Favorite San Diego Rides?

[paczki]

We're going to San Diego/La Jolla for a week in mid-February. Any favorite rides from you San Diegans? Last time we rode up the coast to Oceanside, and in Borrego. This time I definitely want to ride up Los Gatos. Any other suggestions?

[Ken Robb]

the only Los Gatos I know is a town near Palo Alto. I like to ride up Catalina Blvd to the end of Point Loma. It goes through Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery to the National Monument with the 1853 lighthouse and mini museum on SD history. You will be able to watch the grey whales migrating just below, see all the way to the mountains east and mexican islands south plus all of SD skyline, Coronado, SD Bay and Navy ships. On your way back ride down to the tide pools on the ocean side and explore them to see crabs, anemones, etc. Ride down Canon St. to corner Rosecrans St. and eat some baked goodies, bread, sandwiches, drink coffee at Con Pane on the corner.

You can call me for consultations on all things local, inns, restaurants, etc. Ken

[ButtedMoron]

how long?
from La Jolla again?
the SDBC saturday ride through Rancho Santa Fe is a great loop. About 55-60 miles. Rancho Santa Fe is lovely. If you want to extend it you can then go out Elfin Forest Road/Harmony Grove and then head back to the coast and home

also the Bonsall/Valley Center riding is great if you want more climbing

if you really want climbing. do Pauma Valley and Climb Palomar

[paczki]

Thanks! We'll be there from 2/13-2/21 or so.

By Los Gatos I meant this ride described in Pez:

http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=fullstory&id=6674

[Ken Robb]

I still never heard of that climb because, now that I've read that article, I think it is really in Orange County and maybe Riverside County. Still less than an hour drive to get there so you can keep it on your list. :)
Where are you going to stay?

[paczki]

I still never heard of that climb because, now that I've read that article, I think it is really in Orange County.
Where are you going to stay?

:banana:

I think we'll stay in La Jolla. We're looking for a weekly rental. Last time we stayed right near Windansea, and ideally we'd want to stay there again. We thought about also spending a day or two in Julian, but we fear it will be too cold over there to reap the benefits of not being in Boston!

[Ken Robb]

Les and I love Orchard Hill B+B in Julian. See their website for pix, etc. You are right about the weather though. It is 5,000 feet and you could have snow. The Residence in on Gilman Drive has lots of units w/kitchens and it's right on the main bike path in town running north-south. Short walk to Rock Bottom Brewery, El Torito, California Pizza Kitchen, Islands, BJ's Itallian, Rubio's, and several other casual dining spots. or fine dining you have to travel a mile or so.

[mso]

Los Gatos is in the DeLuz area which you can access via Fallbrook which is North SD County . In fact Fallbrook is the northern most city inland off Hwy 15 or the 76. Los Gatos is a short very steep climb off DeLuz road that then will connect you to Tenaja in Riverside county. Great riding in the area. It's rural avacado orchards nice horse property. Be aware of nasty wet road crossings on DeLuz. Locals dismount and walk. You can aviod these by taking lots of different roads. A great loop is Fallbrook/DeLuz/Rancho Cal to Rainbow taking Rice and Couser Canyons back to Fallbrook. Rural hilly riding at it's best:-). Get a map to Northern SD/Temecula and check it out.

[onekgguy]

I was stationed in SD when I was in the Navy in the mid '70s. It's where I fell in love with cycling. I wrote in my blog about it here (http://onekgguy.blogspot.com/2007/04/30-year-love-affair.html) . My favorite ride took me out E street past Bonita where I picked up Otay Lakes road. I'd take that east to 94 and head toward the town of Dulzura. It was always such a beautiful ride. I'd like to think it's still a nice ride but my guess is it's been built up quite a bit since then.

Maybe those of you who ride this can fill me in about how it's changed over the years. Is Brown Field still there? Any photos from the road would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Kevin g

[Ken Robb]

it's still a great ride once you get past the olympic training center. :)

[coopdog]

I'm headed out there Feb 18. How do you plan to get your bike there?

