the old model to get on base as a cyclist was to present id (state drivers license/id card) back in the day to sentry, who should glance at it, and let you through.

most recent model (before the suspension of civilian cyclists) for roughly the last five years was to bring a real id or valid passport to the main gate/southern end of base visitor center. you would fill out a two-sided form and submit your id. if accepted, they would take your picture and issue you a camp pendleton-specific, only cycling along the indicated route (without deviations like hitting the on-base convenience store or sauntering up another road) id that was valid for one year. it did not automatically renew. you had to go back to the visitor center every year to renew. entire process was free and usually took about 35-40 mins depending on how busy they were. the renewals seemed slightly faster and actually made it out of there in 15 mins one time.

would expect any new model to be similar to the most recent experience. will take both the passport and the tsa card. maybe things will be more streamlined now? one can hope.