Santa Ynez Valley / Refugio Road / Gaviota / Alisal Road Rough Riders Loop

Solvang and its setting, the Santa Ynez Valley, has been a favorite cycling region of mine for 30 years now. Today I rode a loop which I had never done before by piecing together a few different previously ridden routes and connecting them with one excellent 3.25 mile dirt road ascent.

The start/finish is the Santa Ynez Valley Coffee Company, in the corner of the Nielsen's Market parking lot adjacent to the intersection of Alama Pintado and Hwy 246. This is immediately east and downhill from Solvang's city center.

My Garmin 300xt clocked the route at 39.5 miles, though a Google Maps recon of the route the night before said it would be 44 miles (that Google route seems to throw in some short fire road sections in the mountains which don't exist, or aren't really part of this route). You can see all the stats below, but there's even more detail, not to mention the GPS file download, over on my Garmin page for the ride at this link.

It was a foggy day, so I didn't carry a camera or prioritize photography, even though it was still beautiful out. The mustard along both sides of the roadway during the descent to Refugio Beach was incredible, standing up to ten feet high. Above are the only two shoots I took, of my Rivendell Roadeo, as the pavement turned to dirt as the road started to pitch uphill on Refugio Road.

My gearing is 11/28 rear and 39/48 front with Dura Ace ten-speed. Tires are Challenge Paris-Roubaix (700 by 29mm). These were some of my first rides with the new Ritchey Classic Silver bars, stem, and seat post, as well as with the Berthoud "Touring" saddle and HandleBra leather bar tape, all of which I really like. A full post will follow soon about the Roadeo, which is now 99% "finished" and ready for all that awaits.

Route Sheet / Description:
0.0 Head east on Hwy 246.
1.9 Right on Refugio Road (traffic light at the SYV High School and YMCA).
Note: during and shortly after the rainy season, such as now, anticipate about eight water crossings. Since I have Honjo fenders, I was able to coast through them and not get my shoes or bike wet.
6.2 Pavement ends, but keep your ears pealed for the occasional jeep or enduro motorcyclist.The route is essentially all uphill at this point, and all dirt except for three 50-yard paved stretches. The road climbs about 2000 feet and my Garmin was claiming 10-15% grade most of the time. I passed a few mountain bikers along the way, but didn't encounter any cars.
9.5 Pavement resumes at the top of the mountains. Entrance to the former Reagan Ranch is on the right. Continue straight / right and generally downhill on Refugio Road all the way to the coast.
17.8 (app.) Enter the 101 north (right turn, up the ramp)
34.0 (app.) At the summit of the big ascent, look for and take a one-lane right turn downhill (rather than bombing downhill on the 101).
35.0 (app) Turn right on Alisal Road. You will pass Nojoqui Falls Park, a nice place for water, bathroom, or a break, or even a short ride/hike up to the falls.
39.5 (app). Finish where you started! Please support the local business(es) while you ponder your excellent ride!

Rough Riding North-Eastern San Diego County: Ramona - Black Canyon Road - Mesa Grande - Santa Ysabel (with Garmin 310xt Review)

Above: Yours truly, next to the dam at Sutherland Reservoir. (Cycling cap by Swrve.)

It goes without saying that I never embrace technology and only "upgrade" when forced to, or, on rare occasion, when I find something so redeeming and useful that I decided to drop my usual technopathy and go for it. Such is the case with the Garmin 310xt GPS / bike computer / watch / thingamabob. Finally, one of these little units has hit the market with a battery which last long enough to be useful for those of us with an adventurous, endurance-loving embrace to our outdoor pursuits. (My previous Garmin GPS watch (model 405) barely lasted 5 to 5.5 hours, even without using the heartrate monitor feature, though it was advertised as lasting eight hours.)

Skeptical when I read that the new Garmin 310xt would last 20 hours, and boasts tons more features, I posted for feedback on our Facebook page for the Badwater Ultramarathon. Sure enough, several total legit ultrarunners confirmed it lasts 18 to 19 hours, even while using the heartrate monitor feature. That, plus its purported easy upload to the Garmin website for generating maps, elevation profiles, and analyzing data from the ride / run / hike / whatever, made this thing irresistible to me, so I indulged.

