This 300k gives riders a chance to circumnavigate the Salton Sea. As the title suggests, it is designed to be fast with only 3,000 feet of total elevation gain and just a handful of traffic lights in Westmoreland, Cochella and Salton City. From the start to Westmoreland, you are on the RAAM route. The flat desert landscape is dotted with ocotillos, cacti and sand, endless miles of sand. Turning left, you'll ride north along the eastern shore of the sea to Coachella, where you'll turn south back to Salton City. Around the sea, you'll be below sea level for the most part. As every rose has its thorns, the 15 mile stretch on the Borrego-Salton Sea Way from Salton City will be a climb on broken road surfaces and strong headwinds. Expect some free dermabrasion treatment as well if the wind kicks up sand. Before sunrise and after sunset, the desert in February will be chilly. Daytime temperature will be nice and cool. But in this era of climate unpredicability, I may be completely wrong in my forecast.
2 roads leading to Borrego Springs from San Diego are long and twisting (Banner Grade and Montezuma Valley Rd - aka Glass Elevator). From Escondido to Christmas Circle, Google Maps estimates about 1 hour 30 minutes travel time. Should you plan to stay in Borrego Springs before and/or after the brevet, please book early as it is a popular distination for northern snowbirds looking to escape the winter freeze. The Desert Sand RV Park appears to be out of business. As of 1/12/2023, I have elevated the Stanlunds Inn & Suites, 2771 Borrego Springs Rd APT 278, Borrego Springs, CA 92004 (https://www.stanlunds.com/) as the next cheap and cheerful option. If you have a penchant for clothing-optional swimming pools before or after a brevet, there is the Borrego Valley Inn at 405 Palm Canyon Dr, Borrego Springs, CA 92004 (https://www.borregovalleyinn.com/).
I have booked a room for the brevet HQ at the Borrego Springs Motel, 2376 Borrego Springs Rd, Borrego Springs, CA 92004 (http://www.borregospringsmotel.com/). The proprietor is Robin Reynolds. The room rate is $95 + 8% tax per night but she requires all bookings to be for 2 nights minimum. The brevet will end at Borrego Springs Motel just a block and a half north of Christmas Circle.
Here's a list of other motels for your consideration:
If you are joining us for the first time, you will need:
ALL SAN DIEGO RANDONNEURS EVENTS ARE ONLY OPEN TO PARTICIPANTS WHOSE RUSA MEMBERSHIP IS CURRENT.
You will need to register for this ride in advance. There is no day-of registration. Start/Finish will be staffed. SAG support and staffing at a control along the route will depend on volunteers available for this event.
All riders must follow RUSA rules. Helmet, lights and reflective gear are a must (lights and reflective gear must be worn between dusk to dawn). Riders must follow all local traffic laws and regulations.
Although bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists and are subject to the same rules and regulations, it is crucial that bicyclists pay attention to traffic signs and signals and follow all rules to reduce the risk of collisions, while on the road. Refer to the California Driver Handbook to become familiar with these rules. This excerpt is found at the DMV website for Sharing the Road (FFDL37) and can be read here.
This 200k version of the Salton Sea series ventures out to the Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge and back. Hence the brevet title for those who remember Sonny and Cher.
You will head out with the 300k riders to Westmoreland. Desert landscape on both sides, lots of ocotillos and other desert thriving plants. However, you'll ride out to the Sonny Bono Saltion Sea National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center before turning back. Retracing the route, you'll continue straight on Hwy 86 to Salton City before turning west on the Borrego Salton Sea Way. Expect headwinds and possible sandstorms as you climb back to Borrego Springs on a section of fairly crappy roads. It will add flavor to your ride description that you'll post on Strava! Very few traffic lights and only 2 controls between the start and finish. Just a lot of sand.
