4th Of July Gravel Ride

Route is similar to 11-City Loop

I had the SCOTT MTB modified for mixed surface riding with the carbon fork and quicker tires. John was wanting to do a local ride on his Charge Cooker MTB. Standard tires wouldn't seat up tubeless, so he would have to order different tubeless ready tires for a later ride. I thought John had lots going on, so I re-scheduled the buddy-ride for another day. I'd make this a recon ride to check out some new dirt stuff.

Penasquitos Cyn: A few bikes & lots of hikers

I had plotted out a "gravel" route that would mimic the 11-City Loop Permanent. Well, sort of anyway. With limited trails around here and rando route rules, it's a real tough job to create a ride-able route within the rando time frame. Buggered out early and picked up a few gravel trails on the way to Encinitas and cool temps. Nailed the trail off Garden View Road.. goes over to Quail Gardens. That one will work.

Gobs of cyclists cycling along the coast today. Made a donut stop celebration as I sat in the shade along Coast Hwy. and watched the riders pass. Made good time on the roads and mixed it up with the roadies. Schwalbe G-ONE tires rolled fast, even at 2.80" width!

Temps reached Garmin hi of 103F

Penasquitos Canyon started out quiet, then became packed with hikers as I neared the Ranch House/Black Mtn. Road. Nice chat with the Ranger there. Bike Path to a fav. stop at Del Sur Circle K. Quiet there too.

Added a few new trails along San Dieguito Road. Felt great as the temps rose and so did the climbing around Del Dios Hwy. and a few back roads before joining the Escondido Creek Trail. Old guy was at the guard shack. I should have asked him for water as I was running out and had solid climbing ahead up toward Ridgeline Trailhead.

Shade break after dirt climbing

Empty... trailhead and Lakeview trail. Temps were around 100F for the last few hours of dusty climbing, but I was feeling good with some salty Shot Bloks. Nice ride down to San Marcos where a large 4th Of July picnic was displayed at Discovery Lake Park.

Picked up some ice-cream bars for the wife and made it home, dirty, dry and feeling quite good!

Full Route Video




- randorides