Having just gotten a 310xt in the mail and charged it up overnight, today we rode a route which we first enjoyed back on November 15, 2008. We blogged about it then, including lots of photos. Today was a new day, though, and I wanted to put the Garmin through its paces. Boy, am I glad we did! Despite being just a day short of the Summer Solstice, the weather was perfect: warm, but not hot, with sunny skies. Plus there was very little traffic, even on the "busy road" part of the route. It couldn't have been better. Also, with the first-ever Rough Riders Rally coming up in about six weeks, we really wanted to get in some dirt miles on our favorite Rough Riding bikes. Eliz rode her 1974 Williams, converted to 650B wheels with 35mm Col de la Vie tyres, and I rode my new Rivendell Roadeo with 700Cx33mm Jack Brown tyres. Good choices, both, needless to say!

The Garmin was a piece of cake to use. I hit start at the beginning of the ride, then stop at the end. How's that for easy? Along the way, while pedaling, I found it simple to navigate the buttons and menu, so that I could set it to show four bits of data simultaneously: speed, distance, elapsed time, and heartrate. Next time, I will also click the "lap" button at significant landmarks along the way, such as major turns, pass summits, and viewpoints. That will give a little more detail of the route when reviewing the Garmin Connect page about the ride afterward.

"A Garmin Connect page"? What's that, you ask? Well, after installing some simple software in my Mac, and quickly creating my own profile on the connect.garmin.com webpage, I installed a little "ANT" stick into a USB drive. Then, as soon as the ANT stick detected my Garmin nearby, it downloaded the data from the Garmin. That's right, I didn't even have to plug the Garmin into my computer. I wish my digital camera worked so simply! And here's the result, which you should also check out on the Garmin Connect webpage from whence I got these screen grabs (there you can also "interact" with the map of the route by zooming in, switching to satellite view, and the like):

How cool is that? A map which can be seen Google-style in map, satellite, terrain, or Google Earth mode, plus an elevation profile, speed/time graph, heartrate/time graph, plus data about total elevation gain, calories burned (supposedly, based upon heartrate, weight, age, etc), total time, time moving, average speed, max speed, and more, all generated automatically and posted to a webpage (I guess permanently)!

Here are photos from today's ride:

Above: this new multimillion dollar bridge on Black Canyon Road in the middle of nowhere replaces the older, smaller one at right, which worked perfectly fine 18 months ago.

Above: my Rivendell Roadeo

Above: So along this dirt road in the middle of nowhere, suddenly a nice, paved road with street lights heads off to the west, only to reconnect with our dirt road (Black Canyon Road) maybe a mile later. Along that road (Hallyeyaaw Ln) are about 12 to 20 smaller-sized, but nice, homes, all seemingly with the same floorplan. It's an "Indian Reservation."

Above: the "Indian Reservation" as seen from further up the road. Again, in the middle of nowhere, reachable only via back-country dirt roads.
Above: First I saw a snake track across the road, then I quickly spotted the snake just before it disappeared into its burrow beneath that rock. What a beauty!
Above: As we approached Mesa Grande at the north end of Black Canyon Road, we entered some beautiful pastureland with huge cows and horned bulls. The classic California summertime yellow mustard was out in force all day today.

Above: A short video from Black Canyon Road. The beautiful creek down below the edge of the road was peaceful, providing a wonderful sountrack to parts of the ride. (Cycling cap by Swrve.)

Rough Riding the Santa Monica Mountains: A Semi-Epic (nearly EPIC) on November 21, 2009

On November 21, 2009 ten Rough Riders embarked upon a semi-epic (borderline EPIC) excursion in the Santa Monica Mountains. The ride leader was Chris Kostman. Six riders completed the full distance. It took eight hours to complete this route with a total distance of app. 45.7mi with 6110’ total elevation gain.

Above: Jim Swarzman in the Rough Riders jersey leads the group up Sullivan Canyon.

We spent about one hour stopped for flat tyres (25mm road tyres, especially old, worn out ones, are not suitable for rides like this), and another hour was spent regrouping to make sure that riders did not get lost. About 30 minutes was also spent bush-wacking and way-finding on the Budwood Motorway. "Motorway" is more than a euphemism; this "fire road" quickly disintegrates into a barely rideable single-track and requires a lot of way-finding. This was the only part of the whole route which was new to the ride leader. Amazingly, he plans to ride this "Motorway" again (now that he knows what to expect and how to find the way. Special thanks to Calvin Mulder for leading us through this section.) This ride was the Full Version of the abbreviated version of this ride which we rode back on May 21.

