Southern California - Seeking century or double century partners or route advice from Irvine area 11/21

Hi,
I am a Boise ID rider active in the Road, Commuting and Cyclocross forums.

I will be in the Irvine/Garden Grove area on 11/21 and would love to meet up with some fellow BFers for a century or even a double. Any interest in joining me?

I am pretty unfamiliar with the area so I would glady defer route planning to anyone who wants to go along.

At this point I am considering both Northern and Southern bound routes. I dream of pulling off Irvine/San Diego/Irvine but am a little intimidated by the routing by what I have read online.

I am fairly fit, have been racing cross, and can cruise in a paceline all day at 23 mph or so. Alone, I usually ride closer to 19-21 mph.

Any advice on routing or potential riding buddies would be appreciated.

Thanks, Troy

Edit: I need to read the whole post first..... Ignore

Here is a route slip (http://www.ocrebels.com/PermanentSpreadsheets/SanDiegoFromAmtrak.pdf) from the Amtrak train station in Irvine to San Diego. It goes through Camp Pendleton, so you might want to check if it is open and if it is - you'll need a picture ID and a helmet, otherwise they won't let you ride through the base. You can avoid riding on the base if you take I-5 freeway for about 7 miles. It is legal, but it's not fun.
Also, you are welcome to join the OCRR (http://www.ocrebels.com) for a regular club ride. There are a few guys from BF who ride with the Rebels. Don't be shy. :D
The ride on 11/21 should be fairly hilly, but probably only around 50 miles - kind of short for what you want. If you are interested - check the "Ride Schedule" tab for the route, it will be posted on Tuesday or Wednesday (11/17-18).

I dream of pulling off Irvine/San Diego/Irvine but am a little intimidated by the routing by what I have read online.


I wouldn't be able to do it any time soon, but that is something I want to do in the spring next year, but go SD - Irvine - SD, basically doubling the Amtrak route. It would make for a very easy double.

Here is a route slip (http://www.ocrebels.com/PermanentSpreadsheets/SanDiegoFromAmtrak.pdf) from the Amtrak train station in Irvine to San Diego. It goes through Camp Pendleton, so you might want to check if it is open and if it is - you'll need a picture ID and a helmet, otherwise they won't let you ride through the base. You can avoid riding on the base if you take I-5 freeway for about 7 miles. It is legal, but it's not fun.
Also, you are welcome to join the OCRR (http://www.ocrebels.com) for a regular club ride. There are a few guys from BF who ride with the Rebels. Don't be shy. :D
The ride on 11/21 should be fairly hilly, but probably only around 50 miles - kind of short for what you want. If you are interested - check the "Ride Schedule" tab for the route, it will be posted on Tuesday or Wednesday (11/17-18).

Thanks a lot! I will consider the OCRR ride...a quick glance at the "Gold" route made me salivate for some climbing :). I could do something like that and then just add some miles toward the north or something for a full century.

I wouldn't be able to do it any time soon, but that is something I want to do in the spring next year, but go SD - Irvine - SD, basically doubling the Amtrak route. It would make for a very easy double.

To tell you the truth, I am not so sure I WANT to do a double that day...but I could be convinced ;)

Thanks a lot! I will consider the OCRR ride...a quick glance at the "Gold" route made me salivate for some climbing :). I could do something like that and then just add some miles toward the north or something for a full century.
You're very welcome. There are plenty of options if you want to add some extra miles from Ladera Ranch. It is a cycling-friendly area. We'll talk again closer to the time.
Jimmy