2 roads leading to Borrego Springs from San Diego are long and twisting (Banner Grade and Montezuma Valley Rd - aka Glass Elevator). From Escondido to Christmas Circle, Google Maps estimates about 1 hour 30 minutes travel time. Should you plan to stay in Borrego Springs before and/or after the brevet, please book early as it is a popular distination for northern snowbirds looking to escape the winter freeze. If you like to stay at an offbeat place, there is the Deserts Sands Vintage RV Park at 277 Palm Canyon Dr, Borrego Springs, CA 92004 (https://desertsandsrvpark.net/) where you can rent out various old school camper trailers at a reasonable price (Don't mention you're part of a randonneuring event: in a prior non-San Diego organized brevet back in 2019, the organizer inadvertantly pissed off the manager). If you have a penchant for clothing-optional swimming pools before or after a brevet, there is the Borrego Valley Inn at 405 Palm Canyon Dr, Borrego Springs, CA 92004 (https://www.borregovalleyinn.com/).
This 100k celebrates 2023 International Women's Day on March 8. Theme of this populaire is paying homage to the women who have established their legacies in San Diego for their efforts in making our beloved hometown "America's Finest City."
The ride starts on the southwest corner of Balboa Dr and El Prado, just west of the Laurel Street Bridge, by the Kate Sessions statue. Known as the "Mother of Balboa Park", her life's work created this horticultural paradise that also includes theaters and museum, all of which successive generations have come to relax, to explore and to love. You'll ride toward Mission Hills, the Presidio and Mission Bay to connect up to the Rose Creek and Rose Canyon bike paths to UCSD. Descending down the I-5 bike path, you'll ride through Carmel Valley and onto San Dieguito Rd. The first control is the Helen Woodward statue located by the entrance of the Helen Woodward Animal Center. Her life has been devoted animal welfare, resulting in her establishing the animal center which now bears her name. A little further down the road in the Village of Rancho Santa Fe, you'll reach the Lilian Rice statue located in North Village Park by The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. In 1920, she took on the assignment as the lead architect to design Rancho Santa Fe, which became one of the first master planned communities in California. "True beauty lies in simplicity" was her inspiration in bringing the Spanish Revival architecture to this exclusive community.
Turning toward the Pacific Ocean on Linea Del Cielo along the undulating ridgeline, you'll arrive in Solana Beach. There is the Lofty Coffee Cafe control where you may stop for some refreshments. Making your way up Torrey Pines, you'll descend down La Jolla Shores into downtown La Jolla to reach the Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial next to the La Jolla Recreation Center. Many cherished cultural and educational institutions in San Diego are the results of her charitable work and contributions, demonstrating that "The most important and beautiful gift one human being can give to another is, in some way, to make life a little better to live." From La Jolla, you'll continue through Pacific Beach and Mission Beach to climb up Presidio Hill. Your return will be from the east of Balboa Park, riding on El Prado, passing the California Tower and crossing the Laurel St Bridge to the finish by the Kate Sessions statue.
Weather permitting, San Diego Randonneurs will host a picnic for all finishers by providing food and beverages we may legally serve in the park.
All riders must follow RUSA rules. For events that will start and/or finish in the dark, helmet, lights and reflective gear are a must (lights and reflective gear must be worn between dusk to dawn). Riders must follow all local traffic laws and regulations.
Bringing back a 2019 brevet route. This ride will start near the border in San Ysidro.
Starting from the Best Western Americana Inn in San Ysidro, you'll make your way north along San Diego Bay through Downtown San Diego and Mission Bay to reach Mt Soledad to the Veterans Memorial and the cross to help you warm up. Turning inland, you'll continue on the 56 bike path to Camino Del Sur to connect up to Carmel Valley Rd, passing the foot of Black Mountain to reach Lake Hodges and Escondido. On Old Hwy 395, you'll continue north to Rainbow to enter Riverside County, passing Temecula and Lake Elsinore. You'll ride through Temescal Valley to reach the Trader Joes in south Corona where you turn around.
