I am renting a beach house in Carlsbad in a few weeks and would like to get in some riding. Can some of you local North County folks give me some ideas for areas to ride. The wife would probably frown if I dissapear for more than 3 hours since this is a family vacation but would love some ideas from locals. Also should I bring my tri bike or road bike?
Other than going to La Jolla Cove for a swim, what else should a visiting triathlete try to do when down there for a week?
Thanks,
Mike
Mike,
Here is a link to a site listing North County rides. It is maintained my one of the North Coast Cycle Club members. There is a link to their site on the page.
http://www.kimberlygross.com/Nav.aspx/Page=/PageManager/Default.aspx/PageID=459665
Also check out the San Diego Triathletes and Triathlon Club of San Diego websites for group rides, as well as some group swims.
Lastly there is also a Masters swim program at the Carlsbad High School pool. Weekday mornings are from 6-7:15, and there is also a group at lunch time. I think that the non-resident fee is $6.
Oh, and if you bring the road bike, you should try a ride up Palomar. Just be careful of the motorcycles that like to do the ride on the weekends.
Jeromy
Also check out the UCSD cycling team website (http://www.ucsdcycling.org) … they have several rides of varying difficulties and lengths with relief maps that you could adapt to ride from carlsbad. And as the above poster said, definitely do Palomar.
Make sure you ride the 101 up and down the coast once too. Very scenic ride (although very flat) and you’ll probable see a plethora of other riders.
Also, depending on when you are here check out or race one of these events. Always well organized and normally pretty fast: www.kozenterprises.com
-bcreager
PALOMAR? that’s just mean!! 
Thanks for all the great ideas! So is it that bad? How long would it take?
I live in Nor Cal and we have some pretty good mountains here as well. Of course some of our roads are shaded by redwoods and fir trees which I don’t see much of down there in the land of eternal sunshine. As for masters swims, I think I will limit my swimming to ocean swims since we can’t do that up here and I love swimming in the ocean. I even recall seeing spiny lobsters off Tamarack Beach if you stuck your head under some off shore ledges in about 15 feet of water.
Other than Tamarack, what other beaches should we check out?
If you start from Carlsbad it’s an 8 hour ride, easily. Trust me it’s not all that especially if it’s warm, it will be a death ride. There are plenty of decent rides around here. No need to ride Palomar!
Nah, it’s an 8 hour ride from La Jolla. I would know, I’ve done it. Probably more of a 6 or 7 hour affair. As for comparison to NorCal climbs, I would rank it a step up from Mt. Diablo without the kicker at the summit. Slightly steeper with less flats and slight longer.
Elfin forest is always a nice route, though. Especially if you hook up with the Swami’s ride.
so have I along with some others, maybe we’re slow but it took us 8 hours. just a little over 100 miles from Poinsettia and PCH.
Meet at B&L 0800 Saturday mornings to ride with a group of really good Cat 1-3 types (roadies) through the legendary ‘Elfin Forest.’ Take 101S into Solana Beach, B&L is on your right.
If I see you there, I’ll buy you a Cytomax.
Hey, he asked. That is by far the coolest ride that I have done out here.
Jeromy
Well thank you…although probably can’t make a Saturday ride since I arrive Saturday and leave following Saturday…bummer! I will be sure to give you a cold drink at the mile two half Vineman aid station this weekend. Look for the TriDogs banner. You are coming up aren’t you? I live pretty much right on the bike course so taking this year off to volunteer.
Send a PM to Mike Plumb
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I would say, stick to north/south routes right now with the heat
Two rides I like and will be doing this weekend:
55 miles on the coast group ride, fast, check www.cyclo-vets.org
Mission Valley to Temecula and back, endurance ride, small group (but this ride is a wee bit longer than 3 hours)
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Hello,
I’m suprised no one said San Clemente. Now that the gates are open, it is a great ride. Also, within the three hour time limit would be Sleeping Indian through Bonsall. Tri Club San Diego has a group swim Monday PM at 6 at Tamarack beach and Friday AM at 6:30-7 at a double secret, don’t say it out loud location.
I live off Tamarack, so feel free to call. 760-415-3329.
Brian
Hi Brian
When you mention “gates”, are you referring to the Marine base? Can I just head north and go through it all the way to San Clemente? Sounds pretty cool…
Apologies for missing out on VM. I was in DC with my daughter (college seminar attendance), just getting back Sunday morning; really beat with jet-lag.
Next time…