To the Stars

200km/11600ft ACP Brevet

Valentine’s Day is for lovers: lovers of climbing.

This 200k brevet is the “reduced” version of its 400k progenitor that only magnified the extent of climbing despite shorter distance.

The cliché Palomar climb is to ride up South Grade via Valley Center. At SD RANDOS, we scrap conventions. Instead this trek to the storied mountain will take the climb less traveled.

Starting from Escondido, you’ll face the immediate challenge of ascending Highland Valley Rd through San Diego County’s wine country as you pass vineyards dotted along the road as you pedal your way to Ramona. You’ll take Dye Rd and pass the “egg-straordinary” Happy Hens just south of Ramona town center before heading toward Main St where you have the option to stop at the Arco station to top off your water bottles and grab some snacks before the next climb.

Leaving Ramona, you’ll continue your climb to Mesa Grande via Black Canyon Rd. Just out of town, the paved road ends as you continue riding on a dirt. Though nothing too technical, Black Canyon has sections with wash boards and drainage ruts. After a short descent down to the Sutherland Dam Rd turnoff, you’ll make your way pass the reservation of the Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians. At the end of this climb, you’ll see the abandoned Mesa Grande General Store at the T-intersection where you’ll turn left and continue on Mesa Grande Rd. After a quick descent, you’ll continue on Hwy 76. There is the Lake Henshaw store and cafe next store.

About a mile after Lake Henshaw you’ll turn right to start your climb on fabled East Grade Rd. This 11-mile stretch is measured in two-tenth’s increments as you are reminded of your suffering’s painfully slow duration when you pass each mile marker. It is cold comfort knowing that East Grade is “less” steep than South Grade.

At the summit just after mile marker “11.2”, you’ll descend down to the Palomar Mountain General Store. Alas, the store is only part of the effort as you’ll need to muster up any remaining energy to reach the Palomar Observatory. The mile descent you will be enjoying will be met with the penultimate climb on Palomar as the downhill you just savored will be the final climb. Reaching the observatory parking lot, you have the option to walk your bike to the white domed building where the telescope is housed or backtrack to the general store.

The descent on South Grade will have many switchbacks to negotiate pass. After meeting up with Hwy 76, the road straightens out as you scream down toward Valley Center Rd where you’ll pass Harrah’s Results and then climb back up to Valley Center.

After the turn onto Lilac Rd, you’ll return to more pastural surroundings passing by avocado orchards and nurseries to reach Bonsall. Descending on West Lilac Rd, you’ll return to the hustle and bustle of San Diego’s suburban sprawl of Vista as you make your way through Vista and back to Escondido to the finish.

For the finish, you will complete a Strava art for which you can show to your beloved as demonstrations of your devotion after spending a day out on your bikes.

Reflectivity rule will be enforced as nighttime finish is expected.