Retracing the route south to Hwy 76, you'll turn right to make your way toward the coast through Bonsall, connecting up to the San Luis Rey bike path that follows along Hwy 76 to Oceanside. You'll ride down the coast through the various North San Diego beach communities of Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach and Del Mar before climbing up Torrey Pines bluff to reach UCSD. Once back in La Jolla, you'll follow the western curve to Pacific Beach and Mission Beach, crossing the Ingraham St bridges over the bay to arrive at the San Diego River bike path. You'll ride through Old Town to avoid the busy section of Pacific Hwy before return to it on Washington St. From there, you'll backtrack on the same roads and bike paths to reach the finish.
Northern Most Angelo's
From the start at Angelo’s Burgers in Oceanside, riders will hop on the San Luis Rey River Trail to College Dr and then tackle the first climb up Sleeping Indian Rd to Fallbrook. Descending down to Santa Margarita River, you'll begin a series of climbs on De Luz Rd. This section of Riverside County has very few car traffic on the weekend. Before the drought, avocado groves dominated the hilly landscape. De Luz Rd becomes Rancho California Rd, where you'll enjoy a nice descent into Temecula, riding through the old town center. Over the years, Temecula has become a popular destination for wine tasting as may wineries emerged.
Leaving Temecula, you'll continue south by climbing up Rainbow Valley Rd to reach Rainbow. After an extended descent on Rice Canyon Rd to Hwy 76, you'll reach the Couser Canyon Rd. Passing a cattle pasture by the San Luis River, your ascent will be under canopies of overhanging avocado tree branches until the top. From Lilac Rd, you'll reach Circle R which will take you back down to Old Hwy 395. The last major climb of the day will be your ride up Twin Oaks Valley Rd. You'll ride through Elfin Forest and Harmony Grove on the recently repaved road to Escondido, turning left on Del Dios Highway riding west through the Village of Rancho Santa Fe to Del Mar, passing Lake Hodges on your left. The last stretch of the brevet will be up the coast to Oceanside.
Street parking is available near the start on Windward Wy and Tremont St.
The route has been finalized with the controls in place for the Missions 600k, subject to final refinements. This route was inspired while my son was studying the "Mission Era" for his 4th grade California history lessons. During his research, I learned that these missions, built approximately 30 miles apart, were about a day's journey by horseback, as though they were controls along the El Camino Real. Though much of this lore may have been just myth created by the Automobile Club of Southern California to encourage people to drive their cars, it seems only appropriate as a counterpoint to transform this mythical trail into a randonneur's adventure to ride our bicycles through Southern California. Instead of the usual coastal travel, this 600k will venture inland along Hwy 126 to reach Missions San Fernando and San Gabriel before returning to the coast. In 40 hours or less, participants will pass 9 of the 21 missions, reaching Mission Basilica San Diego, the last on this route, though chronologically was the first mission founded by Spanish missionaries led by Junipero Serra. While on this brevet, you'll also pass through the diverse regions where various indigenous peoples continue to reside, from the Chumash in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties to the Kumeyaays in San Diego County who first made contact with Serra's party back in 1769.
Highlights of this route:
Drop bag support - Each rider is allowed 1 drop bag (back pack or gym bag) that you can leave with the organizer at the Santa Maria start. It will be ready for you at the Rosemead overnight control. We will bring your bag to the finish control in Hotel Circle/Mission Valley.
Start/overnight/finish controls - Participant will be responsible for booking your own rooms at the start, overnight control and finish, if needed. For the overnight control, there is the Hoilday Inn a couple of blocks down the street. You will need to pick up and drop off your drop bags at Quality Inn.
Rider limit - There will be a 30-rider limit. If registrations reach the limit, a wait-list will be created. If you would like to be on the waitlist, please send me an email at sdrandos@gmail.com.
Travel to the start - by train:
Travel to the start - by rental car (highly recommended):
Travel to the start from out of state:
At the finish:
Life happens. If you need to cancel before the start, here is the refund policy: No refund if cancel April 1, 2023 and after.
