Bobsled

So I want to take the wife along for a ride from Costa Mesa to the N.B. backbay. How safe is traveling on PCH from like Dover to Jamboree? Is there a bike lane, wide shoulder, or squat?

Elvo

You get a nice wide bikelane. But I'd rather ride Jamboree -> Dover or even take the shortcut through the Newport Dunes ->Jamboree -> Dover. This route avoids the two left turns you'd have to make.

Bobsled

First, thanks for the reply but, sorry, I don't see it. I'm looking at a Thomas Guide and Jamboree is on the right of backbay and dover is on the left. Only way they connect is via PCH. I was planning on driving to Mariners Park and riding over or maybe even Bonita Creek Park. I would like it to be around 20 to 25 mile loop tho and that may not cut it. We have a friend who lives up in HB (around the corner from Jax) so that is a option too but same deal PCH then left onto Jamboree. Any other options?

Johnelwood

Not sure how familiar you are with the area or what type of route you're looking for. But if you're looking for a nice ride with the wife featuring Newport Back Bay, you could park at Mariner's Park and ride the trail that goes around the Back Bay. Maybe something like the link below. You can do a 20-25 mile loop that features going all the way around the back bay and going pretty far inland along the same bike trail and never have to deal with traffic at all. If you and your wife want a little bit more climbing and variety and don't just want to stay on a bike trail, I'd try to make a roune over to San Joaquin Hills, Newport Coast, Shady Canyon (nice trail there too). Google maps are the easiest tool I've found to throw something together as they have a bicycle option--just be careful, it's not 100% accurate yet... The Back Bay trail is nice though--you can usually maintain a pretty good pace on that (for me at least...).

If you do choose to go down Dover to PCH, I'd turn Left at Bayside and take the Back Bay trail from there rather than turning on Jamboree. Better scenery that way and you avoid a lot of traffic. But the bridge from Dover to Bayside Jamboree is somewhat narrow and that area can be trafficky depending upon the time of day. I've ridden it and wouldn't not ride it again, but I'd avoid it if I could find a better route to get where I wanted to go.

(https://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...&z=16&lci=bike)

Bobsled

Thanks. I think we'll do that northern clockwise path in your link then continue down the right side of backbay near Jamboree and University.

Elvo

https://www.irlandmarks.org/assets/pd...BayLoopMap.pdf

It's much better to go the opposite way so you don't have to make two lefts. The left from PCH to Jamboree requires crossing 3 or 4 lanes of 45 mph traffic. The alternative is to use the crosswalk but I'm not sure if one exists there.

Pamestique 

Not exactly sure what you are asking but I ride the Back Bay loop alot and what I do, especially on weekends or during busy times, I either use the bike trail under PCH from Dover and once on the south side stay on the sideway until I hit Bayview. I go across Bayview and then stop and go North on Bayview, around the Marina and then over the bridge at the Dunes. This will drop you out on Back Bay Drive. You can either go do Back Bay North or turn right and connect to Jamboree.

If you haven't ridden through the neighbor on the West side of Back Bay, look it up. Lovely quiet streets and big fancy houses to look at and then a nice back trail to connect to that will take you out on the point, overlooking the Harbor.

If you are coming down Jamboree, take Back Bay Drive and connect to the bike trail around the Dunes which then goes to Bayview. Turn right on PCH. You can (as many people do) stay on the sidewalk) If you are on the sidewalk, stay on the it to the bike path. There is alittle steep climb but then you are on the bike trail.

Pamestique 

BTW a nice ride from Bonita Creek Park, if you don't mind alittle climbing... Come out onto EastBluff/University turn right and ride up to Campus. Take Campus until you cross Culver and then right onto the bike path. Take the path up to Shady Canyon (Can't remember the name I think that's right its Shady something) and turn right. There is a bike trail and it used to go through Bommer but I think that's under construction (but may be complete now). Just before shady turns toward Turtle Rock, take the trail/path into the Shady Ridge Community and stay on the trail. Take the trail through Shady Ridge down to Quail Ridge and continue on the path - it will go West by the by the 405 freeway and then up and over the 405. At the light, turn right into the neighborhood and continue down until you have to turn left. I think its Valley Oak or something. Take that until it connects to the San Diego Creek trail, go left and take the trail back to Bonita. It's about 20+ miles with a fair amount of climbing. Very scenic.

Johnelwood

You're very welcome--and yes, don't miss the other side of the Back Bay--that's the most scenic side. I didn't complete the loop in the suggested route. And you have some good advice from the posts below as well. Great place to ride.

Bobsled

Thanks. We go tomorrow.

Garfield Cat

Its a good thing you didn't go today. I went for a ride later like around 2 pm. There was a big traffic accident on PCH at Riverside Avenue and also in front of Sterling BMW. Traffic was blocked both ways on PCH and the yellow ribbon was there. A bystander said two people died. I got caught in it after doing the Back Bay but fortunately bike riders somehow get by.

Garfield Cat

It was a big accident and got local coverage

https://www.ocregister.com/articles/b...suspected.html

bowser29

did you mean Bayside Dr? i will try your suggested route this weekend

thanks

toolbear

Check out the Class I trails in Irvine. They have 45 miles of them. No cars. I like that.

<https://www.traillink.com/trail/san-diego-creek-bikeway-.aspx>

You can try the Mountains to the Sea, Back Bay version. Pick up the San Diego Creek Trail at the top of the bay, up to Bill Barber Park - nice trailhead - up the Harvard to Peters Canyon Wash, up that to the West Irvine, over into Tustin to the regional park. Get up to Irvine Park, then head for the sea.