Seasonality in San Diego
08-06-20, 11:22 PM
#26
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yah, mesa grande is a chill road for sure. woulda done the harder, northern climb and back down today if i had more energy but i didn't and was happy with my ride as it was.
wind was perfect today north of santa ysabel to palomar. from julian south to campo, it was a bit much today.
rattlesnakes cannot strike/bite you unless they are curled up. in socal, they will generally hibernate from late november to late february. this time of year, they will be out early and late.
i'd be more worried about them if i were riding gravel/mtb bike. riding road, unless you're riding on the very rightmost edge of the road, i wouldn't worry about them. roads heat up pretty quick
during the warmer months and the area right next to the paved road will likely be too inhospitable for rattlesnakes from 9:30am-6pm. back in the day when i hiked vs cycling for exercise,
i can't tell you how many times i walked directly over a rattlesnake warming itself on the trail in the morning. looks just like a stick.
and yah, it was a tarantula. they keep early and late hours as well. fyi...the local variety can jump three feet to subdue prey. for humans tho, they're relatively harmless.
wind was perfect today north of santa ysabel to palomar. from julian south to campo, it was a bit much today.
rattlesnakes cannot strike/bite you unless they are curled up. in socal, they will generally hibernate from late november to late february. this time of year, they will be out early and late.
i'd be more worried about them if i were riding gravel/mtb bike. riding road, unless you're riding on the very rightmost edge of the road, i wouldn't worry about them. roads heat up pretty quick
during the warmer months and the area right next to the paved road will likely be too inhospitable for rattlesnakes from 9:30am-6pm. back in the day when i hiked vs cycling for exercise,
i can't tell you how many times i walked directly over a rattlesnake warming itself on the trail in the morning. looks just like a stick.
and yah, it was a tarantula. they keep early and late hours as well. fyi...the local variety can jump three feet to subdue prey. for humans tho, they're relatively harmless.
08-06-20, 11:29 PM
#27
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looks like the next 5 days or so along the 79 corridor are doable if you can be bothered to wake up early. temps and winds are both lowish before noontime
from descanso to palomar mtn. if you decide to ride on sat or sun and start from descanso/8 fwy, i would recommend heading north towards julian via the
s1/sunrise highway through the laguna mtns vs cuyamaca rancho state park. the cuyamaca stretch carries 4x the traffic. do the cuyamaca stretch on the 79
heading from north to south as it's nearly all downhill and a blast with good pavement.
from descanso to palomar mtn. if you decide to ride on sat or sun and start from descanso/8 fwy, i would recommend heading north towards julian via the
s1/sunrise highway through the laguna mtns vs cuyamaca rancho state park. the cuyamaca stretch carries 4x the traffic. do the cuyamaca stretch on the 79
heading from north to south as it's nearly all downhill and a blast with good pavement.
08-10-20, 11:47 PM
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I really loved Mesa Grande, Ooga-Booga, and can't wait to go back. Have you tried Black Canyon Road by any chance? I'm curious if its doable on a road bike or if it would be a big mistake.The pictures I saw online looked like pretty firm packed dirt.
08-11-20, 01:16 AM
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by taking the 78 and old julian rd. back to the start. 35-40 miles or so. hit the dirt part and got about a mile in.
was riding the road bike with '23's-as always cause i'm dumb like that-and encountered some "soup."
dismounted and walked for a spell and repeated that scenario about 4x in a half-mile stretch before i lost patience, turned around
and modified the ride. in retrospect, i probably shoulda kept going since i ended up doing something much dumber.
https://www.strava.com/activities/278727909
i'd still like to do it at some point but i'd want at least '28's to ride it. have three newer (to me) road bikes...two of which just might be able
to fit '28's. one bike i have can rock a '28 up front but largest is a '25 in back. been waiting for an absolutely bleepy weather day to play
tire swap boy to see what fits but it hasn't happened lately.
pretty sure the belgian waffle ride has utilized that road /portions of at some point along with other dirt/gravel in the area. you may want to try
googling belgian waffle ride for past routes and testimonials to give you an idea of what road bikes with different tire sizes can tolerate and on
what dirt roads.
it could have also been my dumb luck. it was spring...the roads were dry tho. maybe too dry. in my experience locally, there are some dirt roads
i'll hit once-4x a year. sometimes i can make it through on my '23's without stopping. sometimes one dismount. sometimes multiple dismounts.
none of those roads are longer than 5 miles tho. if i remember correctly, the dirt part of black canyon is about 10 miles. that could potentially
be a lot of walking.
08-11-20, 01:27 AM
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i'd also recommend nearby wynola rd and farmer rd up the hill closer to julian. if you park in that large gravel lot just north of the julian pie co/don's market complex in santa ysabel
at the 78/79 junction, you can tackle both mesa grande and the wynola/farmer loop. it is about 40 miles and a little over 4,000 el gain. you've got support in santa ysabel, wynola and julian.
08-11-20, 12:25 PM
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it's even better in spring when it's green.
i'd also recommend nearby wynola rd and farmer rd up the hill closer to julian. if you park in that large gravel lot just north of the julian pie co/don's market complex in santa ysabel
at the 78/79 junction, you can tackle both mesa grande and the wynola/farmer loop. it is about 40 miles and a little over 4,000 el gain. you've got support in santa ysabel, wynola and julian.
i'd also recommend nearby wynola rd and farmer rd up the hill closer to julian. if you park in that large gravel lot just north of the julian pie co/don's market complex in santa ysabel
at the 78/79 junction, you can tackle both mesa grande and the wynola/farmer loop. it is about 40 miles and a little over 4,000 el gain. you've got support in santa ysabel, wynola and julian.