If you have questions, please feel free to contact me at sdrandos@gmail.com.
This brevet is organized for randonneurs who are heading to PBP in the 90-hour start groups. It should give you a chance to work out any night start logistics issues before your big endeavor in France.
Starting from Escondido, you'll make your way to Bonsall before continuing along Old Highway 395 through Rainbow, Temecula and Lake Elsinore to Corona. From Corona, you'll start to ride west on Foothill Parkway and Green River Road before hopping onto a short section of the Santa Ana River Trail, exiting at Gypsum Canyon Road. Not far down the road you'll come to Santiago Canyon Road, a long stretch of road rolling through the backcountry of Orange County. You'll re-enter the suburban landscape at Trabuco Canyon Road, making your way south toward San Clemente at Ave Pico, where you will ride south along the Pacific Coast with the wind behind you, passing the soon to be dismantled San Onofre Nuclear Generation Station (SONGS), San Onofre State Beach and Camp Pendleton. For the finish, you'll ride down to Encinitas before making your way back to Escondido through San Marcos.
Parking is available in the mall. Plenty of restaurants and markets in the area. Between mid-night and sunrise (07:00), most businesses will be closed except for gas station convenience stores. If time and staffing permit, we'll organize a staffed control to provide food and drinks.
To celebrate RAAM in 2023, this brevet will follow Day 1's race course on Day 1.
Details to follow.
To all who are starting at the 20th Edition of Paris-Brest-Paris on this day, "Bon courage!" This 200k is for us staying at home and will ride vivaciously through you. Similar to PBP, except just a mere 1,000k less, is an out and back route from Oceanside to Imperial Beach. The lazy summer Sunday is about having a fun cruise by the beaches, escaping the inland heat. Coffee stops are encouraged.
Leaving Mance Buchanon, you'll jump on the San Luis Rey River Trail to the coast, heading south through the various coastal communities. Turning inland at Carmel Valley Rd passing the Los Penasquitos Lagoon, you'll take the UCSD bike path along I-5. After the Rose Canyon and Rose Creek bike paths, you'll ride through Crown Point, cross the San Diego River and climb over Nimitz Dr to ride along the east/southbound portion of Harbor Dr passing the marinas along San Diego Bay and the Embarcadero waterfront. You can cut over to Pacific Hwy at Ash St or follow along Harbor Dr all the way past Seaport Village. The turnaround point is at Triton Coffee just off of the Bayshore Bikeway in Imperial Beach.
On the return leg of the route, you'll ride through Pacific Beach on Cass St and make your way on the La Jolla Bike Path that follows along the foot of Mt Soledad to climb Soledad Ave and then Hillside Dr in Hidden Valley before descending down the lower portions of Via Capri to Hidden Valley Rd, where you'll then continue up to UCSD on Torrey Pines Rd. For any Cat in the Hat fans who are riding this brevet, the Hidden Valley route will take you close to the La Jolla residence of Theodore Geisel, aka Dr Seuss. Purportedly the landscape and flora around Mt Soledad and the Torrey Pines areas were inspirations to many of Dr Seuss's illustrations.
It’s time, it’s time, an outing all dayTo ride on your bikes, take part in a brevetFrom Top to Bottom then back to the TopA 200k journey with nary a stop.To pedal and ride, then ride and pedalTo test your strength and measure your mettle.Speed down through a valley then sweat up a hillOf new sights and adventures you have your fill.When reaching the ride's finish this you will know:Oh, oh, the places you'll go!
And nne of the many places we get to go is Paris-Brest-Paris!
Despite the easy ride heading south, the northbound journey may offer a slight challenge as the breeze from the north will provide a descent workout. Parking is available at Mance Buchanon Park. There are plenty of spots available by the bike path entrance if you are there early and bathrooms are just across the road.
