San Diego Randonneurs

Name: Oceanside 600
Distance: 600km (ACP)
Date: Saturday, April 4, 2009
Worker's Ride: Saturday, March 21, 2009
Registration Starts: 06:00am
Ride Starts: 07:00am
Time Limit: 40 Hours
Ride Ends: 11:00pm (Sunday)
Important Documents:
Route sheet Loop 1 pdf, xls, Map
Route sheet Loop 2 pdf, xls, Map                                                                   
Route sheet Loop 3 pdf, xls, Map 
Loop 1,2,3 Elevation

Start Location: Motel 6, I-5/San Diego Freeway at Coast Highway
909 North Coast Highway, Oceanside, Ca 92054 (760) 721-1543

Description:  Loop 1 is a short scenic and challenging 78 miles. From the Motel the route will go directly
to the San Luis Rey bike path and head east with a tail wind. Sleeping Indian Rd at Mile 11 will be your
first double digit climb as you make their way up to Fallbrook and then hit the big rollers in the De Luz
area at mile 21. At mile 30.2 with the turn onto De Luz - Murrietta Rd, the real fun begins. The road is
rough and there are a few water crossings. The water isn't deep, but there is this green moss/slime that
can make the crossings extremely slippery. My advice is to walk across them. If you do decide to ride them,
stay in the middle of the road. The moss/slime is worse on the sides. Once you clear De Luz and climb a
section of Rancho California Rd, keep your eyes peeled for magnificent views off your left. You'll then descend
into Temecula and route to the control. Tourist traffic can be heavy, so stay alert. Mile 54 you'll turn onto Live
Oak Rd, which is a gorgeous section through a canopy of old California Oaks. Eventually you'll get back to
the bike path you came out on originally. The Bike Path is normally 7 miles of headwind, so it's a good place
to work with others to mitigate the impact of the headwinds.

Loop 2 at 154 miles is the longest and toughest loop. The first 23 miles are a pleasant jaunt down the coast.
Again traffic can be an issue particularly in the coastal towns and the beach areas.  Think and look ahead at
all times. Parking is at a premium along the coast and folks go after parking spots like randonneurs go after
receipts. A hazard particular to the area are the surfers loading and unloading there surfboards while parked
along the side of the road. All it takes is for a surfer to turn the board the wrong way and you be "boarded".
For those of you who have not ridden the coast before, you'll quickly learn what I'm talking about. Seriously,
it's not that bad, just be careful. At mile 21 or so, say good-bye to the Pacific and climb Torrey Pines. Your
choice, inside or outside. At mile 31.41 is a troublesome spot. You'll need to get to the right while cars are
merging towards you from the right. If you don't have nerves of carbon fiber rather than steel and  you can
stop in the traffic island space and wait until it's safe to merge to your right. At mile 34.9, you'll enter the Old
Town area and eventually make your way back to Pacific Highway and ride through downtown San Diego down
past the Navy Base to National City. You'll make your way further south to the Chula Vista control at the 7-11
store at mile 51.95. MAKE SURE YOU FILL UP ON WATER HERE, IT IS THE LAST STORE UNTIL MILE 89 AND THE
LAST WATER UNTIL MILE 69.8) At approx mile 56 or so, you're in rural San Diego County and the riding is a
little less hectic. At mile 64.45, you'll make a left turn onto SR94 (make sure you are clear to the right, cars
are coming fast!), and then a right onto Honey Springs Rd at mile 64.62. Honey Springs is one of the big climbs
in San Diego County at approx 8 miles in length. 5.2 miles into the climb at approx mile 69.8, there is a fire
station. Water (from a spigot) and bathrooms are avail on the left side of the bldg. From here it's less than
2 miles to the summit. After summiting there is a short downhill to an intersection where you will turn right.
There is a store approx 1 mile off the route to your left on Lyons Valley Rd. The store closes at 17:00 (5 P.M.)
The right onto Lyons Valley Rd will take you across some pretty big rollers, but nothing too serious. It's a good
stretch of road. Eventually you'll get to the Alpine Control at Carl Jr's. at mile 89.8.  Your next control is an
Info control in Crest at the summit at mile 97.2. Make sure you have a pencil to write down the answer to the
control question. From here it's mostly downhill to mile 109.32 where you'll start the climb up SR67 to Scripps
Poway Parkway at mile 113.54. After descending into Poway you'll make your way to the Poway control at mile
121.  From Poway, you'll make your way back to the coast via surface streets and bike paths and reunite
with the Pacific at mile 133.8. From here it's an easy 20 miles back to the Oceanside Control.

Loop 3. Loop 3 goes north from Oceanside along the coast. If you leave Oceanside prior to 0700 you'll
have to take the Northbound I-5 option rather than routing through the base. I-5 is noisy and there's crap
on the shoulder. However, it is shorter than going through the Marine Base. As this loop is an out and back
course, when coming south and it's past 1700, you'll have to take the freeway option. This route particularly from
mile 25 on can have a lot or beach and tourist traffic. Be on the look out for car doors, pedestrians, etc. At mile
60.9 you'll be on a bike path for approx 10 miles. At mile 64.25, you'll come to a  "Y" where you'll turn left and
cross a bridge to continue north on the bike path. There are also numerous ride arounds and a narrow tunnel. So
you'll need to pay attention, particularly if it's dark. If it's late night, you might want to pair up with another rider
on this section.


Parking. The Oceanside Iron Man is going on the same day as our 600K. Parking will be difficult to find. Obviously
if you are not a guest at the Motel 6 start, you shouldn't be parking there. You might want to park at the AMTRAK
station which is very close to the motel at 235 South Tremont St. 

Motel 6 Control. The Motel 6 control (my room) is not a sleep or shower control. As much as I like you
people I can not accommodate 20 riders. If I can't provide a bed/shower to everyone, then I can't provide
a bed/shower to anyone. That's how a neutral control works. And chances are I may not be in the room due
to SAG duties when you arrive at the control. If this is the case, simply have the night clerk initial your card,
or get a receipt from a local business.  I will stock the room with snacks, water, etc and you are you are certainly
welcome to hang out if I am there.

SAG Support. If you DNF I will come and get you. However it may take some time. So I would recommend getting
to someplace you can spend a few hours.

Weather. Be prepared for cool night time temperatures, particularly on loop 2.
 
 

Registration: Closed