Below are some photos, but better yet:

Click here for an awesome video slideshow of the ride, with music.

Click here to see the same video on our YouTube channel.

Click here for a traditional slideshow of the ride (same images as the video), along with this same ride report and route sheet.

Here's a roster of riders and bikes:

Ken Kistinger (Rivendell Rambouillet with fenders and road tyres), Errin Vasquez with Salsa Fargo, Simon Kann with Specialized Epic ATB, Jim Swarzman with K2 ZedM ATB, Stephen Bryne with Specialized Expedition with road tyres, Victor Cooper with Univega ATB, Ty Callahan with Sam Hillborne, Bruce Malm with Bleriot 650B with fenders and h'bar bag, Calvin Mulder with Felt cyclocross bike, and yours truly on my 1984 Holdsworth road bike with 32mm Ritchey cylclocross tyres.

NOTE: Jim Swarzman was killed by a hit-and-run driver while riding a 600km Brevet on April 10, 2011. On April 11, 2011 I added a few more shots of Jim here, and then here is my post about Jim and that tragedy.

Above: Errin Vasquez with Salsa Fargo

Above: At "The Hub"

Above and below: after The Hub, we headed towards Trippett Ranch.

Above: On the Summit to Summit Motorway. with "The Valley" behind.

Above: Chris Kostman on Summit to Summit Motorway
Above: Jim Swarzman

Above: the not-to-be-missed rocky promontory on Calabasas Peak Motorway with view of Stunt Road and Saddle Peak in the background of this shot.

Above: almost the same location as the previous shot, but with "The Valley" behind.

Above: Heading down, so we can climb up Stunt Road to Saddle Peak in the distance.

Above: atop Saddle Peak, after climbing Stunt Road.

Above: our Budwood Motorway will turn into a bush-wack quickly! Jim Swarzman leads.

Above: Budwood starts off great, but deteriorates as it descends towards the coast. Note how high above the cost we are! Amazingly, we will be there in about three miles.

Above: Jim Swarzman hike-a-bikes part of the way down to the coast.

Above: Mission accomplished! Chris Kostman self-portrait with the other five Rough Riders - Jim Swarzman, Stephen Bryne, Simon Kann, Ken Kistinger, and Calvin Mulder - who completed the whole enchilada!

Route Sheet:

NOTE: All of these trails and roads can be found in the Thomas Bros. Guide for Los Angeles on pages 591, 590, 589, and 629 (in that order). Also note: this route sheet is not entirely accurate, it requires navigation, and no guarantees are made about the legality or safety of the route! RIDE AT YOUR OWN RISK!

• Start: 26th and San Vicente, Brentwood Santa Monica, CA 90049. Go north on 26th AKA Allenford Ave.

• Take streets - Sunset Blvd (R), Mandeville Canyon (L at 1.1mi), Chalon (L), Queensferry (R at 3.6mi) to enter the bottom of Sullivan Canyon.

• Ascend Sullivan Canyon (AKA Farmers Fire Road on maps) to Sullivan Ridge.

• Right to ascend Sullivan Ridge to Dirt Mulholland (AKA Mulholland Drive on maps)

• Left/West on Dirt Mulholland: go 2.7mi.

• Left on Temescal Fire Road south to "The Hub".

• At The Hub (13.4mi / 2450’ elevation gain): Hard Right on Topanga Fire Road towards Trippett Ranch.

• Right down into Trippet Ranch (16.3): state park parking lot area with water and restroom.

• Take Entranda Rd. (paved) down to Topanga Canyon Blvd.

• Go south briefly on Topanga Canyon Blvd (17.7mi).

• Right on Topanga School Rd (17.8mi) to end and through the cul-de-sac / front of the school.

- On weekends, there is gate which needs to be surmounted (18.0mi).

• Enter the south end of Henry Ridge Motorway (18.05mi: at very small, yellow State Park sign: uphill, very steep, overgrown dirt “road” to right of water tank).

• Continue / left on Henry Ridge Motorway proper (18.4mi: paved road, uphill).

- Just stay on this, northbound, along the ridge. You’ll pass through some gates, mostly open.

