kimconyc

Great ride report!

I've ridden around Palomar>Lake Henshaw countless times but I hadn't even heard of San Pasqual County Park until this thread!

Escondido>Palomar>Henshaw>78 seems like it would be a really nice loop!

How is the traffic (seems like cycling heaven from the pictures)?

pgjackson

On this loop, the worst traffic is on the 78 going past the Safari Park (but there is a wide shoulder for most of it) and on San Pasqual Road. Using the mileage map I posted earlier, once you get on Bandy Canyon you pretty much have the road to yourself from about mile 7 to mile 17. You do need to watch out for guys on crotchrockets and sports cars...they love this road as well (I've done 100mph+ in my BMW M3 on this road). Miles 18-21 can get a little hairy on San Pasqual Road going past the Orfila Winery and the ostrich farm because the road is VERY narrow with no shoulder. For some reason giant 18-wheel trucks love using this road, and when two pass each other and you happen to be on a bike at that point, you will probably find yourself in the dirt. This was actually my first time riding SPR. Every time I see a cyclist on SPR I always think "that guy is crazy". I wish the county would widen the road a little, it's a beautiful ride/drive.

It's definately the most scenic ride in Escondido.

GP 

$2.

GP 

We took Highland Valley Rd. yesterday. You should have joined us. Great weather.

pgjackson

I was planning on getting in a good ride yesterday, but my 10 year old daughter was violently ill all day. Some kind of stomach bug. The wife is out of town so I had to stay home. She's better this morning. Just bought a new seat (remember when I said I feel off the bike going up the Bandy Canyon hill? Well I ripped a big hole in the side of my seat). Heading out later while my son babysits.

pgjackson

I think I saw your group this morning around 10:30 headed up San Pasqual Road near the high school (I was headed the other way to pick up my new seat). I bet it was exciting getting that big group down SPR with no shoulder.

pgjackson

Is that on a bus or train?

GP 

Sprinter train. It takes an hour to get from Oceanside to Escondido. Almost empty 5:30 am train and the a-hole ticket checker makes me move my bike to the other side of the car because it was on the wrong side.

pgjackson

I might have to take the sprinter the other direction so I can ride the coast on the weekends instead of wasting $15-20 in gas it takes to drive from here to the coast and back.

GP 

Yesterday was the first time I've taken it. The schedule is pretty convenient. Sit near your bike and supervise others if they lean their bikes against yours. You don't want a a dent in your frame from somebody being careless with their 50lb POS bike.

pgjackson

I think I would just keep the bike right next to me or stand next to it. I'd be pissed if some surfer dude just layed his big ass cruiser on top of my bike. The Escondido station is only about 5 miles from my house.

TMonk

pg do you ride with any clubs/groups in the area?

Ranchos in Escondido rides every sat at 8am from N county fair, as i'm sure you are aware.

You should come join they ride in that area sometimes but more frequently in valley center and to the north.

pgjackson

I don't ride with any groups. I have a real hard time getting out of bed that early on the weekends. I rode once with the North Couty Cycle Club in San Marcos, but the last thing I want to do on a Saturday is get up early. I'm thinking about doing another photo journal of a Valley Center/Lilac Drive ride. The Valley Center incline is no joke.

boogoshea

pgjackson, thanks so much for taking the time to give us the pictorial tour. I know how much I hate to stop on my training rides. Glad you and your new bike survived the fall

TMonk

Yeah. Lake Wohlford (sp?) is even tougher.

Lilac road (from top to bottom in Bonsall) is high up on my list of best roads to ride on.

pgjackson

Lilac is awesome. Here's a panoramic photo I took a couple of months ago on Lilac. Not a great picture, but you get the idea. That's Lilac to the right of the picture.