pgjackson

Not nearly as cool as the tour of South Korea, but it motivated me to take some pictures on my ride through the San Pasqual Valley. Located in North County San Diego, actually Escondido, is a beautiful agricultural valley. It's home to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (formerly the Wild Animal Park). Highway 78 passes right through it. Most of this was burned to a crisp in the fires in 2007.

Here's what the valley looks like, facing to the east:



Lots of horses near the neighborhood




Here's a pick of the valley from Hwy 78 using a Panoramic Photo app on my iphone.


Turning off of the 78 on to Bandy Canyon Road. Orange trees on both sides. Almost never any traffic. One of my favorite roads.


It was like this the whole way.


I don't know what this is about, but out in the middle of nowhere is this. Had to wal across about 50 yards of rattlesnake-infested brush to get to it.


Another cool panoramic shot from inside;

save10

cool pics.

I'm sure you already do this, but you can use a photoeditor (photoshop or GIMP or whatever) to trim the edges of the panoramic to make a clean image.

pgjackson

here's this weird milk factory along Bany Canyon. I hope they don't actually bottle milk here because it's pretty run down. While I was taking this picture a big peloton of riders came whizzing by. If that was you, i tried to catch you guys, but you were haulin'.


Another "Open Road" picture. Dreading what's coming next.


The dreaded Bandy Canyon climb. 14-16% grade for about a mile.


Almost at the top, looking back down. About two minutes after taking this shot it thought I had a flat rear tire. As I slowed down (already going slow because I'm on a 15% grade), my pedal failed to release my foot. Fell over, ripped a hole in my saddle and my water bottle went rolling down the hill. Glad that peloton was not there to see that.


County planners saw fit to make up for their evil Bandy Canyon incline by giving cyclists the Highland Valley decline. Two miles of beautifully twisty decline. Love it! Yeah, right...I'll make sure to observe the speed limit.


Another panoramic shot. The hill goes a little to the right, then sweeps gracefully to the left, then continues around the corner to the right around the mountain. Two miles of switchbacks. Awesome!


Highland Valley ends and drops you out at the I-15. Cross over the interstate and you come to the new foot bridge headed back to Escondido. Great place for a break.

98TJ

Cool stuff.

pgjackson

Go across the bridge and follow the dirt trail to the right and it brings back under the I-15


Just past the 15. Beautiful countryside. Used to be bone dry in here.


Now I'm on San Pasqual Road. Orfila Winery. Great wine, very expensive.


When we moved here in 2007, this sigh said "Smartly priced from the $900's". No, I don't live in that neighborhood.


Yep, we have ostriches out here right on the side of the road. The fellow on the left said he liked my Felt better. What does he know? He's an ostrich.


Just some cows chilling next to the 78. This completes the 24-mile loop. Hope you enjoyed the pics.

ilvwhtgrls

looks like a nice ride! do you know of a route to get from oceanside to the escondido area by bike?

NotZeroSix

Dude thats so awesome! The only part I hate traveling through is from Escondido to the 78 East. Its kinda dangerous since its only one way lane for cars going 50+ MPH with no bike lane. (I almost got hit by a van on Old Pasqual Rd and there was no traffic. Kinda scary if you might say) Anyways but when you head back on Brady Canyon Road its all rewarding. Theres no disturbing traffic, the scenery is awesome, and the road is basically yours. Its an great experience! (No wonder it was part of the TOC of 2009)

Also there is a short but wicked decent going down hill on highway valley. You go so fast that I take most of the road until I hit the bottom. Its really fun IMO. I recommend this path to anyone on this forum!

Anyways great pictures man! I always wanted to take photos of this path but holding a DSLR isnt practical for me. Also if you are interested in coming to a group ride this weekend, our local Trek store is sponsoring an event that will go through this path. Heres a link: https://trekbicyclesuperstore.com/art...ions-pg470.htm If you decide to come, see you there!

-Allen

pgjackson

The only way I know is to use the frontage roads along the 78.

baj32161

Great thread PGJ....I love that area of California.

pgjackson

I like that it's still country, but not too far from downtown and the beach.

TerranATG

Great pics pgjackson. I'll be riding with the trek group this weekend. I've been riding with these guys since the start back in Jan. This will be my first experience through that area. Which group do you ride with Allen?

NotZeroSix

Awesome! I will be doing the 50 miler this weekend. I have been really busy for the past few months since weather sucked (bad predictions on forecast) and busy workload from school (trying to get into Nursing school). So that means I will be really slow. And I built a new bike a few months ago and dying to try it out for an event. So if you go, I will see you there. I will be wearing a white or black Capo Jersey! =D

JustinHorne

Awesome pictures. I've thought about doing that before, I would just be annoyed stopping to take pictures all the time, as well as dealing with having a camera on me. That said, awesome, I'm jealous!

volosong

Wonderful images. Thanks for the memories. I used to live in Escondido between 1977 and 1983 while I was working on my undergraduate degree at SDSU. My favorite ride was up the hill to Valley Center, around a loop, and back home. Place has sure changed in the last couple of decades. Used to be a nice little town. Now, it is HUGE!

pgjackson

These pictures were all taken with an iPhone4, except for the first picture. That was with my DSLR.

pgjackson

Here's the map of the ride
https://maps.google.com/?q=https://sha...10512-1133.kml

pgjackson

Here's another shot of the valley from the top of the 78 hill.

coasting 

loved the photo show.

is it tough to ride in the dry heat?

Adrianinkc

Great pics and ride.

pgjackson

Well, it was about 80 when I did the ride with a fairly significant breeze blowing. I like the heat. I prefer to be hot than cold. This particular valley tends to be one the hottest places in Southern California in the summer. When I was in Iraq, it was hotter here during the summer than it was over in the desert. Everyone thinks San Diego is 76 degrees year round...we get in the 100's frequently and we're only about 20 miles from the coast.

SD has three distinct weather zones. The "coastal" area is normally cool and breezy...this is the stereotypical SD weather. Then there's the "inland" area which is the area from about 5-20 miles inland from the coast. Normally about 5-10 degrees hotter than the coastal area. Then east of the inland area is the "mountain/desert" area and it is just blistering in the summer. San Pasqual is right on the border of the inland and desert areas. In the winter it's the opposite. The coastal area gets cool but nothing really cold. The inland area gets cold, but not really freezing. The desert area actually gets lots of snow.

MrClyde

Nice photos, thanks for sharing. I rode across the Lake Hodges Bridge this morning riding to work in RB.

There is the SLR bike path, then take S. Santa Fe through Vista, or ride down the coast and cut over on Palomar Airport Road, or La Costa / El Camino Real / Rancho Santa Fe Rd / San Elijo / Elfin Forest.
Depends from where in Oceanside to where in Escondido.

JustinHorne

Wow! I'm impressed.

pgjackson

I actually impressed my self with how they came out. Very surprised with the camera on the iPhone4. Had to do a little adjusting with Photoshop, but overall I'd say the quality is on par with most P&S cameras...just without a zoom.

ilvwhtgrls

nice thanks. i'll have to check it out the next time I ride in SD.

pgjackson

There's no easy way to get from the coast to Escondido on bike.