Main Divide Road To Santiago Peak Recon

N. Main Divide Rd. - 15% talcum powder

Needed to update the route knowledge and pictures for the new "Santiago Peak Trail" route I was submitting. What an idea, huh? Didn't want to ride the whole route from Oceanside so I took the Metrolink train up to San Juan Capistrano and rode up via Ortega Hwy. Took one lot of pics on this route. Route included the climb up Ortega Highway from San Juan Cap., N. Main Divide Road to Santiago Peak and then down to 4-Corners, where I turned and went downhill via Harding Truck Trail to Modjesta Canyon and the Aliso Creek BikeWay to Mission Viejo and took the Oso Capistrano Bike Path down to the finish at SJC.

What a ride. The 29'er climb up Ortega Highway wasn't that memorable. Fortunately, all the miles and miles of traffic were going down as I was going up! Not that many cars passed. There were a few no bike lane sections, even nearing the top and I did pull off for some big trucks where applicable. I was fired up and made Ok time up to the Firefighter Memorial at the Main Divide junction, where a last fill-up was required.

Santiago Peak View to the Ocean

N. Main Divide was as tough as always. In fact, seemed worse from the last time I came down this way. Several hike-a-bike sections and I did give away my reserve frozen bottle of water to 2 hikers coming down. Took me over 3 hours to get up there!

Low on water, I didn't stay too long at the peak. Views were great and I got down to 4-corners as quick as I could. Did see one riding just starting up and we chatted a bit. He said I was "crazy" too! Harding Truck Trail is a nice trail all the way down. Real fast and a climb near the end. Thankfully, the Nature Museum was open on Modjesta Canyon Road and I got some cold water and Gatorade.

Water At Last! - Modjesta Nature Center

Didn't do the Modjesta Grade climb, instead went around the longer way. Still seemed as much climbing. Hit the Aliso Creek BikeWay going downhill this trip . Very nice and fast fun into Mission Viego Metro station. I cut the route short here and got some water and ice cream at the nearby AM/PM before boarding the train back to Oceanside. Long 12 hour day and I was cooked!

Interesting ride and I managed to take the necessary photos for a decent ride video for the new route.

The full approved route can be seen at: http://youtu.be/sTyFCXSJkmM

happy trails,
randorides