I parked in that gravel lot when I did Mesa Grande, but there were signs all over the place saying customer parking only, so I parked on the street.
I am impressed by how much cycling you do with relatively old bikes. Every time I feel the urge to get a new bike I look at your list of bikes and how much cycling you do and fight the urge.
08-11-20, 12:26 PM
#34
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it's even better in spring when it's green.
i'd also recommend nearby wynola rd and farmer rd up the hill closer to julian. if you park in that large gravel lot just north of the julian pie co/don's market complex in santa ysabel
at the 78/79 junction, you can tackle both mesa grande and the wynola/farmer loop. it is about 40 miles and a little over 4,000 el gain. you've got support in santa ysabel, wynola and julian.
i'd also recommend nearby wynola rd and farmer rd up the hill closer to julian. if you park in that large gravel lot just north of the julian pie co/don's market complex in santa ysabel
at the 78/79 junction, you can tackle both mesa grande and the wynola/farmer loop. it is about 40 miles and a little over 4,000 el gain. you've got support in santa ysabel, wynola and julian.
08-11-20, 12:39 PM
#35
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Unfortunately, I can't fit more than 25s on mine.
I parked in that gravel lot when I did Mesa Grande, but there were signs all over the place saying customer parking only, so I parked on the street.
I am impressed by how much cycling you do with relatively old bikes. Every time I feel the urge to get a new bike I look at your list of bikes and how much cycling you do and fight the urge.
I parked in that gravel lot when I did Mesa Grande, but there were signs all over the place saying customer parking only, so I parked on the street.
I am impressed by how much cycling you do with relatively old bikes. Every time I feel the urge to get a new bike I look at your list of bikes and how much cycling you do and fight the urge.
i love the'80's-early 00's frames. the newer stuff just seems like (superlightweight) toys to me. lucked into that 2011 trek with about 500 miles on it so like new. i only specifically ride it on the all-day,
epic mountain rides because it is lighter and i feel a little less beat up. it's more of a tool to me. prefer to rock the vintage steel or vintage carbon on flatter centuries, bopping around town or the daily whatever
because those bikes just speak to me.
08-12-20, 12:22 AM
#36
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have never seen the signs for that lot. maybe i've just missed them (i'm usually very cognizant of those kinda things tho...not looking to get towed/blocked in/etc postride). maybe the signs are new.
i love the'80's-early 00's frames. the newer stuff just seems like (superlightweight) toys to me. lucked into that 2011 trek with about 500 miles on it so like new. i only specifically ride it on the all-day,
epic mountain rides because it is lighter and i feel a little less beat up. it's more of a tool to me. prefer to rock the vintage steel or vintage carbon on flatter centuries, bopping around town or the daily whatever
because those bikes just speak to me.
i love the'80's-early 00's frames. the newer stuff just seems like (superlightweight) toys to me. lucked into that 2011 trek with about 500 miles on it so like new. i only specifically ride it on the all-day,
epic mountain rides because it is lighter and i feel a little less beat up. it's more of a tool to me. prefer to rock the vintage steel or vintage carbon on flatter centuries, bopping around town or the daily whatever
because those bikes just speak to me.
I know what you mean about the superlightweight toy feel. But then again, I look at my 8 year old carbon bike and it looks almost brand new!
08-12-20, 12:31 AM
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Well, maybe "lots of signs" is an overstatement, but there are several in the paved parking lot and at least one at the entrance to the gravel lot. It was enough to warn me away, even though the place was pretty deserted.
I know what you mean about the superlightweight toy feel. But then again, I look at my 8 year old carbon bike and it looks almost brand new!
I know what you mean about the superlightweight toy feel. But then again, I look at my 8 year old carbon bike and it looks almost brand new!
08-12-20, 01:01 AM
#38
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Gravelstoke ? Home
also:
https://theradavist.com/
east county, the mtns and the desert should keep you busy. those along with the paved roads. i've got a little challenge for you...mostly paved with 7-8 dirt miles if you're game.
https://www.strava.com/activities/2314192584
Last edited by diphthong; 08-12-20 at 01:17 AM.
08-12-20, 10:56 AM
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try this site:
east county, the mtns and the desert should keep you busy. those along with the paved roads. i've got a little challenge for you...mostly paved with 7-8 dirt miles if you're game.
https://www.strava.com/activities/2314192584
east county, the mtns and the desert should keep you busy. those along with the paved roads. i've got a little challenge for you...mostly paved with 7-8 dirt miles if you're game.
https://www.strava.com/activities/2314192584
I am curious about getting a gravel bike, but as you say, I've got enough to keep me busy on the road this year.
08-12-20, 02:09 PM
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i did the boulder creek/ca hwy 79 loop clockwise which is how i recommend doing it. did it on '23's as always.
i think i only had to dismount to cross boulder creek and to climb a loose, steep hill for about 150 yards, otherwise,
stayed clipped in the whole time. you will want to take the descent down to boulder creek fairly slowly.
it's rideable but a little bumpy in spots. depending on your riding partner's tolerance for dirt on '23's, they will either be
challenged and exhilarated or grumpy and ready to wring your neck. do not take a “racing” wheelset or the pricey tires.
i think i only had to dismount to cross boulder creek and to climb a loose, steep hill for about 150 yards, otherwise,
stayed clipped in the whole time. you will want to take the descent down to boulder creek fairly slowly.
it's rideable but a little bumpy in spots. depending on your riding partner's tolerance for dirt on '23's, they will either be
challenged and exhilarated or grumpy and ready to wring your neck. do not take a “racing” wheelset or the pricey tires.
Last edited by diphthong; 08-12-20 at 10:01 PM.
