I decided to expand the loop up Del Dios Highway around Lake Hodges. After crossing the bottom of the lake on the foot bridge, I crossed the street and took Pomerado Road the other direction into Rancho Bernardo. It actually didn’t add much distance and it may even have reduced the amount of climbing I had to do. I wasn’t exactly sure how to get over to the 56 bike trail from there, but I think I could have just stayed on that road all the way until it hit I-15. I’ll have to try that someday. Of course, I still hit a bunch of red lights in Rancho Bernardo. I swear the lights in that town hate me.

I didn’t push too hard and there wasn’t much wind until I headed down the 56 bike trail. I had hoped there would be wind to push me up the Del Dios climbs, but it was calm through the whole canyon.

I nearly hit a squirrel that darted out in front of me on the way home. I wondered if I had clipped his tail or not. It was a miracle I didn’t squish him and possibly send myself flying over my handlebars again. As I was thinking about how lucky it was that I didn’t hit him, ANOTHER squirrel darted out in front of me and I almost hit that one too. I don’t know what they were thinking, but I’m glad we all survived.