701 Palomar Mountain - 98 miles, 4130 ft el, 97 ft/mi

0.0 NE Tamarack
1.2 R Carlsbad Village 
1.5 L College
8.2 R N River / Vandegrift 
8.5 R N River 
11.8 R Holly 
12.1 R Kari 
12.4 R bike path bridge
14.5 L Old River 
14.2 R Camino del Rey
19.8 R Old Hwy 395 
21.0 L Old Castle
26.5 R Lilac
29.8 L Valley Center 
31.1 L Cole Grade 
31.7 R Fruitvale
33.5 R Mac Tan 
34.0 L Vesper
34.8 R Sunset 
35.3 L Valley Center
40.6 R CA-76
45.5 L S Grade/Palomar Mountain 
52.3 L S Grade
52.4 U Mother´s Kitchen -
Break Mother´s kitchen
52.5 R S Grade/Palomar Mountain
59.2 R CA-76
64.3 L Valley Center 
69.3 L Lake Wohlford 
77.1 L E Valley 
77.4 R Beven 
77.5 L bike path
78.0 R El Norte
81.3 R Broadway 
82.8 L Country Club
84.8 L Country Club 
84.9 R El Norte
85.2 L Woodland 
86.7 R Barham 
88.6 R Craven 
89.5 L Discovery 
90.5 R Discovery 
90.9 L San Marcos
92.5 = Palomar Airport
94.7 R El Camino Real
98.0 return to start
Toughest climb in the county. All rides start from home!

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.