Rental/Riding Recs in San Diego

[bmeryman]

Hi folks,

I'll be heading out to San Diego next week to visit and stay with in laws for a couple weeks. I was thinking of bringing my bike to ride a little while I'm out there, but traveling with two little kids and a bike doesn't sound that appealing and I'm not sure how frequently I'll be able to ride while we're there so now I'm considering rental.

Is there a recommended shop to rent a bike for a day or two? I'd maybe like to try to ride 3-4 times while we're out there.

Separate question: any recommended routes to enjoy?

Thanks!
Brendan

[joeminglin]

I've rented from UC Cyclery in La Jolla a few years ago.

The SDBC has a few routes under their rides section. https://www.sdbc.org/. Palomar is a must if u have time. https://ridewithgps.com/ambassador_r...n-quatro-climb

https://forums.thepaceline.net/showt...=301371&page=2

[fourflys]

San Diego has some of the best riding I've even seen.. if you just want a beautiful, chill ride, ride up the coast to Oceanside and back.. I usually left from Del Mar, but, depending on where you are, there are other options..

as far as a rental, why don't you post your normal size and maybe someone will have an extra bike they would be willing to lend.. I know I have a bike or two I'd happily lend a Paceliner if the came to Sonoma County..

have fun, I miss riding there!

[Bob Ross]

Originally Posted by fourflys

San Diego has some of the best riding I've even seen.

Really?!?! Where were you when I started this thread last year?

I literally came into this thread to re-post my conclusions after that 2023 cycling trip to San Diego:

Between the crap pavement and the incessant traffic lights every ~2/10ths of a mile, it was quite possibly some of the worst cycling the missus and I have ever encountered on a vacation.

[fourflys]

Originally Posted by Bob Ross

Really?!?! Where were you when I started this thread last year?

I literally came into this thread to re-post my conclusions after that 2023 cycling trip to San Diego:

sorry I missed that..

my riding impressions are mostly from North County, but I did commute to downtown (by the airport) and did a couple rides out in the Chula Vista area (the Olympic Center is cool to visit).. of course, getting in downtown SD is going to be traffic and lights.. and there are a few lights on Hwy 1 along the beach, but they aren't bad.. having lived in just about every part of the country other than the NE (visited Boston, Portland ME, and Newport RI), Florida (been there on vacation a lot as a kid and adult), or HI (spent a week in Hono a few years back, not roads I'd want to ride on mostly), I will hands down say that San Diego is the best place I've lived/ridden with Sonoma County being a close second.. both are just way too expensive to fully retire in..

[Gummee]

Originally Posted by fourflys

sorry I missed that..

my riding impressions are mostly from North County, but I did commute to downtown (by the airport) and did a couple rides out in the Chula Vista area (the Olympic Center is cool to visit).. of course, getting in downtown SD is going to be traffic and lights.. and there are a few lights on Hwy 1 along the beach, but they aren't bad.. having lived in just about every part of the country other than the NE (visited Boston, Portland ME, and Newport RI), Florida (been there on vacation a lot as a kid and adult), or HI (spent a week in Hono a few years back, not roads I'd want to ride on mostly), I will hands down say that San Diego is the best place I've lived/ridden with Sonoma County being a close second.. both are just way too expensive to fully retire in..

If you're around downtown and up to say Mission Valley, the riding isn't all that much to talk about. East of Chula Juana and noth to Ramona, there isn't much traffic on a weekday.

East of the 5 and out to the 15 has a couple fun loops, but you're always in suburbia. I used to ride from College and the 78 (home) to the Boulevard RR course and back. I'd tow a buddy that was 130ish soaking wet to the bottom the hill then watch him ride away from me. Also used to ride from home to Escondido, back via the Elfin Forest (?Sunset?), then back up the coast to home. Fun downhill!

Rarely climbed up on the road north of Lake Hodges (once maybe?!) that the BWR uses these days.

Gravel wasn't a thing when I was there.

