Trolley Century 165k

165km/4000ft RUSA Populaire

Where does the trolley tracks end?

While not exactly inspired by the Silverstein book, this 165k populaire will take you on a ride along the tracks and the end stations they reach, with an excursion to Friendship Park in Border Field State Park.

Leaving Coronado Brewing’s Knoxville St tasting room, you’ll head south following the Blue Line on Harbor Dr until you peel off to stay on the Bayshore Bikeway. Riding through Imperial Beach, you’ll cross the US portion of the Tijuana River. Be warned that the hideous order that imamates from the river turned open sewer reminds us of the environmental catastrophe that has descended upon the region.

Entering Border Field State Park, the paved road gives way to dirt as you see the US-Mexico border marked by the ominous fence that follows the undulating shape of the landscape. At Friendship Park, you’ll see that fence makes its way into the Pacific Ocean where it disappears into the rolling waves.

Leaving the coast, you’ll make your way to San Ysidro where you’ll reconnect up to the southern terminus of the Blue Line where people cross the border. Making your way north, you will follow the trolley track back to Barrios Logan where you’ll now catch the Orange Line tracks heading east. Through the neighborhoods of East San Diego, you’ll pass Mount Hope Cemetary where historic luminaries such as Alonzo Horton and Kate Sessions rest eternally, though not in peace as the trolley tracks run right through the cemetery.

Through Lemon Grove, La Mesa and El Cajon where the Orange Line ends at Arnele Ave Station, you will reach the Santee Trolley Square where the Green Line starts. Climbing your way out of “The Box”, you’ll connect up to the trolley track near SDSU, riding through campus and back down to Mission Valley to continue your trolley trek to Fashion Valley where you’ll now start your northbound journey.

Rolling along Genesee Ave and its endless traffic lights, you’ll arrive at UTC which is where the Blue Line starts on an elevated track. Its abrupt termination makes it appear as if it is still incomplete. Continuing your ride following the tracks, you’ll pass UCSD and ride down Rose Canyon and Rose Creek bike paths, both upgraded as part of the Blue Line extension. Not long afterwards you’ll return to Coronado Brewing to celebrate your finish with their world-famous beers and pizzas.

Be forewarned that this route traverses through primarily urban areas where traffic lights seem endless and not the most scenic. But the trolley construction has brought about many miles of bike paths along the side of the tracks.

Please read our accepted proof of passage.