THIS ROUTE HAS BEEN REVISED FOR SEPTEMBER TO ACCOUNT FOR WEATHER CONDITIONS.
THE BIKE PATH FROM LAS PULGAS RD TO THE SAN ONOFRE STATE BEACH SOUTH ENTRANCE WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 06:00 AND 18:00 ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT. Caltrans is authorizing passage by bicycles on I-5 between Las Pulgas to Basilone Rd by opening up the shoulders in both directions. This closure will impact your northbound leg by adding another 9.3 miles on the freeway. The trail should be reopened after 18:00 for your southbound leg.
This is your last chance at an ACP 600k that will get you into the 2nd preregistration group for PBP in 2023 after the 1000/1200 finishers this year pick the prime start group spots.
The low registration cost means that this 600k will be self supported: at the start, I will inspect your bikes and give you my kind words; at the finish I will offer my congratulations; more likely I'll offer you a beer than food; in between, you are on your own. Given that the three 200k loops bring you back to the Encinitas Park and Ride twice on this 600k, you should have access to your parked car. You are welcome to book a room near the park and ride to change clothes, clean up and sleep. This brevet will also likely return back to brevet cards for proof of passage to avoid the issues caused by alleged failing bike computers.
Because of likely heat wave that has become common place in San Diego in September, the 0500 start allows you to clear finish inland portions so that you can make your way back to the coast. Changing the 2nd loop ensures that your ride to Irvine will be after sunset.
This route is the 600k version of the San Diego 3 Loops series. The first 200k loop will have the most climbing as you ride toward the north inland portions of San Diego County. Riding on El Camino Real, you'll roll your way through the rural neighborhoods of Bonsall and Fallbrook riding on quiet country roads until you reach Rainbow for a quick refreshment. You'll make your way south on Old Hwy 395 to reach West Lilac Rd, where you'll continue east through more farmlands of San Diego County into Valley Center, stopping at Bates Nut Farm. Reaching the highest elevation on the route when you turn toward Lake Wohlford, you make your descent to Escondido, passing Lake Hodges on your ride to Poway, reintering the suburban landscape of San Diego. Eventually you'll make your way back to the coast at UCSD and returning to Encinitas along the coast to complete the first loop. Here is the link for the 1st loop.
The next 200k loop will take you north into Orange County as I ran out of flat roads in San Diego County. From Encinitas, you'll return to Coast Hwy and make your way into Carlsbad and Oceanside. You will need to jump on I-5 in order to pass Camp Pendleton. Unfortunately the base website does not specify when the base is closed to recreational cyclists at night. If you have a valid DBIDS pass to enter the Marine Corps base, you are welcome to try to take Vandergrift Blvd and then Stuart Mesa to Las Pulgas, but expect bonus miles and added elevation gain vs the I-5 passage. Here's the link to the Camp Pendleton's page on bicycle passage and requirements. When you reach Dana Point, you'll jump on the San Juan Creek river trail and start your trek inland through the various "Laguna" communities until to reach Irvine. Your return leg will take you onto Moulton Pkwy and then Golden Lantern back to Dana Point, retracing your route back to Encinitas for the park and ride. You will be riding this section at night on I-5. If you are tired, stop and take a ditch nap. On the southbound leg, you will ride through San Onofre State Beach parking lot before reaching I-5. Though the park will be packed with campers, you might be able to find a picnic table and benches available to lie down and rest. Here's the link for the 2nd loop.
The final 200k loop is a somewhat easy coastal cruise from Encinitas to Coronado. For the procrastenator's edition, you'll start inland toward Rancho Santa Fe and 4S Ranch until you reach the 56 bike path. Making your way back to the coast, you'll climb the UCSD bike path and descend down Gilman Dr to connect to the Rose Canyon and Rose Creek bike paths to Mission Bay. You'll continue on to Coronado and back, returning through Point Loma at the entrance to the Cabrillo Monument and making your way back through La Jolla. To avoid the speeding traffic on Torrey Pines Rd, you'll wind your way through the foot of Mt Soledad to connect up to Via Capri to reach Torrey Pines Rd via Hidden Valley Rd. Returning to UCSD is the last climb before riding along the coast back to Encinitas for the finish. Here is the RWGPS link to the 3rd loop.
You may park your car at the Encinitas Park and Ride where you can return after each loop. There are hotels and motels along the way. You are responsible for arranging your own lodging. We will not be providing any drop bag service.
Here is the route split into 3 loops. Most bike computers may have issues struggle with the full 600k loop, especially the custom turn-by-turn directions.
ALL SAN DIEGO RANDONNEURS EVENTS ARE ONLY OPEN TO PARTICIPANTS WHOSE RUSA MEMBERSHIP IS CURRENT AND HAVE REGISTERED FOR THIS EVENT.
Randonneuring is a self-supporting event – There will be no day of registration. There will be no staffed controls except at the start. Finish control staffiing is TBD. You will check in at receipt controls or answer info questions shown on your brevet card.
All riders must follow RUSA rules. Helmets are required for everyone who participates in this event. Riders must follow all local traffic laws and regulations.