• Left / West on Summit to Summit Motorway (20.5 / 3690’ elevation gain).

- This is paved for just 50 feet, then turns to dirt at chain across road. Not well signed.

• Cross the summit of Old Topanga (paved) Road (22.1 mi / 3790’ elevation gain).

- Go straight across, go along left driveway, and follow "Trail" signs onto steep singletrack.

• Continue left / south on Calabasas Peak Motorway (22.3mi: a dirt fire road).

• At 24.1mi, veer left off fire road, park bike, and scramble up onto rocky promontory to see view of Stunt Rd. (4510’ elevation gain) and Saddle Peak. Then continue as you were.

• Continue straight / right at 25.1mi or follow Option Two as below.

• Drop onto Stunt Road, go left to climb Stunt to Saddle Peak (25.7mi / 4550’ elevation gain).

• At 28.2: Mile Marker 3.61 / Address 335: Water Fountain on Right at Driveway (5500’ elevation gain)!!!

• Left at the top of Stunt on Saddle Peak Rd (28.7mi / 5650’ elevation gain).

• Right on Tuna Canyon (31.9mi / 5770’ elevation gain).

Note: All sane people will stay on Tuna Canyon Road all the way down to PCH, rather than following the next five directions:

• At 33.0mi, go Right onto gated fire road as paved road swings left after a short fast downhill.

• At 33.1mi, go Right on Big Rock Motorway (fire road).

• At 33.35mi, Left (very soon) on Budwood Motorway (fire road). Stay on this all the way to coast, but this will require a lot of bush-wacking and way-finding. However it is epic! Some bike pushing/hauling required.

• At 36.7 (app), gate at the end of the trail / fire road. Civilization!

• Left on Big Rock Drive (paved road) (36.9mi).

• Left at the bottom onto PCH (37.3mi).

• Enter southbound beach bike path at Temscal Canyon Rd.

• Go under PCH at 42.8mi via stairs and pedestrian tunnel. This is equivalent to going left on West Channel from PCH into Pacific Palisades.

• As you exist the pedestrian tunnel, go straight up Ocean Avenue (head inland).

• Immediate Right on Short Drive (42.9mi), then immediate left on Entrada Drive.

• Immediate right on Ocean Way (43.0mi), then follow that left onto Mayberry.

• Right on Ocean Avenue (43.4mi).

• Left on San Vicente (44.7mi).

• Arrive back at 26^th Avenue start/finish (app. 45.7mi with 6110’ total elevation gain).

Congrats!!!

Option 2

• Go left at the fork onto Red Rock Road, instead of continuing down to Stunt Rd.

• Turn right on Old Topanga Canyon Road

• Turn Right on Topanga Canyon Blvd

• Turn left on PCH back to Brentwood via West Channel, etc as above.

Rough Riders Rally Reconnaissance

Since shortly after publishing "Mountain Bikes: Who Needs Them?" in the February, 1993 issue of Bicycle Guide - when the "love letters" starting pouring in - I've dreamed of hosting a rally to celebrate the "Any Bike, Anywhere" ethos and lifestyle. Now that dream is really beginning to take shape, as you will see from our beautiful logo above and the fantastic photos on this page and on our website. Read on, check out the photos, and mark your calendar to join us next year!

Over the weekend of August 8 & 9, 2009, I traveled to Marin County to further preparations for the July 23-25, 2010 Rough Riders Rally. As a result, we've finalized the main ride route, made plans with our host bike shop, and much more. Plus we now have over 200 photos to whet your appetite for what will be a truly exciting, memorable, and fun international gathering of Rough Riders. YOU are invited!

Yours truly at West Point Inn, on Railroad Grade, above Mill Valley and the Bay Area. Photo by Ed Levinson.

The Rally is our new annual mixed-surface (road/trail/etc) cycling festival based in Marin County which celebrates the "Any Bike, Anywhere" ethos. There will be a Friday afternoon ride, followed by a BBQ at Tam Bikes in Mill Valley. Saturday will be the big day: a six hour ride in spectacular terrain. Later that afternoon the bikes will be assembled for a bike show. (To enter a bike in the show, it must have been ridden on the full route, including the photograph. No "for looking only; not for riding" bikes may be shown.) It will be a fantastic evening. Sunday morning we'll ride Railroad Grade to the summit of Mt. Tam, then return to Mill Valley for a social hour or two at The Depot, before we depart town. It promises to be a very fun weekend in an absolutely spectacular cycling paradise. Mark your calendar! (Mountain bikes are welcome, too!)

