387 - UCSD to Mt Palomar. 134 miles, 10942 ft el, 82 ft/mi

0.0 N Torrey Pines
3.7 R Carmel Valley
5.5 L El Camino
9.0 R San Dieguito
12.4 L El Apajo
12.9 R Via de Santa Fe
14.0 R Via de la Valle
14.1 L Via de Santa Fe
14.4 L Stumps Grocery –
Refuel at grocery
14.5 R Paseo Delicias
16.1 = Del Dios
21.0 R Rancho
21.3 L Lake
23.3 L Via Rancho
23.3 R Valley
25.2 L Auto Park
25.4 R Hale
25.9 R Washington
29.9 R El Norte
30.5 L Valley
31.3 R Lake Wohlford
39.1 R Valley Center
44.1 R Hwy 76
49.1 L Palomar S Grade
55.9 L Canfield
56.0 U Market – Refuel
56.2 R S Grade
63.0 R Hwy 76
71.0 L Cole Grade
77.1 R Miller
77.4 L Miller
79.3 R Valley Center
80.1 R Lilac
83.4 L W Lilac
86.8 L Circle R
89.9 R Champagne
90.0 L Camp Market –
Refuel at market
90.8 L Camino del Rey
95.3 L Old River
98.0 R old bridge path
98.3 L Holly
98.6 L Holly
98.9 L N River
102.2 L N River
102.6 L College
101.7 R San Luis Rey bike path
109.7 R RR underpass
109.8 L Pacific
112.2 L Cassidy
112.3 R Broadway
112.7 L Eaton
112.8 R Coast Hwy 101
130.8 R Torrey Pines St Park
132.7 R Torrey Pines
134.0 return to start

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.