Crusin' The OC - Bike Path Heat Adventure

Crusin' The OC-Bike Paths route.

66F when I rolled out at 0430 today. Caught the Sprinter train over to Couch St. in Oceanside. Then a few mile warm-up with ample time to check the Pier. Around noon today, the RAAM Teams will set off for their cross country race. Wouldn't that be nice to do some day? That's way out of my reach. Maybe a RandoRAW route would suffice instead?

Chatted with Point Loma Keith in the parking lot, before the group started off. Mel Cutler came down from LA yesterday for the ride. Sam Thomas from Fallbrook, Dan Phillips with ride in from his Oceanside home. Troy Buss from Carlsbad was to meet us up in Dana Point. After lots of chit-chat, we rolled out at 0600, anticipating a warm riding day in inland Orange County, CA.

Passing thru the Marine Base, traffic was nil. Much different than at the same time on a weekday. Stopped off at San Onofre Campground bathroom #1, the last one northward. For some reason, this one is always open year-round. Trestles Path brought the usual multitude of surfers carrying their boards. Watch out for those swinging tail rudders!

San Clemente town was a pleasant ride thru... guess it's still too early for the coffee shop dwellers on the main drag thru town. Temps were really nice as we passed thru Doheny Park parking lot/bike path. Sam pointed out where he went down after hitting a speed bump a while back. OUCH! Troy was waiting at the Golden Lantern intersection. We opted for a Dana Point bathroom break, where Keith took forever. Next up was the short, steep Cove Road.

The gruppo soon made it's way along the overview bike path. Looking down on a few new beach homes under construction. $5mil and up there! After a short loop-around, the route hits Salt Creek Bike Trail. After leaving Sea Terrace Park, this skirts a nice golf course as it climbs inland. If you're not familiar with all these bike paths, it's best to plug the route into your Garmin type computer, or you might miss a turn.

Keith lost one of his lenses somewhere. Maybe you'll find it?

We were soon off on Niguel road for a short downhill run before turning into Irvine Park. They have a lake there called Sulfur Springs. Must be some history there with that name. Soon we were on the Aliso Creek Trail headed northward. Moulton Pkwy. took us to the JIB Control stop. Mel loaded up with a jumbo egg sandwich, while the rest of us were loaded and ready to go. Keith had lost one of his lenses somewhere while putting on his mirror... great photo-op there!

After a slash on roads, we jumped on San Diego Bike Path westward. Not even close to the city of San Diego, so don't know why they named it after the San Diego River Channel? Harvard Ave. took us northward again on Como/Peters Cyn Bike Path. Made a loop over to Irvine Trail, which eventually led us to Jamboree Road. Then it's a climb up to the 1/2-way point at Chapman Chevron/Subway Control.

Several TT cyclists there hanging around in the shade. So did we. Dan wasn't feeling that great and opted to leave early for the long haul down Santiago Cyn. Troy, Sam & I soon followed suit. Keith & Mel left later. Temps were supposed to be real warm today, but with the breeze, didn't feel that hot. We had a lengthy regroup at Cook's Corner. I managed to ride over and get some footage of  "Harley Town".

Aliso Creek Trail is a nice downhill ride, passing over several bridges and lots of shade on our way southeast. We exited the Trail near Laguna Hill High School and after a climb or two, made our way onto Forbes Trail. They have added a new section of smooth Bike Path. This soon leads cyclists to believe that they can miss all the local traffic and the Mission Viejo Station. Not so, as I re-conned the Trail to dirt and a big fence! Regroup at the local shops. where Sam pick up some caffeine/nuts & Dan water to wash away his stomach problems. Keith & Mel rode past on a mission. We soon followed and joined up again on the San Juan River Trail. Next stop was Dana Point.

Dan wasn't feeling it at Cook's Corner, but came on strong later!

Now well over 100 miles, we said our good-byes to Troy at Lantern Park. and soon flew on the Bikeway toward San Clemente. Sam had thoughts about jumping on wheel of a electric bike, but backed off. Group made good time thru the heavy traffic of San Clemente town. The race was on after Trestles, as Dan was getting his legs back again. I chatted with a guy riding a MTB near San Onofre Plant. He used to be really large, but for years I would occasionally meet him riding his bike from San Clemente down to Las Pulgas 3x per week. He since has lost lots of fat and has a new MTB!

Final regroup at Campground bathroom #1. We watered up and told a few stories. Then it was off to the races toward the finish. I rode with Mel as we made our way thru the Camp and back to Oceanside again. He stopped off at the LaQuinta Inn to pick up his bag before hopping the next Metro Train back to LA land. After a little little chat with the Randos in the parking lot, I was off back to San Marcos.

The day wasn't as hot as the forecast predicted. With a light breeze and afternoon clouds, the ride was quite pleasant as temps only reached the mid-90's.

Route Video

- randorides