Route 370 - Full Commitment Century Part 5 - 90 miles
Mt Palomar

0.0  Start OCRR 8AM
0.0 L Via Vera Cruz
0.5 L Grand
0.6 R Las Posas
1.0 L Mission (LEFT!)
1.5 = Santa Fe
3.2 R Buena Creek
4.3 L Monte Vista
4.9 R Foothill
6.6 L Foothill/Edgehill
6.7 R Warmlands
8.5 L Warmlands
9.0 R E Vista -
STOP at market
10.9 = Old River
  (cross hwy 76)
13.6 L Camino del Rey
14.0 R Bonsall gas -
STOP at gas station
14.0 U Camin del Rey
14.2 L Camin Del Rey
18.9 R Old 395
20.0 L Old Castle
25.6 R Lilac
29.0 L Valley Center
29.8 L Miller ?
Regroup after turn
31.6 R Miller
31.9 R Cole Grade
32.9 L Fruitvale
34.7 R Mac Tan
35.2 L Vesper
36.0 R Sunset
36.5 L Valley Center
41.7 R Hwy 76 ?
STOP at market
46.9 L Palomar Mtn
53.5 L Canfield
53.5 L Market ?
STOP at market
53.5 U Canfield
53.6 R S Grade
60.2 R Hwy 76
65.4 R Market ?
STOP at market
65.4 L Valley Center
70.4 L Lake Wohlford
76.1 L lake parking ?
Regroup at restroom
78.3 L E Valley
79.0 R Washington
80.0 R Citrus
80.5 = El Norte
82.0 R Ash
83.5 L Rincon
83.8 = Country Club
85.8 L Country Club
85.9 R El Norte
86.2 L Woodland
86.9 R Mission
90.2 L Las Posas
90.7 L Grand
90.7 R Via Vera Cruz
91.2 R OCRR

Map My Ride

The climb up Mt Palomar is the one great mountain climbs in San Diego. Lance does it on a single speed. 5000 feet in 11 miles makes it good preparation for your next bike tour of the Alps! The descent is a classic mountain high-speed technical descent.

Attention to weather will make or break your enjoyment of this climb. The ascent is unbearable in the heat, and the descent is unbearable in the cold. Check the forecast for Palomar Mountain before you go.

Under 60 degrees - bring a jacket, long finger gloves and knee warmers. Nice extras would be a balclava, insulated gloves, and an insulated jersey. Pack them on your back or tie them under your saddle. Otherwise, plan on violently shivering on the descent, and losing all feeling in your hands. Research hypothermia.

Over 80 degrees - bring extra water, as there is none between the Taco Shop and Mothers Kitchen. Much of the climb is in direct sun. Research heat exhaustion. Low salt levels from sweating is also a problem. Salt takes a long time to absorb, and like food and water, if you wait until you are suffering to ingest, then it is too late. Salt up: Eat salty food the day before your climb, and research hyponatremia.

There are multiple cattle grates on the climb. Go over them quickly and straight ahead. They are uncomfortable, but your bike can handle it.

Weekends see many pocket rocket motorcycles racing the South Grade. They can easily avoid cyclists as they have to also watch for rocks strewn in the road, but they make a peaceful climb unpleasantly noisy.

The East Grade is much quieter. Weekdays and rainy days are much quieter. Returning to civilization, you may prefer climbing the quieter Cole Grade over the gambling rush to the casinos on Valley Center Rd.

The climb ends 20 minutes after your legs have turned to mush.

updated 1/23/2008

Full Comm!tment Real Estate      2921 Roosevelt Street Carlsbad, CA 92008 Business: (760) 522-6728 Fax: (760) 454-1695 eMail:  Kimberly@FullCommitment.com www.FullCommitment.com