Ortega Highway?

[devilinblack]

Just curious if anyone rides Ortega Hwy from SJC up to the mountains. I'd like to maybe ride the mountain bike up there some time to do some camping, but it's been a while since I was on that road and I can't remember how bike friendly it is.

Any tips are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[jschen]

Isn't Ortega Hwy the one where the sport bikers go crazy? I would be scared of riding my road bike there.

[Blastinbob]

Don't, too narrow and too many idiots.

[cjbruin]

Every time I drive that road I think, I wouldn't want to be on my bicycle.

[OC Roadie]

Every time I drive that road I think, I wouldn't want to be on my bicycle.
+1 I don't even like to drive Ortega Hwy, it would be an awesome ride, if it was closed to traffic.

[redden]

Is it as bad as Mulholland near the Rock Store?
Whats it like during the week?

[devilinblack]

Don't, too narrow and too many idiots.

That's what I thought I remembered about it. Thanks for the quick responses.

[Chucklehead]

great mountain bike trails out there, though.

[jsigone]

roadie NO
MTB YES!!!!!

http://www.geoladders.com/show_route.php?from_top=1&route_id=130
http://www.geoladders.com/show_route.php?from_top=1&route_id=326
http://www.geoladders.com/show_route.php?from_top=1&route_id=450
http://www.geoladders.com/show_route.php?from_top=1&route_id=105
http://www.geoladders.com/show_route.php?from_top=1&route_id=471
http://www.geoladders.com/show_route.php?from_top=1&route_id=34

I've only riden San Juan Up and Down. VERY VERY FUN TRAIL. Watch out for the DH bombers that shuttle that ride. I want to do some more riding up there. SOOOO many new trails I want to try!!!!

[Dan Drew]

Just curious if anyone rides Ortega Hwy from SJC up to the mountains. I'd like to maybe ride the mountain bike up there some time to do some camping, but it's been a while since I was on that road and I can't remember how bike friendly it is.

Any tips are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

You can ride to Caspers Wilderness park on Ortega Highway by road. Then go on dirt from Caspers to Rancho Santa Margarita. Pretty nice ride, only a few riders, and no houses for a good portion.
This is one of my regular Mt Bike rides, but I start in Rancho and head to Caspers.

Go through Caspers up to Bell View trail, right at the top of the hill and then nice rollers through dirt for the next 8-10 miles.
Virtually impossible to get lost.

[maddmike]

We just need a critical mass ride out there some day. One bike a problem, 30 bikes no problem.

[Pico]

I have done the other side from Lake Elsinore to Main Divide Road up and down. I'd say it's no problem descending down to Lake Elsinore but you have to come back up another way (South Main Divide Rd for example). I will never climb from Elsinor to Main Divide Road again, very scary. Riding Ortega between Main Divide Road and SJC is just dumb.

[cyclezealot]

30 is ok. 100 would be better.

[LCI_Brian]

I've done it a few times, all early weekend mornings, all the way from Elsinore to SJC.

The climb sorta reminds me of 330 on Ride Around the Bear, the switchbacks slow the cars down a bit.

The first part of the downhill towards SJC is steep enough that you're almost going the speed of traffic. But as it gets less steep further down, you still have to be out in the middle of the lane, even though you're going slower. I used my glasses mounted mirror to scan back and then move over at a straightaway, wider spot, or a turnout in order to let traffic pass. If you're not out in the lane and stay close to the right edge the whole time, you'll get passed really closely and you'll run into trouble with debris and other stuff on the right edge.

I never felt in any danger, but I certainly wouldn't do that ride without a mirror to help with the turnouts. I thought the wilder sport bikers were more of a danger to themselves than to me. Even so, if I were to put my bike in the car and drive out to the base of a climb to do some riding, there's many other roads I would probably choose first.

BTW, I know that a shoulder widening project in is in the works. The construction was supposed to start by now, is that the case?