June 30, 2024
This entry was written a year and a half ago but I never got the chance to post it. Shortly after the trip I got my first case of COVID and post COVID issues have given me a fair amount of grief, coupled with life getting crazy busy. Therefore I have not had the time to write.

October 2022

Earlier this fall, I got the opportunity to travel to San Diego to go to a work related conference. A long time ago, in a time long forgotten, I decided to stop traveling for work for a various reasons. The last time I asked to travel, the higher ups treated me like crap over the request, not to mention that the travel reimbursement process is a diabolical nightmare with New York State.

Additionally, for a while I was dealing with my father’s failing health, and then subsequent death, so work travel was not something I felt I could easily work into my personal life.

In early September, I caught a notice that JNUC (Jamf User Nation Conference) was being held in late September in San Diego, California. I was joking with my boss about how the higher ups would not approve, especially on such a short notice. My boss replied that things had changed and I should put in the request.

And so I did. And to my surprise the request was accepted. Suddenly, I had to scramble to get my flights and hotel sorted out. It was too late to book the conference hotel, so I ended up getting a Comfort Inn in downtown San Diego, a fifteen minute walk to the event. I booked flights on Delta out of John F Kennedy International Airport.

Because I was going to San Diego, I absolutely had to get some riding in. I went back and forth debating if I should bring my bike or rent one. The high rental prices helped me choose to fly my trusty Roubaix with me especially since Delta had recently lowered their bike fees.

I ended up renting the Orucase The Airport Ninja Bike Travel Case from my friend Paul for a small fee. I was eager to test this case out and this would provide me with the perfect opportunity. The things that I like about this case is that it would allow me to pack my bike down to the size of a regular check in. This is accomplished by pulling most of the bike apart.

Since I built my bike, I was up for the challenge. Also the Ninja Case features straps to carry it like a back pack. This would be handy since I was going to be public transporting myself to and from the airports.

A few days before leaving I tore down my bike and worked on figuring out how to pack it. Being a small case, understanding how to get the bike in there can be a bit of a challenge. Paul provided some pipe insulation to further protect the frame, and I had some too to add in a couple of spots. I also picked up the Park Tool ATD-1.2 Torque Driver to bring with me. Since many of the bike components are carbon, I needed a small portable torque wrench to reassemble the bike.

I finally managed to figure out how to pack the bike. One thing that made it easy was the fact that I have wireless SRAM eTap 11 speed shifters and derailleurs and external brake routing. This allowed me to really pull everything off the frame so I could better fit everything into the bag.

Even though I was going on a business trip, my suitcase appeared to be mostly cycling clothes.

The night before travel, Amy stayed the night with me so she could gave me a ride to JFK Airport super early in the morning. Getting through all the airport rigmarole was not too hard, and before I knew it I landed in San Jose.

From the Airport I took the bus to downtown and it was a five minute walk to the hotel from the bus stop. The folks in the hotel were able to get me into my room right away. I was relieved since this allowed me to stash my bike, suitcase, and backpack enabling me to go grab a much needed lunch.

With a fuller stomach, I took the fifteen minute walk over to the conference center to sign in and get my registration packet all sorted out.

Back in my hotel it was now mid afternoon and I wanted to get my bike assembled. I took my time putting it together. It was a bit trickier due to the lack of a repair stand, but I managed.

My small hand pump was not up to the task to get my tires to 100 psi, but I had done my research and knew of a bike shop just two blocks from the hotel. I set out for the shop and asked if I could use a floor pump. With my tires properly aired up, I decided on a short-ish ride since I was unfamiliar with the area.

I rode out north on Pacific Highway, cruising past the Airport. In some places the roads felt a little sketchy but I encountered others who assured me it was all good.

Once I went past Interstate 8, Pacific Highway looped over Interstate 5 and at that point I turned off and headed west into Fiesta Island. I looped around most of the island enjoying the sun dropping towards the horizon, the views, and the sea breeze coming off the Pacific Ocean.

On the way back, I tried to avoid a tunnel section but ended up back where I started. Another cyclist caught up to me and said just go for it, through the tunnel. So I did. On Long Island I would have been killed by some miracle the cars respected my space, including a city bus. Riding back into the city, I got to high five a palm tree! It is always fun to ride and explore new places on a bicycle.

The next day, Tuesday, I spend most of the day doing conference things. I got to hook up with my good friend Dino who works as a Macintosh administrator for Disney and he is based in Milano, Italy. I had met him at a conference way back in 2012 and we have been friends ever since.

I got back to the hotel between four and five in the afternoon, and of course I had to sneak in another ride before dinner. I suited up, and with more confidence in the roads, I decided on extending the ride of the previous day.

Once again I rolled north on Pacific Highway. Just past interstate 8 I looped onto the bike path to take me west along said interstate. I used a bridge to progress on my northern journey to get over a body of water on Sea World Drive. I had to give my New York “Faaa*k Youuuuu!!” to a lady cyclist who got annoyed at my abundance of caution when merging onto the bridge.

Over the bridge I jumped on Quiver Way which brought me to W Mission Bay Drive. I kept going west until I reached Mission Beach. I did not have a whole lot of time to dwell since the sun was dropping quickly, but I was determined to put my feet in the Pacific before leaving San Diego. I rode north on the boardwalk/bike path. It was utterly full of people so I had to keep it at around 10 miles per hour. I did not mind as I was enjoying the atmosphere and the goings on.

At Grand Avenue I turned East. It was really starting to get dark, and I was not comfortable riding in the dark in an unfamiliar place. Since I had brought them, I powered on all my bike lights. Grand Avenue brought me back to where I had ridden the day before at Fiesta Island, and here I was bit more familiar with the roads. Back at the hotel a quick shower was in order before hitting up a Thai restaurant, which turned out to be delicious. Here I discovered garlic pepper Edamame. Just!! Wow!!!

Unfortunately on Wednesday I would not be able to ride. JNUC had scheduled their after party, and I did not want to miss it. They had booked the aircraft carrier museum Midway as the location of the party. I hung out with some people, had some food, and chuckled at the Top Gun cover band. Heck the party even featured a Tom Cruise look-alike whom you could take pictures with. He was also short!!

Thursday was my last day at the conference. The panels I was interested in ended early so I would be able to get a nice long afternoon ride in because I was not scheduled to leave San Diego until the next day. I was going to retrace my route I had done the on Tuesday, but extend it up into La Jolla. I stopped at Mission Beach, walked to the water, took my shoes off and dipped my legs in the Pacific fulfilling my promise. Even after a full summer I was surprised how cold the water felt.

I made my way up to the north tip of La Jolla, On the way seeing Lamborghini’s parched in driveways. Definitely out of my price range by a few zeros. On the way back I turned east on Nautilus Street so I could enjoy a long hard climb. I was not in any sort of climbing shape and this climb took some effort to complete.

At the top I did not bomb down there descent as fast as I could, because I was not trusting the cars, the roads, and such. But it was still fun to cruise down and out of the hilly area. This looped me back to Fiesta Island again, and back to downtown San Diego.

Back in my room, before my shower and dinner, I took the bike apart and packed it back up in the case. I really enjoyed the Thai place from Tuesday, and since it was located only a few blocks from the hotel, I decided to go back and have seconds.

On Friday morning I made my way back to the airport via bus. I had received an AirTag at the conference and I decided to stuff it in with my bike so I could track it around the airport. The trip home was uneventful, closing out a fun trip with some good insights at the conference and some spectacular riding.