Road Cycling - Biking in San Diego

The wife and I are thinking about taking a trip out to San Diego and planning on bringing out road bikes with us. Does any body know where I can look to find places to bike. We are actually staying in Oceanside, CA, which is about 30 minutes north of San Diego. So, anywhere in between the 2 cities is fine too.

Also, does anybody know how much it cost to drag both bikes (in two separate cases) with us? We'll be departing from the Washington D.C. Metro area.

I'm sure that if you posted your question on the Serotta Owners Forum:
http://www.hydromedia.com/phorum/list.php?f=3
you would get some good answers. There's quite a few San Diegans on that forum. There are quite a few good bike shops in the North San Diego County area (Oceanside, Carlsbad etc.) Ask about them too.

I'm not real good on my north-of-SD geography, but some people have posted about being from around Temecula, riding up mount Palomar, and someone even posted about riding to Julian. Maybe Knifun and Garbear?

Thanks for the leads. I'll look into them.

There is a bike route from Oceanside through Carlsbad, Encinitas, Cardiff, solana Beach, Del Mar, Torrey Pines. It is heavliy used by road bikers - you see a lot of club rides. A nice hill climb at Torrey Pines, also, as you head up the cliffs. You can also bike clear into La Jolla

Also, if you don't mind getting up early, drive or ride to Torrey Pines State Beach and walk along the cliffs heading south. If you catch a low tide, you can get around the bluffs and go for several miles (yes, there is a nude beach at the far end - Black's Beach). Anyway, if you get there about 6am or so, hardly anyone else will be there and it will be a great experience.

Later during the day is also fun, but more folks.

Also, Mt. Palomar is rated as one of the toughest hills around. Many miles of steep grade, going from about 2,000 feet up to near 5,000 feet. Need to drive to get there.

you catch a low tide, you can get around the bluffs and go for several miles (yes, there is a nude beach at the far end - Black's Beach).

Hey, does this mean we'll have to ride naked through this beach? :eek:

Sounds like there a lot of club rides in Oceanside. I guess I can try to hook up with some when I get out there.

Thanks for the info.

Eagle Eye,
Last July we vacationed at Lawrence Welk Resort, north of Escondido, about 30 miles from where you will be. I was absolutely DYING because I did not have a bike. The resort is just off I-15. The service road near the resort (aka Champagne Blvd) has wide bike lanes as do many of the highways out in that area, including much of Highway 76, the small highway that heads back toward Palomar and on to Julian. The area seems to be very popular for cycling as I saw groups of 2 or more ALL the time. Interesting riding, too, ranging from rolling terrain in the area nearer the interstate up to downright challenging stuff, ie small mountains up to 4000 ft, as you head back up into the hills toward the Mt. Palomar area. We did a wandering road trip on the 4th of July up to Julian via 76, 79, 78 to Julian, backtracked a bit to 79 and up to Temecula, a pretty trip. I'm pretty sure I saw cyclists mainly on 76 and maybe onto 79. The bike lanes ended somewhere up in that area. Looked like beautiful riding. Fair warning, the cyclists I saw up 76 looked pretty serious and they were having to WORK on some of those hills. I would LOVE to get back up there and give it a go.

Of course there are bike lanes all along the coast highway and MANY cyclists. Some of that looked beautiful.

We had lunch at a restaurant in Cardiff, down the coast from where you will be. I believe it was

Charlie's by the Sea
2526 S Coast Hwy 101
Cardiff, CA 92007

The food was good, but the reason we stopped there was because it sits right on the beach. We sat outside and watched the surfers while we ate. There are, I'm sure, many places to do this, but not that many right down on the beach that I saw.

Many airlines charge about $40 each way for a bike. Some accept it at no charge as one of your two pieces of checked luggage. You just have to call the airline.

Have fun! If I get out there again my bike is going regardless of the cost! I am heading out of town until after Thanksgiving in a couple of hours so I won't be able to respond to any questions. John E is from that area, too.
Regards,
Raymond

Eagle Eye and Rainman. Yeap, this is home to at least 4 members of this forum. Rainman mentioned lots of our favorite rides..
Mt. Palomar is about 6,000 feet, Guess the ascent is about 4.000 ft. It is a favorite ride. Can be pretty hot in late summer.. I suggest you stop at the California Welcome center in Oceanside, and get a San Diego Bicycle Map. Just ask at the desk. They can also be acquired at the County Tourist Office at Mission Beach park in San Diego..
So many great rides in the area.. Click on the San Diego Bicycle coalition. Seems they mention some of the most popular ride sites. They have a link to all the areas' bicycle clubs.. Yes, you see cyclists everywhere.. If you are a cyclists- do not forget your bike..You will regret it..
Rainman we meet each Tuesday at the Welk complex to start our rides up into the hills east of Welk..
I actually think Mt. Palomar is not the most difficult climb. There is a hill on a county road coming of the desert town of Borrego Springs that is a whopper.. Andy Hempstein trained on it for Cat 4 kind of training..Maybe the elevation gain is less but the grade is wow... I like riding on the desert in the Spring and fall.. In winter there is less fog..
Ps. If you want to take the easy climb up Mt. Palomar take the east access road coming out of the Lake Henneshaw area. It has fewer swithbacks. Considerable easier... I like descending on a a road with fewer swithcbacks..

Mt. Palomar is about 6,000 feet

The actual top of the mountain is 6,126 feet. The observatory is at 5,500 feet. My thought is that the point where the road branches to Lake Henshaw or goes to the observatory would be about 5,000 feet. I think the highest reasonable elevation you could get to would be the observatory.

And, I am familiar with the road you mention from Borrego . Yes, that is a steep climb - also a windy one. I had the door of my car ruined many years ago when the wind jerked it out if my hands at a rest stop and the door was sprung!!

Raised in them thar parts!! I used to spend my summers on Palomar Mountain, and my relatives, the Mendenhalls, once owned a good chunk of the mountain.

Thanks guys. I'm not actually looking to climbing big hills since my wife will be with me. Some hill work is fine, but no monster hills if possible. I'll contat the California Welcome Center and see if they can send me a bike map. This way I can plan my ride before I head out there.

recommended very strongly that you include a ride to Point Loma Lighthouse (Cabrillo National Monument). You won't regret it.

Thanks. I'll check it out.