Click here for a preview slideshow and a very rough route sheet of the Saturday route for the 2010 Rough Riders Rally. The route is approximately 345 miles with approximately 5000' of elevation gain and features single track, double track, fire road, gravel road, abandoned paved road, and newly paved road. Some consider this "mountain bike territory," but this route is 99% rideable by an accomplished Rough Rider on a road bike with 32mm cyclocross tyres (or on a cyclocross bike), and perhaps 90-95% rideable on a road bike with 28mm road tyres.

Special thanks to my long-time friend and local guide, Ed Levinson, a Furnace Creek 508 veteran who owned and operated a bike shop in Mill Valley for over ten years. (Our host shop for the Rally will be Mt. Tam Bikes at 357 Miller Avenue, as pictured in the slideshow.)

This region offers truly superb cycling, with fantastic views of the San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz, the Marin Headlands, Mt. Tamalpais ("Mt. Tam"), Tiburon, Mill Valley, the Bay Bridge, a bit of the Golden Gate Bridge, and dramatic, rugged Northern California coastline. Honestly, this is cycling paradise, a region unparalleled for its beauty, diversity of scenery and riding surfaces, and its cycling-friendly trail signage and local population!

Above: Ed Levinson, with Mt. Tam behind, on Bobcat Trail in the Marin Headlands.

View the entire slideshow on our website. Every image you will see was taken on the route of the Rough Riders Rally Saturday ride. The riding is truly that fantastic!

Join us July 23-25, 2010 for the first ever Rough Riders Rally! Mark your calendar and stay tuned for further details!

Boulder Creek Semi-Epic Ride on July 5, 2009: Ride Report, Images, and Video

After first riding different parts of this route over the past year (see the videos here on YT) we invited others to join us for a Rough Riders Semi-Epic Ride on July 5, 2009. Eleven riders enjoyed a fantastic day of cycling in the first real hot weather of 2009: It hit about 100 at some points. The route featured "the greatest hits" of the Mt. Laguna back country: Viejas Grade, Boulder Creek, Lake Cuyamaca, Descanso, and Wildwood Glen Ln (AKA "Mad Max Road") with a start/finish in Alpine, CA. Total distance: 58 miles with over 8,000' of elevation gain. This route can best be ridden by an accomplished rough rider on a bike with 32mm or wider tyres. This is really a phenomenal ride and we highly recommend it!

Above: Viejas Grade

Above: Descanso store

Above: Boulder Creek

Above: Peter Bridge at the bottom of Boulder Creek

Above: Boulder Creek at the very bottom. Not much water in July!

Above: Catching some shade on the ascent out of Boulder Creek

Above: Working our way up and out of Boulder Creek

Above: Rookie Rough Rider Eric Larson with his Moots YBB CX

Above: After a refresh/refuel at Lake Cuyamaca

Here's a link to the video slideshow.
Turn up your speakers: enjoy the music & pix!

