don't know how many days/average mileage per day goals.


assuming your southern destination is downtown san diego.


are you planning more of a coastal route or inland route? if doing the coastal route, you'll need to pass through
camp pendleton in northern san diego county and register beforehand:


https://mccscp.wufoo.com/forms/camp-...e-access-form/


all of the riders planning on accompanying you will need to fill this out and submit it. i would submit it asap and have
everyone, either together or solo, attempt to ride through a few weeks later with proper id (read the camp pendleton
regulations beforehand) to see if the "team" is all cleared. normally, you can ride on the 5 fwy on the stretch that parallels
marine corps base camp pendleton to bypass the base but caltrans has had much of that stretch under construction the last
6 months and prohibited cyclists from riding the freeway there. even if you felt like blowing off the no cycling signs, the shoulder
is gone so you're actually cycling in the far right (trucks) lane. no thanks.


if the entire group is not cleared or you decide on an inland route through san diego county (likely through the 15 fwy corridor),
it will add on approximately 75 miles and a few thousand feet of climbing.


coastal route is more direct and much more travelled. inland has its own charms though. a fellow forumite laid this down
a while back:


Biking the Coast Range route to Southern California - Bay Bikers: The Bay Area's bicycle blog


a few routes i would ride in san diego county to prep for your adventure;


1. san onofre state beach south to downtown san diego along the coast (through camp pendleton & along pacific coast highway/camino del mar)
don't have to do it all on one ride but your biggest physical obstacle south of los angeles along the coast is the torrey pines grade
at approx 1.6 miles at 5% average grade. make sure everyone rides it at least once since it is the likely route on the trip.


2. ramona north to warner springs via old julian highway to state hwy 78-left/north on state hwy 79 turning back at warner springs
and returning same way. some good headwinds, tailwinds and crosswinds with a good mix of flats, false flats and lesser grade
rises. support stores for grub and grog here and there but not many and a good primer for realizing when you need to
eat/drink/resupply for less populated stretches of the trip.


3. otay lakes/east chula vista to campo via otay lakes road and state hwy 94 turning back at campo and returning same way.
hillier and harder than the ramona-warner springs route but another windfest and limited support route primer.


4. silver strand bike path-imperial beach/coronado. dead flat but perennial crosswinds.


5. el camino real between del mar/carmel valley and oceanside. rolling terrain mixed with a few short flats.


the first 3 rides will be longer than 55 miles.


best wishes!