way to the island. The rest of the group went on to the historic Hotel Del Coronado. Everyone made the return trip on the Coaster from the Santa Fe Depot Station after a short ferry ride. Bob, Brenda, Brian and Dianne hosted a wrap-up get-together at their place on the end of the Strand in Oceanside, with a fire pit overlooking the ocean steps away. A big thanks to Brenda for her soup! Total trip was around 44 km.

Saturday was our last big ride, taking the train from Oceanside to Irvine. From here we rode over the Laguna Hills towards Dana Point. Some of the women decided to take the train back from San Clemente (which led to an interesting race with the train, with the cyclists winning by 10 minutes). The rest of the group had a very pleasant ride through the rolling hills around San Clemente and down through Camp Pendleton to Oceanside. Total ride for the day was 74 km.

Final wrap-up pizza party was held on the rooftop at the Holiday Inn on Saturday night. A great end to a great week. For those who were keen, Ken and Holly provided an additional ride for the Sunday.

The Oceanside Hub and Spoke was a huge success. In spite of some minor bike issues everyone had a great week in Oceanside. Holly and Ken were phenomenally well organized for the group – everyone appreciated the work they had put into their varied rides accommodating the full range of cycling enthusiasm in the group. The trains allowed us to expand to a great number of rides in varied locations.

Ken and Holly were very good at adapting to changes in their group. The numerous bike trails and bike lanes throughout our rides also helped make it a wonderful experience. Those who attended this event will be very happy to go back for another escape from Winter. A great time enjoyed by all.

Brian Collier