Encinitas winter training camp

Encinitas, California is a great place to go for a winter training camp. The temperatures relative to the rest of the continental United States are very comfortable, the terrain varies from flat to high mountains and there are many group rides to join. When the riding is done, there is the California vibe for all to absorb (the beach with its crashing surf and pods of surfers), the restaurants (Mexican food in particular) and features such as the San Diego Zoo and Seaworld. There are many condominiums that are empty this time of year and owners are eager to rent them out. JetBlue goes to Los Angeles frequently and from there it is an easy two hour drive; alternatively, one can fly directly into San Diego. JetBlue operates the comfortable Airbus 320 and charges a reasonable $50.00 for a bike box (Trico Iron Horse). 

The scenery in the hills of Encinitas is lovely: the hills roll and sometimes are quite steep. There are beautiful vistas, lemon orchards and horse farms and some fantastic houses. The village of Rancho Sante Fe is a precious enclave that on any given day must have the highest concentration of luxury sports cars per square kilometer in the United States. The coastal towns ooze California cool: coaster bikes, hip cafes, quirky shops, beautiful people and many cyclists. The beach or the ocean is almost always in sight. The climb up to Torrey Pines and Soladang are features of the coastal routes.

Encinitas Hills

Encinitas Hills

The traffic along the coast can be busy especially in places like La Jolla and Del Mar, but there is usually a well established bike lane. Traffic gets busier towards San Diego. Drivers are accustomed to cyclists and generally patient and respectful, but on the roads in the hills outside of Encinitas, there are no bike lanes and you have to ride on or near the white line. The Del Dios High way to Escondido has a nice bike lane, but traffic is moving fast. Lake Wholford Road is a bit rough and there is no bike lane, but traffic is less busy, albeit brisk. Route 78 up to Ramona is narrow, but traffic is light if you get there in the morning. Palomar Mountain State Park has very light traffic except for the motorcycles that race up the seven miles of switchback (South Ridge approach). Frame and Wheel saw more of California in these seven days of riding than in the previous thirty years of watching movies about the place.

Palomar Mountain State Park is reachable from Encinitas, but an early start is required. There and back is about 120 miles or eight hours. It is helpful to choose a nice day as the summit of Palomar Mountain is over 5,000 feet. Even on a clear and dry day, it is cold (mid forties) at the top. If it is wet, the descent is miserable. There are plenty of places to get food and water along the way. The climb on Lake Wholford Road is a nice feature of the ride and the seven miles of 7 percent climbing on the Paolmar Mountain road is a great challenge. Frame and Wheel made this ride twice during the week. Each time the ride lasted longer than the batteries in the Android.

Palomar switchbacks

Cloudy first day up

Observatory was not visible

Begin descent

Fingers were very cold

Second Palomar ride

Dry

Seven percent

View from 4000 feet

Getting up there

Ramona is a bit closer than Palomar Mountain, but the ride will still be over 100 miles starting from Encinitas. The route goes around Escondido and picks up Route 78 which climbs gradually, and then more sharply all the way to the town of Ramona. Route 78 continues east into high country and climbs less gradually, but elevations are well above 2,000 feet. Route 78 meets the old Julian Highway and at this point the route heads back down to Ramona and ultimately into Poway. The descent into Poway uses Route 52 which is busy and with very little shoulder; it requires caution and was probably the most dubious section of road experienced during the trip. From there the route works its way towards the coast. Frame and Wheel became hopelessly lost in the suburbs outside of Del Mar, but was able to eventually make it to a planned rendez-vous point at Torrey Pines thanks to the helpful guidance of joggers and residents. Carmel Valley Road is the main thoroughfare to the coast.

Ostrich farm along Route 78

Town of Ramona

Julian Highway high country

The Swami’s Cycling Club organizes regularly scheduled group rides out of Ride Cyclery. Frame and Wheel joined the Swami’s A ride on the last Saturday of the trip (8:10 am start). There were perhaps forty to fifty riders including numerous members of the Swami’s Cycling Team, as well as USA Cycling Team riders, World Champions and other dead ringers. Peter Sagan (Liquigas) was rumored to be attending the ride that day, but Frame and Wheel was unable to confirm this. The ride charges through a few neighborhoods before it reaches the rolling terrain of Elfin Forest Road. This section is fast and there were numerous riders getting dropped here. Surprisingly, the ride comes to a complete halt at a church and from there riders can go to Lake Wholford or head back to Encinitas. After some 35 hours of riding during the week, Frame and Wheel was very pleased to head back to Encinitas. Frame and Wheel felt very welcomed on this ride and was amused to hear that most riders considered the 60 degree temperatures to be very cold. It was a fine way to conclude a great week of riding. Frame and Wheel hopes to return.

Post Swami ride

View from top of Solodang

California's been good to me