557 - Ironman training ride. 112 miles, 8745 ft, 78 ft/mi

0.0 E Plum Tree
0.4 R Aviara
0.9 L Poinsettia
1.9 L Cassia
2.4 R El Camino
2.8 L Poinsettia
4.1 R El Fuerte
4.3 L Rancho Pancho
5.0 R Via Conquistador
5.1 L Rancho Caballo
5.2 L Carrillo
5.3 R Melrose
7.4 L San Elijo
8.5 R Elfin Forest
11.3 = Harmony Grove
15.6 R Harmony Grove
16.0 R Harmony Grove
16.3 L Hale
16.4 R W 11th
15.3 R Bernardo
15.7 thru barrier
18.2 L Gamble
18.5 R Felicita
19.7 L Via Rancho
21.0 R Sunset
21.4 = Hodges path
22.3 L Bernardo
22.8 L Highland Valley
36.2 L Hwy 67 / Main
40.1 R 3rd
42.1 L Old Julian Hwy
49.3 R Hwy 78 / Julian
54.1 L Hwy 79
61.1 L Hwy 76 / Pala
80.2 L Valley Center
85.2 L Lake Wohlford
93.1 L E Valley
93.8 R El Norte
94.5 L Washington
98.3 R Washington
98.7 L Mission
99.9 L Barham
102.9 R Craven
103.9 L Discovery
104.9 R Discovery
105.2 L San Marcos
107.0 = Palomar Airport
111.7 L Hidden Valley
112.3 R Poinsettia Park

This route is used by Ironman champions as a full distance training ride.
For better roads, including Mesa Grande and Palomar Mtn, see route 556, which is 127 miles.

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.