M

[joeminglin]

Get a Julian's pie if u do Palomar and driving from the south. :-p

[mass_biker]

I did a ride once when I was younger/braver - think it started in RB, up Highland Valley and then up to Ramona - then left at Santa Ysabel to head northwest-ish a bit then northeast towards the turnoff for S2/San Felipe Road. Then southeast on S2/San Felipe Road to meet up with the Banner Grade then up Banner Grade through Banner and down into Julian. Then back down to Ramona etc.

The stretch on S2/San Felipe was desolate. I was questioning my choices! Then scrambling for water in Banner realizing I had to get back up and over into Julian was somewhat anxiety-making. It all worked out though. A slice of pie in Julian didn’t hurt either.

But don’t think I’ll do that again solo (or with a 39/25 low gear).

Other jaunts in/around Laguna Mountain were epic too.

But these days I get my kicks in/around Rancho Santa Fe/Twin Peaks/San Elijo Hills/Lake Wohlford/Palomar when I visit. So much great riding.

MB

[joeminglin]

Originally Posted by mass_biker

I did a ride once when I was younger/braver - think it started in RB, up Highland Valley and then up to Ramona - then left at Santa Ysabel to head northwest-ish a bit then northeast towards the turnoff for S2/San Felipe Road. Then southeast on S2/San Felipe Road to meet up with the Banner Grade then up Banner Grade through Banner and down into Julian. Then back down to Ramona etc.

The stretch on S2/San Felipe was desolate. I was questioning my choices! Then scrambling for water in Banner realizing I had to get back up and over into Julian was somewhat anxiety-making. It all worked out though. A slice of pie in Julian didn’t hurt either.

But don’t think I’ll do that again solo (or with a 39/25 low gear).

Other jaunts in/around Laguna Mountain were epic too.

But these days I get my kicks in/around Rancho Santa Fe/Twin Peaks/San Elijo Hills/Lake Wohlford/Palomar when I visit. So much great riding.

MB

Do u have a route u can share? I'm in SD 2-3x a year and always looking for new roads.

[woodworker]

Originally Posted by joeminglin

Do u have a route u can share? I'm in SD 2-3x a year and always looking for new roads.

What are you looking for--duration and how much climbing?

[joeminglin]

Originally Posted by woodworker

What are you looking for--duration and how much climbing?

Typically duration. I try to ride 4-5 hrs without stopping, 2 bottles and pocket food. I did east grade palomar to the observatory and lookout last week, 45 miles, 5.6k ft in about 3.75hrs. The plan was to do the south grade as well (60mi/8k ft total) but I didn't have the time.

[woodworker]

Originally Posted by joeminglin

Typically duration. I try to ride 4-5 hrs without stopping, 2 bottles and pocket food. I did east grade palomar to the observatory and lookout last week, 45 miles, 5.6k ft in about 3.75hrs. The plan was to do the south grade as well (60mi/8k ft total) but I didn't have the time.

Just did Kitchen Creek last week. It's really pretty and there are different loops. Here's a link: https://swamis.org/events/event/hill...kitchen-creek/

This ride up in Fallbrook is nice: https://swamis.org/events/event/swam...ning-ride-4-2/

Both are longish with a fair amount of climbing.

And here's another one: https://swamis.org/events/event/mont...-b-c-d-groups/

Just throwing these out there in case one appeals to you.

[Gummee]

Originally Posted by joeminglin

Do u have a route u can share? I'm in SD 2-3x a year and always looking for new roads.

From 20 years ago? I broke out maps and went for it

M

[joeminglin]

Originally Posted by Gummee

From 20 years ago? I broke out maps and went for it

M

Haha...nice. I'll look foe a route.

[deluz]

I have lived in San Diego all of my 67 years and the riding is as good as anywhere. But you have go to the backcountry if you want scenic challenging rides. Palomar is raw climbing and can be a bit boring.
Here is a suggestion that has some of best roads in the country.
Some are steep and remote if that is what you like.
You could easily get lost and there may be no cell coverage.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45081867

This is the ideal time of year to do this as it gets too hot in the summer.
Like others have said you can do the coast to Oceanside.
Very popular route lots of traffic lights but you are next to the ocean.
I live on the coast and find it somewhat boring.
Have fun.