556 Mt Palomar, out Highland Valley, back Lake Wohlford. 127 miles, 11464', 90 ft/mi

0.0 L Hidden Valley
0.6 R Palomar Airport
1.5 R Palomar Oaks
2.2 R Camino Vida Roble
3.1 L El Camino
3.5 R Gateway
4.7 R Palomar Airport
7.5 R Discovery
7.9 L Discovery
8.9 R Craven
10.2 L Campus View
10.9 L La Moree
11.0 R Barham
12.6 R Meyers
12.9 R Corporate
13.2 L Progress
13.2 R Country Club
14.0 L Kauana Loa
15.0 R Harmony Grove
15.3 L Hale
15.4 R W 11th
16.3 R Bernardo
16.7 thru barrier
17.5 L Park
18.0 R Felicita
18.7 L Via Rancho
20.0 R Sunset
20.4 = Hodges path
21.3 L Bernardo
21.8 L Highland Valley
35.2 L Hwy 67 / Main
39.0 R 3rd
41.1 L Old Julian Hwy
47.2 R Hwy 78 / Julian
53.0 L Hwy 79
55.0 L Mesa Grande
67.1 L Hwy 76 / Pala
69.6 R E Grade
81.1 L S Grade
88.0 R Hwy 76
92.8 L Valley Center
97.8 L Lake Wohlford
105.7 L E Valley
106.4 R El Norte
112.6 L Woodland
114.2 R Barham
116.1 R Craven
117.0 L Discovery
118.0 R Discovery
118.2 L San Pablo
118.3 R San Pablo
118.7 R San Marino
119.3 R Hermosita
119.5 R Cam Arroyo
119.8 L Rancho SF
120.6 R Redwing
121.2 R Paseo Descanso
121.4 L Carrillo
121.7 R Rancho Caballo
121.8 R V Conquistador
121.9 L Rancho Pancho
122.5 R El Fuerte
122.8 L Poinsettia
124.1 R El Camino
124.4 L Cassia
125.0 R Poinsettia
126.0 R Aviara
126.5 L Plum Tree
126.8 = Poinsettia Park

If you just want to do an Ironman 112 mile ride, see route 557. This route 556 is a better choice if you have the extra, as it includes side detours up Mesa Grande and Palomar Mountain, and takes some side streets on the out & back

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.