"This is not Disneyland, or Hollywood. I'll give you an example: I've read that I flew up the hills and mountains of France. But you don't fly up a hill. You struggle slowly and painfully up a hill, and maybe, if you work very hard, you get to the top ahead of everybody else." - Lance Armstrong
Everyone must have a signed Recyclers Participation, Release and Indemnity Agreement on file with the club in order to participate
The Recyclers meet at 8:00 AM and roll out at 8:15 AM
Please review the Frequently Asked Questions if you would like to join us.
December
December 1
Charlie's Bread
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Distance: 34 mi
Climb: 931 ft
A relatively flat ride starting in Del Cerro, going west through Mission Valley, and up the center of Mission Bay to Charlie's Best Bread**. Then, we return along the west side of Mission Bay and through Mission Valley to return to the start.
**The Charlie's Best Bread ride may not actually contain Charlie's Best Bread. Ride leader may substitute alternative coffee stops of equal or lesser value without notice.
December 8
Around Town
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Distance 32 mi
Climb 1229 ft
Could this have been called “Why OB Normal?”, yes, but Around Town is just what the doctor Z ordered. This one starts at the familiar Old Town Trolley station parking lot and heads west to Ocean Beach. After a little climb we drop down to San Diego Bay and skirt Balboa Park on our way to Kensington and Normal Heights. After riding in circles and every which way, we head back west to Hillcrest and down to Old Town.
December 15
Cruising the Eastern Hood
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Distance: 38.6 mi
Climb: 2150 ft
A ride around the eastern neighborhoods of San Diego and La Mesa. Starting at Lake Murray, we drop into Santee, climb the Hwy 52 bike path to Tierrasanta, then cross through Kearny Mesa before heading into Mission Valley for a coffee stop. We return through Mission Valley and the College area.
December 22
A Jewel, a Loch, and a Magic Cristobal
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Distance: 33.4 mi
Climb: 1325 ft*
Join us on this magical journey through the five kingdoms of Middle San Diego on our quest toward the Loch to vanquish the beastly Panniculus and free the Jewel for its return to its rightful place at the foot of lonely Mount Soledad. Along the way we may encounter flying beasts guarding their secluded Miramar den, sun beaten Anglers who prey upon the inhabitants of the Loch, and a Hall of Knowledge where the Boffins roam in their pursuit of enhanced cognitive perception. It will be a long journey with many trials and it will not be until after we conquer the Loch that we will be able to seek respite at the shop of Panera the Caffeinated. We continue our journey by looking north to Aquarius and consulting the magic Cristobal to understand that our future lies to the west. Feeling buoyed by our success we will muster our strength to climb up to the 7 realms of the Boffins before our final descent to the carriages
December 29
Jesmond Dene Ride
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Distance: 39.1 mi
Climb: 2050 ft
Starting from Kit Carson Park travel north along Bear Valley Parkway past San Pasqual Valley Road up to Daley Ranch. From there we go west on El Norte Parkway until turning north to Jesmond Dene Park for a quick stop. After a nice climb up Jesmond Dene, we head west to loop around San Marcos where we take a coffee break. Next we shadow Hwy 78 east toward Harmony Grove on our way to Via Rancho Parkway, ending at Kit Carson Park.
January
January 5
Don Fritgzes' San Diego Bay Ride
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Distance: 33.5 mi
(excludes ferry ride)
Climb: 350 ft
An easy flat ride that meets at NTC Park in Liberty Station (on Cushing Rd just east of Dewey Rd - 92106). This is a very nice, not too difficult ride, that takes us around the San Diego Bay, and then up the Silver Strand for a coffee break at the Coronado Ferry Landing. We ride the ferry back to the downtown then ride along Harbor Dr to get back to Liberty Station. It's a great ride for first timers and old timers alike.
January 12
ZOWIE! CLANK! POW!ay
Distance: 33.3 mi
Climb: 1800 ft
Holy glycogenic gleanings caped crusaders! It’s time for another, spirited, semi-slopy, circuitous cycling safari!
On our quest, we will first search Saber Springs for the Cavalier and then with Mercy we enter the Black Mountain where villains hide in the shadows. Be sure to keep an eye out for Penguin and Mr. Freeze as we pass the Ice Arena on our way to search the streets of Mira Mesa for Zodiac Master. While we are there, Avenida del Gato and Calico Street will be our best opportunity to spot Catwoman. As we make our way east, we scout tree-lined Pomerado for Poison Ivy, on our way to the wild west city of POW!ay to look for Shame and Okie Annie. Finally, after thoroughly inspecting the city for the Riddler, Egghead, King Tut, and any other miscreant we fall upon, we turn Adam West and return to the Batcave for a well-deserved Batburger.
January 19
A Little Like Vomit
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Distance: 34.3 mi
Climb: 1156 ft
Starting in Old Town, we go west around Mission Bay and then up through La Jolla. Once we hit UCSD, we do our best to confuse everyone before exiting toward Miramar where we take a quick coffee break. Next we head south on Kearny Villa Rd, following the Vomitting Sheep route in reverse, returning to the Old Town transit parking lot.
January 26
Nando's Ride
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Distance: 37.3 mi
Climb: 1575 ft*
Fernando Fernandez's variation on our series of Rancho Santa Fe rides. Starting in Del Mar, ride down to the 56 Bike Path, then north through Fairbanks Ranch, Rancho Santa Fe, and Olivenhain. We finish out the ride by heading to the coast along La Costa Ave and then down Highway 101 to return to the start.
February
February 2
Island Hopping Ride
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Distance: 36.3 mi
Climb: 638 ft
Get out your hurricane glasses and tiny umbrellas, it's time to go island hopping. From Old Town we go north to circumnavigate Fiesta Island. Next, we travel around the vast maritime expanse known as Mission Bay and head down to our second destination, Shelter Island. After a quick layover we take flight to Harbor Island before once again navigating the Pacific (highway) and concluding our adventure.
February 9
Spring Valley Swing
Distance: 35.3 mi
Climb: 1390 ft
Starting at Pepper Park, we head north on Harbor to Chicano Park. After passing through Balboa Park, we head east along Landis and University until we reach La Mesa. Heading south, we visit Spring Valley and the Sweetwater Reservoir, following the Sweetwater River past Plaza Bonita and back to Pepper Park.
February 16
Old Julian Highway
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Distance: 31 mi
Climb: 1643 ft
A scenic and challenging back country ride starting at Dos Picos Park in Ramona. After we make our way around the southwestern end of Ramona we climb the Old Julian Highway to the junction with Highway 78. Then a swift downhill return to stop for coffee at Packards in downtown Ramona.
February 23
Choose Your Poison
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Distance: 34.1 mi
Climb: 1461 ft
This is a nice coastal zone ride designed to be ridden clockwise, counterclockwise, or as a figure 8. We start in Mission Bay and go west… or east… let’s just say north until we get to UCSD. Once we hit La Jolla Village Dr we go… let’s just say north again, going down North Torrey Pines Rd and then turning south before going up the Sorrento Valley to UCSD bike path… or vice versa. After a quick break in La Jolla, we continue south to Mission Bay. Before and during the ride, we will choose the path we want to take.
March
March 2
Santee Saunter
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Distance: 32.5 mi
Climb: 1000 ft
Starting at Santee's West Hills Park just east of the 52 on Mast Blvd, we go south to Prospect and around Gillespie Field to Vernon. We turn north on Winter Gardens to Lindo Lake and continue to San Vicente Reservoir. Next, we ride southwest through Lakeside to Mast Blvd and then over for an easy ride through Santee Lakes before returning to the start.
March 9
The Vomiting Sheep Ride
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Distance: 38.2 mi
Climb: 1070 ft*
This ride starts in Mission Bay Park and continues through Linda Vista before we make our way to Mira Mesa. We then turn west toward UCSD where we have a coffee stop before riding down Gilman Drive to the Rose Canyon Bike Path and back to Mission Bay Park.
March 16
Northern Hodgepodge
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Distance: 32.1 mi
Climb: 1800 ft*
Have you ever said to yourself "Man, I wish I could string together a whole bunch of Recycler rides, I wish I knew what it was like to ride this road in the opposite direction, or I wish I could climb as many steep hills as possible in a single ride!!!" Well, in this ride two of your three wishes will come true. Join us at the Solana Beach train station for a big loop around Encinitas, La Costa, Rancho Santa Fe, and San Dieguito.
March 23
Tour De Campus
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Distance: 32.8 mi
Climb: 1331 ft
This ride starts at Mission Bay and goes through Rose Canyon and up to UCSD. After climbing Gillman Drive, we cross the campus and make our way to the top of Torrey Pines Road. We ride back down La Jolla Scenic Drive through Bird Rock and Pacific Beach along the coast then back to Mission Bay.
March 30
El Monte Park Ride
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Distance: 34.5 mi
Climb: 1295 ft
Beginning at Woodglen Vista Park in Santee, we go west to Mission Trails Park then climb up and around Cowles Mountain before dropping into Santee. We continue out through Lakeside to get to El Monte Park for a quick break. We return through Lakeside and Santee on our way back to Woodglen Vista Park.
April
April 6
Balboa, Bonita, San Diego Bay
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Distance: 35.3 mi
(excludes ferry ride)
Climb: 743 ft
Start at Balboa Park then head through the park, the Gaslamp Quarter, and along Harbor Dr. toward Pepper Park. After a restroom stop we pick up the Sweetwater River bike path to Bonita Plaza Rd. After looping around Bonita we rejoin the Bayshore Bike Path to Coronado. After a coffee stop we take the ferry back to San Diego then back up to Balboa Park.
Riders who would like to avoid the distance and climb of the Bonita loop can cross the Bayshore Bikeway bridge across the channel at mile 9.2 and continue south on Bay Blvd until rejoining the route with a right on Lagoon Dr. This shortened version of the ride results in a distance of 28 miles with a climb of 550 ft.
April 13
Easy Peasy Ramona Circuit
Print a route slip
Distance 37.7 mi
Climb 1732 ft
Starting at Dos Picos Park this moderately challenging circuit takes us through oak forests to the overlook of San Vicente Reservoir. Then we ride west past Mount Woodson through the "flatlands" of Ramona. Next we cover familiar territory along Dye, Ramona, Warnock San Vicente, and Hanson. Our coffee stop is at Packards, a Recyclers favorite. Then a circuitous route through eastern Ramona back to Main Street and then back to Dos Picos Park.
April 20
Cabrillo Monument Ride
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Distance: 33.5 mi
Climb: 1060 ft*
A fairly easy ride from Old Town, along the San Diego River bike trail, and west to Ocean Beach. We then climb up to Point Loma, and out to the Cabrillo National Monument. On the way back we drop down for a lap around Shelter Island and Harbor Island. We continue to downtown where we climb up into Mission Hills then down through Presidio Park and back to the start.
April 27
Carmel in the Middle
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Distance: 33 mi
Climb: 1535 ft*
Beginning at the Sabre Springs Transit Station we go west on the 56 bike path and continue through Carmel Valley to Sorrento Valley. From there we climb to take a loop through Carmel Country Highlands and Del Mar Mesa. Next, we cross to the north side of the highway 56 and head toward Black Mountain before heading east on the bike path to return to the start.
May
May 4
Solana Beach to Oceanside to Solana Beach
Print a route slip
Distance: 35 mi
Climb: 650 ft*
An easy ride that starts at the Train Station in Solana Beach travels up the coast highway to Oceanside for coffee by the harbor and returns.
May 11
Weiss' Five City Ride
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Distance: 32.1 mi
Climb: 1690 ft*
Starting in Del Cerro, we ride north and then east past Mission Trails park out through Bostonia, Granite Hills, and east to Lake Jennings Park. We return through Lakeside and Santee along Prospect Ave and Gillespie Field. The climb up Fanita Drive is challenging, topping out by Grossmont College. We again pass Mission Trails Park and return to where we started.
May 18
Loma, Liberty, and the Zoo Too (aka Dr. Z's wild ride)
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Distance: 30 mi
Climb: 1275 ft*
Start from the Old Town Trolley station, head out to Ocean Beach, Point Loma, around Liberty Station, Harbor Drive and then up to Balboa Park. After a loop around the park, we proceed through North Park and Mission Hills to Presidio Park, returning to the trolley station.
May 25
Pepper, Salt, Ranch, and Greens
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Distance: 39 mi
Climb: 1950 ft*
This one is a little familiar and a little different. From Pepper Park in Chula Vista we take a familiar route south toward the border before reaching San Diego and turning east on Coronado. Next, we pass by hidden trails and a brown field before turning north for a tour of ranches. Once we hit sunnyside up on the pretty road, we go west to the beautiful plaza. Finally, we catch sweetwater and go with the flow back to the start.
June
June 1
Santee Saunter
Print a route slip
Distance: 32.5 mi
Climb: 1000 ft
Starting at Santee's West Hills Park just east of the 52 on Mast Blvd, we go south to Prospect and around Gillespie Field to Vernon. We turn north on Winter Gardens to Lindo Lake and continue to San Vicente Reservoir. Next, we ride southwest through Lakeside to Mast Blvd and then over for an easy ride through Santee Lakes before returning to the start.
June 8
Dehesa Road to Alpine
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Distance: 35.7 mi
Climb: 2165 ft
A challenging climbing ride from Rancho San Diego near Cuyamaca College, out Willow Glen Drive to Dehesa Road. We climb up Dehesa Road to Tavern Road then up to Alpine for coffee. We return along South Grade Road, through Harbison Canyon, and rejoin Dehesa Road to get back to Rancho San Diego.
June 15
A Little Like Vomit
Print a route slip
Distance: 34.3 mi
Climb: 1156 ft
Starting in Old Town, we go west around Mission Bay and then up through La Jolla. Once we hit UCSD, we do our best to confuse everyone before exiting toward Miramar where we take a quick coffee break. Next we head south on Kearny Villa Rd, following the Vomitting Sheep route in reverse, returning to the Old Town transit parking lot.
June 22
Poinsettia Station/San Marcos Loop
Print a route slip
Distance 37.2 mi
Climb: 1345 ft
Starting at the Poinsettia Train Station on Avenida Encinas in Carlsbad, ride north past Carlsbad State Beach, into Oceanside. In Oceanside enter the San Luis Rey River bike path and ride east to Santa Fe Ave and then turn south. After a brief coffee stop in San Marcos we head west back to the start.
June 29
A Jewel, a Loch, and a Magic Cristobal
Print a route slip
Distance: 33.4 mi
Climb: 1325 ft*
Join us on this magical journey through the five kingdoms of Middle San Diego on our quest toward the Loch to vanquish the beastly Panniculus and free the Jewel for its return to its rightful place at the foot of lonely Mount Soledad. Along the way we may encounter flying beasts guarding their secluded Miramar den, sun beaten Anglers who prey upon the inhabitants of the Loch, and a Hall of Knowledge where the Boffins roam in their pursuit of enhanced cognitive perception. It will be a long journey with many trials and it will not be until after we conquer the Loch that we will be able to seek respite at the shop of Panera the Caffeinated. We continue our journey by looking north to Aquarius and consulting the magic Cristobal to understand that our future lies to the west. Feeling buoyed by our success we will muster our strength to climb up to the 7 realms of the Boffins before our final descent to the carriages
* = Climb adjusted down from the value shown on the mapping site to correct for elevation drops due to bridges that pass over valleys. That is, the road passes over the valley rather than dropping into the valley as the map elevation suggests.
Remember to RIDE SAFE and have FUN!!!!
