We all know the Detour Demons are hard at work this year. Greg had to deal with a horde of them on the recent Solana Beach 400k and I had to deal with the same ones plus several more. Curiously, the end result may actually be an improvement. When life hands you lemons...
Before I start with the route changes, let me give you the good news that I have negotiated a 15% group discount for anyone booking a room at the Motel 6. If you book your room directly with the motel at (714) 634-2441 or through group services (800) 544-4866 and mention reservation #1004B00065 for PCH RANDOS you can save about $40 over the three nights. If you have already booked your room you can still get the discount if you call either of the two numbers with your reservation number. Please use this block reservation if you are arriving on Friday night. If enough people use it, we can get the same discount next year.
Loop 1
I have moved control #3 because I needed extra miles to compensate for a change in loop 2. This has the advantage of removing that awkward turn onto San Gabriel Parkway and the busy traffic on it. You will now continue a little further on the San Gabriel bike path to Peck Rd and then use a Shell station which also contains a Subway. There is a 10 yard section of dirt between the bike path and Peck Rd. Use the sidewalk to return to the bike path when you exit the control.
At mile 47, instead of the awkward turn onto San Gabriel Parkway you can go straight across Rosemead Blvd onto a semi-paved trail that takes you straight to the Rio Hondo bikepath where you pickup the old route. It's very rideable, even for 'bents and tandems. This is the same trail I mentioned on the 300k. You can still ride on San Gabriel Parkway if you really want to.
The Long Beach beach path is almost finished but as of the 21st it did not extend to Belmont Pier so we will be using the same detour that the Solana Beach 400k used. You will use Shoreline to go to 1st st which is bike friendly. If they have completed the beach path by the 4th I will try to let you know. Basically you're free to use whichever route through this section you are most comfortable with. Control #4 is more open now that we are approaching from a different direction. There are several good options including an Arco, 76, Mobil, 7-11, and Round Table Pizza. After the control you will use Livingston and 2nd to get back onto the old route.
I was preparing to take a photo of the Rio Hondo trail when I heard hoof beats and saw a horse galloping on a trail just above me. Hard to believe we're in L.A. County, isn't it?
Loop 2
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/7224487Most of us are familiar with the detour on Riverdale Ave between Tustin and Lakeview. It's 1.2 miles long and adds almost no mileage. Much as I hate being diverted off my bike path, this detour is very respectful of the needs of cyclists. You will have this detour at the end of the loop also.
The Chevron which used to be control #6 has disappeared. It is now a dirt lot. You can use the Arco across the road or the In-n-Out or Lucky Greek on the far side of the 91 freeway. I like the Lucky Greek. You can get fries or toast and soda and be on your way in 15 minutes. However, for this year only, I will also allow any business at the top of Green River hill around mile 18 of the loop. This option leaves a long gap to control #7 so be warned. I'm sure something will have replaced the Chevron by next year's 600k.
As you leave control #6 you will see that Auto Center Drive is closed. Turn Right on Pomona and then Left on Maple. Then turn Left on Smith to return to the old route. This detour shortens the route slightly and adds a few feet of climbing. It's actually quite nice.
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| Walnut is a tough climb but the view from the top is nice once the dizziness passes |
At the top of the ride in Beaumont we have another detour that shortens the route. The east end of Oak Valley parkway is closed to cyclists. Looking at the road work I can see why. You will turn from Brookside onto Oak View and enjoy a lovely descent to Oak Valley Parkway where you will turn Right again and ride to the Chevron (control #8) or one of the small businesses in the strip mall there. This control is easier to get to than the old control and is open 24 hours for the more speed challenged of us.
About mile 123 of this loop, I dealt with some road work on Grand in Corona. It's short but unpleasant. Please be sure to be careful here and have all your lights blazing.
Loop 3
Most of Newport Beach is a construction zone, it seems. Even though they've closed the bike lane on PCH, they've created a new one for us which was really nice of them.
Some riders have had problems with the Dana Point control #12 in the past and I see Dana Point has reconfigured one of their intersections so I've decided to simplify the route through Dana Point and make it an open control. You no longer need to turn on Golden Lantern - just follow Del Prado all the way to Dana Point Harbor Drive and turn right there. You can use any business in Dana Point as the control. There are several convenient 24 hour business near the bottom of Del Prado. This change shortens the route very slightly and simplifies it.
As you probably know, Interstate 5 is closed to cyclists at this time and cyclists are allowed to pass through Camp Pendleton. You must have photo ID to pass through the camp. If you cannot get through the camp for some reason there is a shuttle service available. If you need to use the shuttle service you must inform me so we can make arrangements for you to make up the miles. Using Camp Pendleton adds about 3 miles total. Consequently I can make Oceanside an open control (#13). This will be convenient for the straight-through riders because they can use the Mobil or Chevron gas stations on Harbor at the north end of Oceanside. You are free to use any business in Oceanside. This change cuts out an unpleasant stretch of North Coast Hwy.
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| Bike path north of Camp Pendleton, looking north. |
Feedback
Some of these route changes might be worth keeping. I'm looking for feedback, both positive and negative on these changes. Also, for reading the entire blog entry you get to tell me what pizza toppings you want at the end of the ride. Please email me and I'll try to accommodate everyone.
Terry, thanks for the route updates. You know any pizza topping works at the end of 600k. And we'll give you our feedback on the route changes once we've done the ride.
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