melgarpoe

Planning a ride to San Diego from LA this weekend and will need to get through the Camp Pendleton area. I've just requested access, but it appears that it's likely not going to be enough time to get approved.

Does anyone know if it's ok and/or legal to ride on the I-5 shoulder currently?

Thanks,

Michael

diphthong

yes. there was construction on both sides of the 5 fwy through the camp pendleton area for a while but pretty sure they're done with it. don't remember seeing any caltrans "orange" during that stretch on a recent drive. you can always show the id you submitted for clearance at the gate/sentry. if it works-great. if not, it's only a .5 mile backtrack to the north 5 fwy entrance. you'll exit at las pulgas. make a right at the stop sign, then a quick left into a bike path/concrete pathway that turns into the path path linking up w/san onofre state beach frontage road.

jimincalif

Yes, you can ride I-5, can be lots of debris on the shoulder, I did so last Sept, construction was all done. Drove this a couple of weeks ago and it all looked clear.

Note that Camp Pendleton has advance online registration required for riding on the base, but you don't receive an approval back. No news is good news. As Ooga says, show up at the gate, you may get waved thru, you may get your licensed checked and scanned and allowed aboard, or you may get turned back.

melgarpoe

Thanks Jim & ooga. It's been a few years since since the last time, but I've ridden the freeway several times and don't recall it being too bad. But unless I'm pressed for time, I recall that riding on the military base was a nicer way to go.

Thanks again for the replies. Much appreciated.

TrojanHorse

The base is definitely more pleasant but the freeway isn't terrible either, especially on a weekend when the traffic slows down to bike pace. The last bunch of times I've done it (Jan & Feb) the shoulders were remarkably clear of debris.

*DO* go through the rest stop rather than assuming that speeding mustang with no turn signal won't be turning into the rest stop.

Elvo

Yes but you have to take every exit

jimincalif

Very good advice. There is a "Bicycles must Exit" sign at the rest stop off ramp - for good reason.

McBTC

There have been a few military exercises lately where even old 101 south of the cliffs campground at San Onofre has been closed (assuming you don't want to try out-running a mastiff)... which is a bummer if you don't know its going on because that's a 6 mile backtrack to Basilone; and, technically-- it's illegal to ride the I-5 shoulder from Basilone to Las Pulgas but, there's no other way to go so, I hear the CHP turns a blind eye to that infraction when the bike route is closed.

TrojanHorse

OK, sore subject - that happened to me last July and the marine wanted me to backtrack. I completely understand but... could you at least put a sign up WAAAAAAAY back where I'd need to alter my route? He said no, they didn't have any control over the (mumbled part I didn't get). For some reason I though it was further than 6 miles, but of course, that's 6 miles two ways, and 6 extra miles of fun ol' freeway riding.

McBTC

It'll be closed for while on the 7th…

Note to organizers– how about sweeping out the Interstate-5 underpass?



TrojanHorse

That is some pristine pavement for a triathlon that's for sure...

Beachgrad05

I rode thru this past weekend. The MP at the Las Pulgas entrance just looked at my license. There was not check to be sure I was on the OK list or not. Of course, they know that I cannot outrun anyone on my bike let alone MP's in a vehicle and dogs.

stardognine

Thanks for the info, from the future. 😉 I just figured out this morning, that I may NOT ride through the base (going North), sir. I was googling a bypass & found this thread, so thought I’d post. ✌️

The biggest issue now, is rain. I’ve ridden freeways plenty, but this rain sucks, for riding in. Tomorrow is supposed to be way nicer. 😎