Route Sheet:
The 58 mile loop starts and finishes at the relatively new Starbux located at 2963 Alpine Blvd in Alpine, CA 91901 (along the I-8 corridor in eastern San Diego County). (Start location and mapping here.)
0.0 Start at Starbux in Alpine and head east on Alpine Blvd. (El. 2080')
1.1 Cross over I-8 at West Willows Rd.
1.3 Continue east on the opposite (north) side of the freeway.
2.1 Veer left shortly thereafter on Viejas Grade Rd. into the Indian Reservation.
4.7 Road turns to gravel - head uphill into Rough Rider heaven!
8.6 Summit Viejas Grade (still gravel).
9.0 Pavement resumes: Continue straight and downhill to Descanso.
11.2 Left on Oak Grove Drive (at Perkins Store in Descanso: GET WATER!)
12.8 Right on Boulder Creek (but first check out the llamas on the left at the turn).
16.6 Pass Sherilton Valley Road (Need to investigate this road. Looks interesting.)
16.9 Pass Dubois Truck Trail on left (Need to also research this dirt road). (El. 2780')
17.9 Pavement ends! (El. 3340')
23.6 Bottom of the canyon. Careful for water running across the road. (El. 2500'; 2:30 elapsed time)
24.0 Pass Ranchita Margarita: watch for ostriches.
24.5 This is the very bottom of Boulder Creek Canyon, during 1/3 mile of pavement.
25.7 Pass two truck trails on the left at a hairpin. (Need to research them, too!) (El. 2780')
29.5 Tiny church and a cemetery on the right, within the Inaja Reservation.
29.8 Mile Marker 17. (El. 3630'; 3:40 elapsed time)
30.8 Pavement resumes: Right (uphill) on Engineers Road at Pine Hills Fire Station (where you can get water if you need it).
34.7 Summit.
36.0 Right on SR 79 (Stop Sign, T-Int.): Go around Lake Cuyamaca.
36.6 Lake Cuyamaca Store on left; Food and drinks for sale. Bathroom down and around in back. (El. 4410'; 4:50 elapsed time)
39.0 Pass the Paso Picacho State Park on right; begin descent.
44.3 Pass East Mesa Fire Road on left (Must research this dirt road!) (El. 3770')
45.0 Pass Oakzanita Springs / 1000 Trails on left. Bathroom and store.
47.7 Pass Viejas Blvd on right (or you take it and get to the same place after passing the Perkins Store in Descanso); fruit stand.
47.9 Right to continue on SR 79 (Stop Sign, T-Int.). (El. 3390')
49.3 Pass Riverside Drive (our outbound route earlier). (El. 3210')
49.8 About a mile before hitting the I-8, turn right on Wildwood Glen Ln (AKA "Mad Max Road").
50.8 About a mile later, there is a gate across the road and then the pavement starts to disappear: keep going to the end!
52.1 Hike down onto I-8 and continue west on I-8 (this is a bike-legal shoulder).
53.5 Take first offramp, then left over the freeway, then right on Alpine Blvd, continuing west back to Alpine.
56.8 Cross West Willows Rd. (the way we headed out this morning); continue straight west.
58.0 Finish at Alpine Starbux. (El. 2080'; 6:20 elapsed time)

Riders and Bikes:

Brad Zlotnick on his 1989 Miyata Elevation 5000 mountain bike (fully rigid)
Peter Bridge on his Redline CX bike
Dustin Sharp on his ti Black Sheep with Rohloff hub
Chris Kostman on his 1984 Holdsworth road bike with Ritchey 32mm cross tyres
Elizabeth on his 1974 Williams road bike converted to 650B wheels
John Byrne on his GT I-Drive with 6" of travel, front and rear mountain bike (dual suspension)
Bob Hartman on his Fuso by Dave Moulton
John Corkill on his Aegis carbon CX bike
Lawrence Cayton on his Lemond CX bike
Mark Tolivar on his 1972 Albert Eisentraut
Eric Larson on his ti Moots YBB XC bike

Thanks for your enthusiasm, everyone, and thanks especially to all the Rough Riders who rode today! We look forward to seeing you "out there" soon! (Stay tuned for the announcement of another Semi-Epic Rough Ride in the near future!)

Semi-Epic Planned for Sunday, July 5: YOU Are Invited! Route Sheet Now Posted!

Mark your calendars and join us for a most excellent Rough Riding adventure! This semi-epic ride is planned for Sunday, July 5. The 58.4 mile loop we will ride starts and finishes at the relatively new Starbux located at 2963 Alpine Blve in Alpine, CA 91901 (along the I-8 corridor in eastern San Diego County). (Start location and mapping here.) We will meet there at 730am and roll out no later than 800am.

The route will include the dirt sections (and some paved sections) from two different rides we've done out in this amazing area before. Basically we'll ride a sort of "Greatest Hits" route which includes the dirt sections at the start and finish of this route (click these links for the full reports, but also check out the videos embedded below):

http://www.xo-1.org/2008/12/rough-riding-eastern-san-diego-county.html

along with the entire dirt Boulder Creek section featured in this route:

http://www.xo-1.org/2009/01/rough-riding-south-eastern-san-diego.html

We're hoping you will mark your calendar and join us for an AWESOME ride!

