I think this would be a great trail to start with. I would consider this a more XCish ride. This trail is a true Intermediate ride. There are a couple technical steep climbs, and short technical steep drops, but nothing too extreme. Total mileage is about 14 miles and it should take 2-3 hours depending on our pace. I ride it in 1 1/2 hours with few stops, but being in a group with some possible slower riders, it make longer.
The ride starts at Bicycle Warehouse in Pacific Beach. We park at the store and take the road (Santa Fe) North for about 1.8 miles. Since we are connecting three canyons, there will be a bit of road riding getting to each canyon. At the end of the road, we drop down and follow railroad tracks for a bit. If the water is low, we quickly cross a stream and then climb up a small hill overlooking I-5. We take this to to Rose Canyon and ride some single track through California Oak groves and chaparral. After a few miles we climb out of Rose Canyon, take another road and drop down to San Clemente Canyon.
Have a little fun with a few small steep urban assault areas. San Clemente is awesome with nice technical single track and couple climbs. As we slowly climb back out San Clemente, it's time to hook up with Tecolote Canyon.
As we drop in Tecolote Canyon, there is some more urban assault near the top and a nice steep short downhill section with a hard turn at the bottom. The ride picks up speed as the single track opens up with twists and turns. The trail opens up further for a true full speed charge out of the canyon. As we climb out, we have a bit of road to finish up with before we are back to the cars.
What Time works? 4:30, 5, 6...
I drive a Silver PASSAT Wagon, red Intenese Uzzi
The ride starts at Bicycle Warehouse in Pacific Beach. We park at the store and take the road (Santa Fe) North for about 1.8 miles. Since we are connecting three canyons, there will be a bit of road riding getting to each canyon. At the end of the road, we drop down and follow railroad tracks for a bit. If the water is low, we quickly cross a stream and then climb up a small hill overlooking I-5. We take this to to Rose Canyon and ride some single track through California Oak groves and chaparral. After a few miles we climb out of Rose Canyon, take another road and drop down to San Clemente Canyon.
Have a little fun with a few small steep urban assault areas. San Clemente is awesome with nice technical single track and couple climbs. As we slowly climb back out San Clemente, it's time to hook up with Tecolote Canyon.
As we drop in Tecolote Canyon, there is some more urban assault near the top and a nice steep short downhill section with a hard turn at the bottom. The ride picks up speed as the single track opens up with twists and turns. The trail opens up further for a true full speed charge out of the canyon. As we climb out, we have a bit of road to finish up with before we are back to the cars.
What Time works? 4:30, 5, 6...
I drive a Silver PASSAT Wagon, red Intenese Uzzi
neaky: OK, here's a link to a short vid from some of the trail.
