We’ve all been waiting patiently for the rest of the cues and the GPS track so we can start planning out the details of the ride.
What’s taking so long?
We’ve changed up the route; essentially turning it from a counterclockwise loop to a clockwise loop. But that rabbit hole is a little deeper than that might sound.
How come it’ll be going the other way?
We want to offer up the best possible dirt touring route possible, with the best representation of our little slice of Southern California. Like one of those routes the Adventure Cycling Association has. In that vein, we will now get to ride Palm Canyon and later, Noble Canyon. Both are Southern California classics.
What are the practical differences?
The route is a bit harder, and a bit more mountain bike-y.
What had been climbs are now descents, and vice versa. The route will start with the “desert” section, which means at one point the route will take you from below sea level (Salton Sea) to nearly 4k ft on Pinyon Mountain, by way of some beautiful but sandy roads. (Fish Creek Wash in the Anza Borrego State Park) We will climb Oriflamme Canyon (the stuff of legend) into the Cuyamacas & Lagunas. The addition of these two singletracks and the reversal of Oriflamme & Fish Creek wash are the most significant changes your legs will notice.
Does this affect the mileage?
It might make the route a bit shorter, since we’ll descend from the San Jacintos further south.
So when will the route be set up and ready?
Soon. Promise! We’ve got 200 miles of the clockwise route mapped & cues’d, and need to get the reverse track set for the “first 117” you’ve already seen and some of the urban/San Diego Bay area. Hopefully the whole shebang will be done inside of two weeks.
We’ll be posting more info on the route, the cues, and SPOT registration here.
SoCal Bikepacking 