Originally Posted by mrt10x
You could skip the final climb into Julian and get pie at the junction of 78 and 79 at the Julian Pie Co. OBTW you should be climbing Palomar early enough, but be careful, a sunny Sat morning on either grade is the playground for sport bikes. I know that Harley riders like me even avoid the front side on the weekends because the sport bike guys blow by us. Furthermore, be very careful on the decent, local residents are known to spread sand, and even oil in the corners to discourage the motorcyclists, there was even a CHP advisory on it earlier this year. Also watch those corners on the way down; there are several decreasing radius corners that will catch you unaware. Wish I had enough saddle time to try it with you, but I consider that a pretty nice Harley ride... let alone on the road bike.
Thanks for the heads up, your suggestion about skipping Julian and getting pie at the 78/79 junction is the way we're leaning. I deal with the crotch rocket guys on Glendora Ridge Road and Baldy as well, I guess it comes with riding the fun twisty roads. If I remember correctly, East Grade has mellower, sweeping turns, rather than the tighter switchbacks of South Grade. Still, we'll watch out for sand, oil, and vehicles that "cut" the corners.