Note: This ride is unhosted, unsupported, and everyone who shows up is on their own. Neither we, nor anybody else, is responsible for anyone who rides. If you ride, YOU are responsible for YOU and YOUR bike. This is not an "event" - it is just a ride on dirt and paved roads for like-minded people.

Recommended Bikes / Tyres: In our opinion and experience, this route all rideable on a road bike with 28mm or wider tyres, although we have used 32mm and 35mm tyres. The wider your tyres, the more comfortable and safer your ride should be. Certainly a full-blown mountain bike will work, too. "Any Bike, Anywhere!"

Route Sheet Is Below (If you plan to ride this route, we suggest you print this section and bring it along. We will not be "guiding" this ride, as we are not in charge, nor "hosting" this ride. This route sheet should be about 98% accurate, but we make no guarantees. We suggest you consult a map and your own sense of direction. We accept no responsibility for safety, utility, nor legality of this route!) Dirt sections are noted in bold.

0.0 Start at Starbux in Alpine and head east on Alpine Blvd. (El. 2080')
1.1 Cross over I-8 at West Willows Rd.
1.3 Continue east on the opposite (north) side of the freeway.
2.1 Veer left shortly thereafter on Viejas Grade Rd. into the Indian Reservation.
4.7 Road turns to gravel - head uphill into Rough Rider heaven!
8.6 Summit Viejas Grade (still gravel).
9.0 Pavement resumes: Continue straight and downhill to Descanso.
11.2 Left on Oak Grove Drive (at Perkins Store in Descanso: GET WATER!)
12.8 Right on Boulder Creek (but first check out the llamas on the left at the turn).
16.6 Pass Sherilton Valley Road (Need to investigate this road. Looks interesting.)
16.9 Pass Dubois Truck Trail on left (Need to also research this dirt road). (El. 2780')
17.9 Pavement ends! (El. 3340')
23.6 Bottom of the canyon. Careful for water running across the road. (El. 2500'; 2:30 elapsed time)
24.0 Pass Ranchita Margarita: watch for ostriches.
24.5 This is the very bottom of Boulder Creek Canyon, during 1/3 mile of pavement.
25.7 Pass two truck trails on the left at a hairpin. (Need to research them, too!) (El. 2780')
29.5 Tiny church and a cemetery on the right, within the Inaja Reservation.
29.8 Mile Marker 17. (El. 3630'; 3:40 elapsed time)
30.8 Pavement resumes: Right (uphill) on Engineers Road at Pine Hills Fire Station (where you can get water if you need it).
34.7 Summit.
36.0 Right on SR 79 (Stop Sign, T-Int.): Go around Lake Cuyamaca.
36.6 Lake Cuyamaca Store on left; Food and drinks for sale. Bathroom down and around in back. (El. 4410'; 4:50 elapsed time)
39.0 Pass the Paso Picacho State Park on right; begin descent.
44.3 Pass East Mesa Fire Road on left (Must research this dirt road!) (El. 3770')
45.0 Pass Oakzanita Springs / 1000 Trails on left. Bathroom and store.
47.7 Pass Viejas Blvd on right (or you take it and get to the same place after passing the Perkins Store in Descanso); fruit stand.
47.9 Right to continue on SR 79 (Stop Sign, T-Int.). (El. 3390')
49.3 Pass Riverside Drive (our outbound route earlier). (El. 3210')
49.8 About a mile before hitting the I-8, turn right on Wildwood Glen Ln (AKA "Mad Max Road").
50.8 About a mile later, there is a gate across the road and then the pavement starts to disappear: keep going to the end!
52.1 Hike down onto I-8 and continue west on I-8 (this is a bike-legal shoulder).
53.5 Take first offramp, then left over the freeway, then right on Alpine Blvd, continuing west back to Alpine.
56.8 Cross West Willows Rd. (the way we headed out this morning); continue straight west.
58.0 Finish at Alpine Starbux. (El. 2080'; 6:20 elapsed time)

Video of 2008 Rough Riding (cycling) Viejas Grade and Eastern San Diego County:
(Note: YouTube disabled the soundtrack. If you want to hear the music, and see the video much bigger and clearer, watch it here instead.)



Video of 2008 Rough Riding (cycling) Descanso - Boulder Creek - Lake Cuayamaca:
(Note: YouTube did not disable the soundtrack on this video, but if you want to see much bigger,and clearer, watch it here instead.)