Socal Riders.

[HAMMERPETE]

Just wondering?
What rides have you been on lately?
STP and J ventures out to San Diego for the Honeymoon.

I managed to throw together a ride for them and thought to share the route with everyone.
This route is no big secret but a few have not heard of it.
Having a home base of Ramona sets the stage for many different rides. Everywhere you look its mountains and curves.
Our three rides in the past three days took us from the mountains to the desert.
First ride. Started Ramona Highway 78 to Santa Ysabel continuing on to Julian.
Once in Julian we went right on to HI 79. Then a left to Sunrise Hwy S1. This took us past Mt Laguna. Up to about 5800 ft in elevation. Then at the end of S1 we took istorical Hi 80 to Pine valley. Then took a right on HWY 79 back to Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. Then we proceeded back thru Julian on 79. Then taking Farmers RD. To Wynola Rd. This end at 78. Then a right back towards Ramona. Then at Witch Creek...yes where the Witch creek fire started, We took E. old Julian HWY.
The area has been ravaged by fires but the beauty is still there. Ride duration was about 90 miles

Second ride was Old Julian in reverse to HWY 79 to Santa Ysabel. Turning right on HWY 79. Then a left on Mesa Grande. (this road is very twisty). The drop down to Lake Henshaw is aweasome. Then we went left on HWY 76 along side Lake Henshaw. (On the left :The Henshaw grill serves up some really decent food.)(stop in after the trip to Mt. Palomar.)
Next as you go past the Lake start looking for S7 E. Grade Rd. This will lead up to Mt. Palomar. Some places still ahve some fire retardent in the corners but this will be gone with the first rain. At the end of E.grade stop in at Mother Kicthen. They have clean restrooms and cater to all bikers.
After that continue on S7 S. Grade Rd. This ride has some sweepers you could swear would never end. At the end we headed back to Ramona by turning left on HWY67.
Then back tracking up Mesa Grande. Then taking the reverse of 78 to Old Julian. (Ride duration back to Ramona was 116 miles)

At the end of the ride you can dice it up even more by going right at the end of the South grade.
This can be taken over to Rincon and Pauma Valley. Take Valley center Rd South. Then N. Lakel Wolford RD. This goes right past Lake Wohlford. Then a right on bear Valley parkway. Then a left on San Pasqual Valley rd. Go past the animal park and look for for Bandy Canyon Rd. This will run into Highland Valley rd. The end result is coming into Ramona at the intersection of HWY 67.

Our third ride was old Julian HWY north to 78 to Santa Ysabel. Left on 79 out to S2(right) then a left on S22. Nice flowing sweepers along the back side of Lake Henshaw. Then when you see the 8 % grade use low fear sign...you know the fun begins! They nicknamed this drop the "Glass Elevator" It seems rather fitting for the experience. We then took that into Borrego springs and continued on to the Salton Sea. (The lake covers a surface area of approximately 376 square miles (974 km²), making it the largest lake in California.)(it is located below sea level, with the current surface of the Sea at about 220 ft (65 m) below sea level)
We managed to get a really decent meal at the Travertine Grill just in Salton City.
I wish we had a bit more time we would have venture up to Joshua tree park then on to Big Bear. But I really think this is a good spring thaw or bloom ride.
This ride was only 137 miles.

[SoCalCruisin]

Thanks for the info on the rides Pete. I'd been thinking of doing a ride to Julian soon, but wondered if the aftermath of the fires would make in inadvisable. Sounds like it's okay tho.

Looks like we may head northeast of LA, which would be a distance for you, but what do you think of the Thanksgiving morning ride?

I'm gonna plan to do one of those rides you described soon too.

[HAMMERPETE]

Let me get back with you on that.
It all depends on home much cooking I have to do!