pgjackson

Took a ride out to San Elijo today through the "Elfin Forest". What an awesome ride. So beautiful out there and almost no traffic the whole time. Here are some photos.

Here is Old San Pasqual Road which parallels Hwy 78. It's a very nice twisty hill (about 8-9% for a mile) and a lot of fun to ride. Here it is at teh beginning of the ride, about half way up looking down



Here's another about 1/4 mile up the road, again looking down into San Pasqual Valley



A crazy house at the top of the 78 hill. There's not a flat wall or square room in this place. Taking forever to build.



Heading off into the forest.



Beautiful little farm on a hill



Here's another of that farm a little farther down the road. Directly behind me in this picture is a nasty chicken farm. Noisy, dirty and I was getting attacked by flies as I was taking the picture

pgjackson

No, I did not see any elves.



Just a beautiful winding road.



Made it to San Elijo. What a pituresque little town. Looks like a movie set.



Dropped in for a little lunch.



Lunch is served! As you can see, my bike is still outside...but the local sheriff was kind enough to post a guard. Pizza and beer...



All gone. Sheriff is still keeping a close watch.



Nice little stream on the way back.



I did not trespass, just took a photo. Interesting little bridge on Elfin Road.



That's all the photos I took. If you are ever in Escondido, I highly recommend the Elfin Forest.

pgjackson

Here's the map.
https://maps.google.com/?q=https://sha...10521-1108.kml

Sourpuss Magee

That Giant is calling out for white pedals. Nice pics.

zitter

I love riding Elfin Forest, it's about a 70-80 mile ride for me for a full loop from campus but it's well worth it. The scenery is great and it's not too difficult, but rather long.

pgjackson

I was told that it was pretty hilly, but it really wasn't too bad. I think I had about 1400 ft elevation over the entire 36 mile loop.

renton

I liked the pic with the pizza and the pint. The one with the empty glass and the empty plate... not as much.

Carbon Unit

Great pics. I use to be in the mortgage business and did a loan for a guy that lived near there. He kept telling me that I should move there because he knew I was into cycling. I thought it might have burned during the fire. The guy I did the loan for lost his house in the fire.

I will have to ride there some day.

pgjackson

There's a lot of dry brush out there. San Elijo is really in the middle of the wilderness.

pgjackson

I am realizing that I enjoy my rides a lot more when I am not trying to haul ass a fast as possible. Looking for good shots and then stopping to take the pictures really adds a new dimension of enjoyment to the activity. Haven't been brave enough to take my good camera out on a ride. I'm really impressed with the iPhone4 camera so far.

Velo Vol 

The forest is a bit sparse in treeage.

CbadRider

Hill repeats up San Elijo Rd./Twin Peaks are fun. I think Double Peak Dr. hits about a 20% grade.

Was the pizza parlor in the San Elijo town square?

diverkiwi

I've done that route driving tons of times...
It is beautiful!
Once I get in shape (and a road bike) I'll have to do that ride when I visit my fam in Escondido.

pgjackson

The pizza place was right behind the fountain.

znomit

Mid ride beer always kills me. Or gets me lost.
Pizza looks mighty fine though. Nom nom nom.

baj32161

Nice pics and report there. I sometimes envy you folks on the west coast for the variety of scenery until I get out around here (Niagara region Canada) I need to get a little pocket camera since I don't like to carry my DSLR around when I am riding.

Cheers,

Brian J.

pgjackson

These photos were all taken with my iPhone4 and the ProHDR app. Not nearly as good as my big DSLR in terms of picture quality, but in many ways much more functional. I just carry it in my jersey pocket and pull it out when I see something. I've got my emergency commiunication, music player and 5mp camera all in one contraption. I highly recommend the iPhone4 if you don't have it.

baj32161

I actually do not have one (yet) but it is on my list of must haves.

pgjackson

It was worth the $200 to get the new phone. I mean, it would cost at least $100 to get an average P&S camera alone. My old P&S is literally collecting dust in a desk drawer. Plus iPods cost a fortune as well. This is everything in one product. The upgraded camera and associated apps are fantastic...not to mention HD video capability.

renton

Brian, could I ride with you sometimes when you go towards Niagara? I've never ridden in that area.

xjustice09x

The San Diego Century was yesterday. We rode through that area. I always enjoy riding Elfin Forest.

pgjackson

Yeah, I missed it. There's the Tour de Poway coming up that I think is pretty much the same route.

calamarichris

The Tour de Poway unfortunately does not ride Elfin Forest Road.
EF Road is another reason I love living here. My place is about three miles from San Elijo.
They just resurfaced a good portion of it, at about the same time they finished Twin Oaks Parkway, which is a more direct road that runs parallel to Elfin Forest. This was a double-win, because the road got smoother at the same time it no longer had much traffic at all.

GP

We rode EF this morning heading to Via Rancho, Mary Ln, Bandy Cyn, RB and RSF. My back was killing me so I bailed back to the coast when everyone else headed up Del Dios.

Double Peak is steep but it has a nice view. The first time I rode up it, a coworker was running up it. He lives near melrose and runs up the hill everyday.

mrbUSA

Beautiful pic's thanks!