jsigone

You may have heard rumors that the base was closing access to cyclists after February 1st, but I got an update that I’d like to pass on to everyone about it below:
“Camp Pendleton wanted to give you an update on our visitor access policy. We value the great relationship we have with the area cycling community and wanted to develop a process allowing bicyclist's continued access to Camp Pendleton. By Mar. 1, bicyclist will be required to register in order to have access to the base. An online process will be complete mid-February and base access will be good for one year. Bicyclist will need to re-register every year. Until the registration process is finalized, bicyclists will still be able to enter the base with their U.S. or State government issued identification card just like now. After Mar. 1, all bicyclists will need to be registered and show their U.S. or State identification when entering the base. Once the registration process is up and running in a few weeks, we will share the link. Our goal is to maintain a great relationship with area riders but also balance that with security and protection for our Marines, Sailors, civilian employees and families. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

v/r, Carl

Carl B Redding Jr, APR+M Director, Public Affairs Marine Corps Installations West - MCB & MCAS Camp Pendleton”

Also, two riders on our Swami’s Wednesday ride were turned away at the front gate this morning because of a “new policy” of no more than 3 visits on base in 45 days. I contacted the Provost Marshal's Office in charge and was emailed the following incase this happens to you:



“My apologies for the confusion with some of the gate sentries. We often have a turn-over of personnel. The rule of "accessed the base more than three times in 45 days" should not be currently applied to bicyclists. Please ask to speak to a supervisor if this happens again. A final decision on the procedure for recreational bicyclists after 01 Feb 2016 has not been made. Respectfully, Joe A. Grabman Assistant Services Officer Support Services Division Provost Marshal's Office”

Tycho Brahe 

See also https://www.bikeforums.net/southern-c...l#post18473640

calamarichris

That is GREAT freaking news! Thank you so much for sharing it!
Great also that we now have to register. I hope they'll start booting the unappreciative, disrespectful from our ranks right off their access list.
I was just going to bed early right now, preparing for a sad, final passage through Pendleton tomorrow, but I'm so glad they're still permitting us on their base.
I was looking forward to a sweet ride tomorrow, but it will be even sweeter now that I know it won't be the last one ever.

God bless those Marines for putting up with us! If I see anyone misbehaving on Pendleton, I'm going to Cinzano their sorry butt.

calamarichris

I'm headin for Pendleton!

skidder

Ft. Hunter-Liggett (California Central Coast), did this a few years ago. You used to be able to go on the Hunter-Liggett base just by showing ID and vehicle insurance (if you were driving a car), but they've changed it to a pre-register system like they appear to be doing now at Camp Pendleton. You'd still have to carry some form of ID so if you get stopped they can easily verify your status before you can proceed. It might just be the Pentagon trying to establish some uniformity in base access control procedures for all military installations, which could be a good thing.

Nachoman

Thanks for the update. Please keep us posted.

calamarichris

Thanks indeed! I just rode 99.97 miles up to Dana Point, then out to Bonsall yesterday. Fortunately the MP gate guard stopped myself and another cyclist while a wayward semi-truck made a U-turn back out of the base. Ordinarily, I wouldn't want to delay the line of cars, but since I had a few minutes, I asked the MP if he knew the URL where we could register. He must have been one of the sentries who wasn't aware, because he said we had to have a military sponsor with us after Feb 1, to which the fellow cyclist next to me replied coyly, "Will you be my sponsah?"
It was a little breezy yesterday and I was too excited to reign in the ponies on the way up, but it was a great ride. Saw lots of other riders out there, everyone behaving themselves fortunately.
We're so lucky to live here, and I love that ride.

calamarichris

Here's a link reflecting what the OP posted above, as well as a temporary closure on 1/25-1/29 due to a training exercise: https://bikinginla.com/2016/01/23/we...bike-bill-yet/

There were signs on Pendleton yesterday saying something about shuttles being available.

bikeme

Great info. I thought it was done for good. Let's show respect when riding there. BTW, a lot of the marines and their families driving around base are wound-up pretty tight due to upcoming deployments and/or what they may have experienced in-theater. The last thing they need is to encounter some cyclist riding like an idiot.

TrojanHorse

Where do you go to find out the "last word" on access policy changes? I plan on riding through next Sunday (Feb 7) and I'd hate to get derailed at the last minute. I guess I can bring my reserve ID card and hope for the best.

jimincalif

Registration page is up. I just did it. Says to allow 7 days, so suggest you register ASAP.

Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton > About > Base Information > Base Access

TrojanHorse

Thanks Jim, I just did it too.

bikeme

Here is registration link: Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton > About > Base Information > Base Access > CampPendletonBikeRouteRequest

diphthong

tried several times late sunday/early monday. maybe the storm has something to do with my application not going through. or maybe so many cyclists applied,
we crashed the system. or maybe, i'm on the no cycling list. will try again manana.

TrojanHorse

Oh dear

diphthong

worked today. cool.

Lesper4

Screen doesn't do anything when I hit submit?

TrojanHorse

you must be on their black list too. Uh oh.

diphthong

try again in a few hours. i guess they got over my brazen affront to the installation last time i rode through and got a flat tire. the audacity!
i'm sure any transgression you may have perpetrated was of a lesser nature since you're a nicer guy than i am.

Nachoman

I just signed up. Better than the highway 5 shoulder!

Lesper4

I was able to submit via a link from FB that gave me a different page.

CbadRider

There were questions about the security of the original registration site. Supposedly the link to register has been changed to a more secure server.

bikeme

Does anyone who if we get an email to print out or is our name just on a list in their system?

calamarichris

I'm concerned about this too. It's been ten days and no word yet. Wondering if I need to waste a trip to the gate to find out they haven't received it, or...
...and I don't want to resubmit and overwhelm them with duplicate applications.

But I'll jump through whatever hoops they want, and just be glad to be permitted to ride on their wonderful roads instead of sucking carcinogens directly from I5's tailpipe.

TrojanHorse

I rode through today and it was easy as pie. I think I registered last week, say on Sunday? No notification but I had no trouble at the gate. The guard scanned the barcode on my license and off I went. Very easy & pleasant.