For November's 200k, we're changing the date, route and ride organizer. Jonah will lead the Missions (Nipaquay-Icayme) 200k on Sat, Nov 18 starting from the Ralphs La Jolla Village Square next to the Nobel trolley station.
From the square, you'll ride north along the coast to Carlsbad, where you'll turn inland at Grand Ave to cross Hwy 78 using the Jefferson St overpass. Working a little to climb Fire Mountain, you'll reach the first control at San Luis Rey Bakery after passing Mission San Luis Rey. The bakery offers a wide selection of pastries and traditional Mexican pan dulce and conchas to go with your coffee. The extra calories will be needed for the lumpy part of the route not too far down the road.
After the control, you'll continue east on Hwy 76 until you reach Bonsall where you'll start your climb up West Lilac Rd. Though not steep, it is 4 miles of exposed climbing as you reach the summit when you cross Old Hwy 395. As you continue on West Lilac Rd, you'll cross what seems like an ordinary freeway bridge while riding over it. In fact it is that bridge with its iconic span which when you have driven on I-15 freeway, you've often wondered what road deserved such an architectural endeavor. Here's the link to Ken Kramer's About San Diego segment that recounts the story on the West Lilac Rd bridge.
Continuing on West Lilac Rd then Lilac Rd, you'll climb up to Valley Center, where you'll reach the highest point on the ride as you crest on Valley Center Rd just after Woods Valley Rd. You'll descend down into Escondido where you'll pick up the Escondido Creek bike path. A nice quiet route through town, there are several street crossings as you make your way to Harmony Grove Rd where you'll then take Del Dios Hwy toward Rancho Santa Fe. Climbing up the Three Witches of San Dieguito Rd, you'll ride through 4S Ranch to reach Pomerado Rd which will take you down to Mission San Diego in Mission Valley. Your westward trek will take you to Presidio Hill, the site of Cosoy where the Kumeyaay people resided long before Junipero Serra's arrival with his Spanish cohorts to set up the first mission in 1769.
Your return to the finish will follow the usual Rose Creek and Rose Canyon back to the Ralphs Center in University City.
If you are joining us for the first time, you will need: