3000 feet of climbing outside my door
January 4th, 2010 Categories: San Diego County Bike Rides
CARLSBAD- Back in the day, the climb in coastal north county was Alga. You often times could find pro triathletes doing repeats and it was oft quoted as part of a solid training program. Well that was then and this is now. Thanks to the recent building boom, which has taken away some great rides, it has created new ride opportunities into what used to be mountain bike territory. And if it’s mountain bike territory, you can count on some solid climbs.
The new king of the coastal climbs has to be San Elijo Road/ Twin Oaks Valley. The area of Double Peak in San Marcos, used to be the domain of the rich, the offroader, the mountain biker and the partiers, but no more. I had watched for quite some time as the road was cut up the side of the hill in anticipation of the coming climb and while the road has been open sometime, this morning, I headed out for our meeting.
The route I was going to ride was to have quite a few coastal bumps to climb on my way to King in order to warm the legs up. I headed south down El Camino Real from my home and then east on Palomar Airport Road which then took me through Lake San Marcos to the start of the north climb outside the entry to Cal State San Marcos. 
The climb was very nice with little traffic, a nice road surface and spectacular views awaiting at the summit. It was the type of climb I like where you can select a gear and just steadily tap out a rhythm taking you to the top. No surprises or undulation. It is pretty much straight up.
As I crested the top I was greeted by amazing views with usually hidden San Clemente Island sitting off the coast. I would say the first two thirds of the climb are the most difficult and unlike the outside route at Torrey Pines, once you hit the right hand bend you really are at the finish. Probably the smartest thing the developers and or city did was place a fire station at the crest. Medical help when you may need it most!!
The rest of the route came benefit of living near a fault zone and I had a small climb up to the La Costa Oaks area and then two more from La Costa Avenue to Poinsettia and lastly the new College Ave. climb created by the building in the Calavera Hills area of Carlsbad.
In all it was a comfortable ride with just over 3000’ of climbing in 30 miles. That’s a GREAT training ride outside my door!!
What a find! How does the steepness compare to Torrey Pines? (TP is my benchmark for all inclines.)
It is steeper than outside Torrey but not as steep as inside. There also really is no fluctuation of grade until you get to closing couple hundred meters.
It is steeper than outside Torrey but not as steep as inside. I think the biggest difference is it a consistent climb and grade does not fluctuate until you hit the closing couple hundred meters. The view as you come over the top is AMAZING!!!
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