travelinhobo

I just want to say that after riding Rt. 76 from Rt. 79 to the freeway, I'm amazed at the piss-pour job the county has done with placing a permanent shoulder on this road for cyclists. It is sporadic and several times ends abruptly putting the newbie cyclist at risk of a severe accident if they don't know just to stay in the car lane. This road is used by many cyclists, maybe some of you who are users of this site. Every bike club and organization in this county needs to put a push on the county transportation dept. to install a complete shoulder including the section which crosses all the Indian reservations.

Power to the Cyclists.

Garfield Cat

I read your post and was wondering about the term: piss-pour. So I looked it up and its piss-poor. But the definition and origin are interesting:

World Wide Words: Piss-poor

calamarichris

There are so many great roads and climbs around there, but that's one stretch I've generally avoided. Lilac, West Lilac, Couser Canyon, Palomar Mountain, and Nate Harrison are all better options.

marquhar

" Every bike club and organization in this county needs to put a push on the county transportation dept."

I can't count how many times I've felt like this in various places in SoCal - places that should be OK for Roadies to ride, but are are badly designed, executed, or in poor condition.

Once in a while I act on my observations and start making emails and phone calls, but not often enough. If there is any greater purpose to this forum, it might be to rally others to do the same.

Roadies have a unique perspective since we cover lots of miles and see the roads in detail. Sometimes
the Public Works Depts need a little pushing.

travelinhobo

Hmmm. Yes, I meant piss-poor. Although technically, they do pour the tar when they construct roads, so it could be piss-poured. In which case, I only missed the past tense of it. I have emailed the county roads dept. regarding this road and the lack of a consistent shoulder. If any of you wish to add your own comments to them, address it to Seth Cutter. I'm not from here or CA, I'm not a "roadie". I'm just a bicycle advocate who whose soul is the bicycle. I love my bike. My bike loves me.

GP

What freeway were you riding to, 5 or 15?

Most cyclists avoid that sectin of 76. I can think of only 2 club rides that i've done the in the last several years on that stretch. If you go to SD Randoneurs or NC3 websites you can browse around and find several alternate routes. I probably would have stayed on 79 to the old julian highway to ramona then taken highland valley rd to escondido.

calamarichris

I recommend you leave out that part from your letter to our public servants and elected officials.
Good luck. (Where are you visiting from BTW? Portland?)

jsigone

the 76 is pretty long

Avoid the part between the 15 and Cole Grade unless you are fast and have tail wind.