Fifty Plus (50+) - San Diego Ride Report

After a brief recovery from our return from Rome, we left on Saturday morning for San Diego and planned three days of riding. We decided to drive so that carrying bikes and equipment would be easier. It is fun to visit places you have lived previously, behave like a tourist and have local knowledge. Our first ride was from La Jolla UCSD to Carlsbad and back along the coast. It was a beautiful day and the ride was as we remembered it from many years ago. We cruised along Torrey Pines road past Torrey Pines Golf course and past the glider port. We descended Torrey Pines Hill and were treated to the beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean with Del Mar in the distance. We climbed the Del Mar hill and began our trek through the many beach towns along the ride arriving in Carlsbad. The total distance was 48 miles.

Bottom of Torrey Pines Hill view toward Del Mar

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PCH approach to Carlsbad

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When we lived in La Costa, we originated numerous runs from this location with a popular surfing beach called Swamis.

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The next day we rode from the middle of Camp Pendleton, Marine Base, to San Juan Capistrano beach. This time, we had strong head winds on the way out and cross winds on the return. However, the 35 mile ride was magnificent with gorgeous views of the Pacific.

Here are some pics from San Juan Capistrano Beach

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On Tuesday, we rode from our Hotel to La Jolla Cove, Pacific Beach and did a loop around Fiesta Island - 30 miles

La Jolla Cove - a non-tourist shot

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PB looking toward LJ

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Heading toward Fiesta Island at Mission Bay

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These pictures are fake. San Diego doesn't look nearly that good. Don't think about moving here, I'm telling you, it's ugly!

(Seriously -- great report!)

I agree with Digital Gee. If you're thinking of moving here after seeing those pics, don't. The sun never shines here. There are no bike lanes. The cops will arrest you if they see you riding in a lane. Swami's is polluted by incense.

Nice images, though. You almost had me fooled! :)

Terrific shots. Nice work.

Definitely must be fakes. All that scenery and only a few cars and No bikes whatsoever. If that was any where in Europe- the bikes clubs would be out in their dozens and the Old fogies would be out in the sea air admiring Nature from their air conditioned Bentleys and Rolls.

Thank for the pics.

So. How was Rome?

Man oh man, what a great bunch of pictures. Thank you.

I've played golf at Torrey Pines and recall the hill. What's the hill like on a bike? I hope you got in a little golf as well.....

I've played golf at Torrey Pines and recall the hill. What's the hill like on a bike? I hope you got in a little golf as well.....

The hill on the main highway is pretty easy, about 7 percent and a mile long, but you have to pace yourself. The worst part is the sweeping rightward bend which forms a false summit about 2/3 of the way up. The climb inside the park, on the former Coast Highway, is about 10 percent, with numerous switchback curves, from which the view is glorious.

That approach into Carlsbad along PCH is part of my morning commute. PCH is a great place to bike or run, but on weekends it suffers from its own popularity.

Thanks for the great ride report and pics! SD is only a hop away from us by car and we plan to take our bikes one day and ride. My grandmother lived in a nice retirement home in LJ until she passed away... her room looked right down onto the beach. LJ is a beautiful community, at least when we'd go to visit her (gosh more than 30 years ago now....).

Holy Smokes! That place is like heaven on earth. I've been to SD only once for a conference and never really got to see everything. I've got to go there again...

Thanks for the report and the photos. Wow! BTW, you and your wife look great!

-soma5

So. How was Rome?

It was fantastic. We are preparing the trip report. We have 550 digital pics.:eek: I have a writeup and now I have to put the pics with the words - a couple more days.

I've played golf at Torrey Pines and recall the hill. What's the hill like on a bike? I hope you got in a little golf as well.....

No golf this time. With respect to Torrey Pines Hill, I raced a local up the hill. I did it in my 39/17 (I think: middle of rear cassette) and did not fall below 9 mph. I dropped him half way up as the pitch increases. The guy had been drafting my wife and I for a few miles and I knew it would be settled on TP.;)

Definitely must be fakes. All that scenery and only a few cars and No bikes whatsoever. If that was any where in Europe- the bikes clubs would be out in their dozens and the Old fogies would be out in the sea air admiring Nature from their air conditioned Bentleys and Rolls.

Thank for the pics.

One should note that SD is a vacation destination and the summer is over. The best time of year for locals is after labor day. If this would have been in July or August, the look and feel of the coast would be completely different.

Thanks for the great ride report and pics! SD is only a hop away from us by car and we plan to take our bikes one day and ride. My grandmother lived in a nice retirement home in LJ until she passed away... her room looked right down onto the beach. LJ is a beautiful community, at least when we'd go to visit her (gosh more than 30 years ago now....).

We lived in LJ on Mount Soledad and down the hill from our house was the Wind and Sea beach. It is a local beach that tourists do not attend and my wife and I would go there to chill out or for elfresco dinners. We did sunset dinner there on Sunday and saw the green flash. I could not believe it. We lived in SD for 16 years and never saw it until this week. We saw the green flash in the Caribean Sea. If you drive to LJ, check it out. Here is a pic of yet another beautiful beach.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u250/rallen94402/San%20Diego%20Cycle/PICT0010.jpg

BTW, you and your wife look great!

-soma5

Thanks for the compliment...

Definitely must be fakes. All that scenery and only a few cars and No bikes whatsoever. If that was any where in Europe- the bikes clubs would be out in their dozens and the Old fogies would be out in the sea air admiring Nature from their air conditioned Bentleys and Rolls.

Thank for the pics.

I have ridden parts of this stretch for several years now, on and off.

There can be LOTS of cyclists out, but if it is cold. . . well, alot of southern California cyclists are wusses when it comes to riding in below 60ºf weather. . .

I have ridden parts of this stretch for several years now, on and off.

There can be LOTS of cyclists out, but if it is cold. . . well, alot of southern California cyclists are wusses when it comes to riding in below 60ºf weather. . .

Yeah, that's why I asked about leg warmers! We have thin blood over here! :)

I have ridden parts of this stretch for several years now, on and off.

There can be LOTS of cyclists out, but if it is cold. . . well, alot of southern California cyclists are wusses when it comes to riding in below 60ºf weather. . .

It was 73 degrees F and perfect cycling condtions. The coast down TP hill was even warm.:rolleyes: There were other cyclists. The pics did not include them and there was not a constant stream of activity that one sees in the summer.

Those are really great shots! I don't ride North County near enough, mostly East County. The last time I rode from San Juan Capistrano to Solana Beach--great ride until you got into Oceanside, Encinitas etc., then you ran into traffic. The views around Torrey Pines are always great and it's a really fun ride. The hills aren't that bad climbing either. I loved stopping at the glider port to watch all the action, looks like people are having fun. Glad you enjoyed the city--anyone thinking of coming out to cycle, your only entitled to ONE visit, then you have to go home.LOL