[Ken Robb]

If you don't want to take your bike on your flight California Bicycles on La Jolla Blvd. is a wonderful shop with 2 excellent techs. They ship/receive bikes for riders/racers.

OTOH, you can ship your bike(s) to my home and use my stand and tools if that helps.

[onekgguy]

it's still a great ride once you get past the olympic training center. :)

I just got on Google Maps (street view) and did some of the old route again. It's much the way I remember it. It's also whet my appetite to plan a few days trip out there and relive some of my youth. I'd love to do some of those rides again. Some of the best cycling I've ever done.

Kevin g

[Ken Robb]

yep, that ride hasn't changed too much since 1970 for a fact.

[paczki]

Post the ride on Bikely! I'll ride it when I get there.

I'm bringing my Igleheart Breakaway, but thanks for the shipping address.

Can't wait, 10 degrees in Boston today.

[paczki]

Los Gatos is in the DeLuz area which you can access via Fallbrook which is North SD County . In fact Fallbrook is the northern most city inland off Hwy 15 or the 76. Los Gatos is a short very steep climb off DeLuz road that then will connect you to Tenaja in Riverside county. Great riding in the area. It's rural avacado orchards nice horse property. Be aware of nasty wet road crossings on DeLuz. Locals dismount and walk. You can aviod these by taking lots of different roads. A great loop is Fallbrook/DeLuz/Rancho Cal to Rainbow taking Rice and Couser Canyons back to Fallbrook. Rural hilly riding at it's best:-). Get a map to Northern SD/Temecula and check it out.


Thanks. I'll definitely do that route, I found a few variations on Bikely.

[Dan Le foot]

Here is a link to over 450 rides including directions and elevation in San Diego County put together by the ride leader of the North County Cycling Club.
Dan
http://www.fullcommitment.com/Nav.aspx/Page=/PageManager/Default.aspx/PageID=459665&NF=1

[onekgguy]

This thread inspired a blog post (http://onekgguy.blogspot.com/2009/01/remembering-and-reminiscing.html) for me. Thanks, paczki.

Kevin g

[Ken Robb]

who's the chick with the Maverick? :)

[onekgguy]

who's the chick with the Maverick? :)

A skinny chick at that!

Kevin g

[paczki]

This thread inspired a blog post (http://onekgguy.blogspot.com/2009/01/remembering-and-reminiscing.html) for me. Thanks, paczki.

Kevin g

Great blog. I'm glad this thread turned in such a great and unanticipated direction!

[Ti Designs]

Can't wait, 10 degrees in Boston today.


It's up to 14, and the new coating of snow makes it look there there aren't any potholes. Plus it's going to rain later, then freeze solid. How can you pass that up?

[paczki]

It looks like a lot of the rides are inland. Would we regret making our home base Valley Center? There's a nice rental there.

[paczki]

It's up to 14, and the new coating of snow makes it look there there aren't any potholes. Plus it's going to rain later, then freeze solid. How can you pass that up?

I could disappear into a pothole with my bike, hibernate, and come out for Spring.

[mso]

I would recommend staying west of Valley Center. Many of the routes that the NCCC do are west of VC plus you could still do the eastern rides and have access to the coast. Escondido, Fallbrook, San Marcos are some good choices. Might even throw in Rancho Bernardo a little further south. Just kind of depends what other activities and accomodations you're looking for. Try to be in town on Feb 22nd. TOC starts in RB heads east on many of the roads on the ride slips from NCCC. You can even do the route but recommend doing it on a weekend as Wolford has some crazy drivers on it...the indian casino crowd :bike:

[Ken Robb]

It looks like a lot of the rides are inland. Would we regret making our home base Valley Center? There's a nice rental there.

Valley Center makes Escondido look like a jumpin' place. If others in your group want to do things other than bike they will not be happy in VC.

Some of the inland/mtn. rides could have snow in February so you'd best have a back-up plan for rides near the coast. Of course it's supposed to be in the mid 70s at the beach today and 80+ inland. :)

[Ti Designs]

I could disappear into a pothole with my bike, hibernate, and come out for Spring.

Not any more, they raised the taxes on living in potholes to help fund the state budget.