Putting this ride up as some have expressed interest either to complete their ACP SR series or just to take part in the centenary of the first organized 300k brevet. Like the 200k last year, there will be medals passed out to the finishers if you are into hardware.

I had Corona 300k as the intended route. But given the possibility of high temps especially in Riverside County, I opted for an alternate version of the Missions 300k that will keep everyone on the coast for as long as possible. This 300k will be a low key affair: you show up, you ride, you finish, you get a medal. At the finish, I'll have Corona cervezas (the good Corona) and Mexican snacks. For atmosphere, I might even stream mariachi music. The 300k centenary will be as French as Cinco de Mayo, or Once de Junio for this occasion.

For parking, please park on the street and not in the parking lot. The neighborhood is safe.

You'll start from Highland Ranch Park in Carmel Mountain Ranch. Why this park? Because I can walk from my home to the start and finish. You'll head south to jump on the 52 bike path from Tierrasanta to Santee where you'll ride down the Father Junipero Serra Rd (hence the San Diego Padres), passing the old "mission" dam to reach Mission San Diego in, you guess it, "Mission" Valley. Then you'll climb out of the San Diego River valley via the I-15 bike path to Normal Heights. Along Adams Ave and then Park Blvd, you'll make your way through the urban quarters of Normal Heights, University Heights and Hillcrest. You'll enter Balboa Park from the east and ride through the park on El Prado, which is closed to car traffic. The control will be in front of the Museum of Us (formerly Man) and the Tower of California, San Diego Randonneurs' logo. Then you'll cross the Laural St bridge into Bankers Hill before making your way to Presidio Park, the location of Cosoy, the original Kumeyaay village where the Spanish settled/usurped upon arrival in San Diego and founded the first mission site before moving to the inland location.

From there, the route takes you north to Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside just off of the San Luis Rey bike path. Returning to Oceanside, you'll continue on into Orange County. If you have the base pass to enter Camp Pendleton, you are welcome to ride through Mesa Stuart to access the bike path off of Las Pulgas Ave. If not, I-5 is traversable by bicycle. It seems intimidating with car traffic speeding by. In fact it is safe, especially during day time.

In OC, you'll continue along the coast through San Onofre and Trestles, then San Clemente and finally Dana Point before you turn inland on the San Juan bike path to reach Mission San Juan Capistrano, famous for the returning swallows. You'll catch a glimpse of the dome constructed of stone demolished by one of the many earthquakes in California. From San Juan Capistrano, you'll start your journey south along the same route to San Diego.

As the majestic Torrey Pines bluffs (hyperbole) come into view and cause you to shudder at the though of climbing up that road, you'll make a left to descend down Carmel Valley Rd where you'll jump on the 56 bike path to make your way back to Carmel Mountain Ranch. About half way to the finish, you'll get off the bike path and continue on Carmel Valley Rd, passing Black Mountain to your right before making your way to the finish.

CAUTION: Because there is a LONG stretch along the coast where you'll bike in both directions, your Garmin's navigation will play tricks on you by telling you to make U-Turns. A reminder that your southward trek does NOT start until you have reached Mission San Juan Capistrano. A good way to help you remember that fact is that the "3" in the Missions 300k means you will stop at "3" missions on this brevet.

WARNING: This route has been altered to minimize climbing that you'll have to negotiation through. But minimal is a relative term. For statistical comfort, the highest elevation will be 800 ft when you reach the summit on the 52 bike path at mile 17. That said, I designed the Thrice Loop 600k to be an easy ride and it ended up being described as arduously epic. Ergo the warning.