"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.
January
January 7
Charlie's Bread
Print a route slip
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.
January 14
Jesmond Dene Ride
Print a route slip
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 21
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.
January 28
Carmel in the Middle
Print a route slip
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.
February
February 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.
February 11
Elfin Forest Ride
Print a route slip
Distance: 36.4 mi
Climb: 2300 ft*
Ride the rural and sparsely developed areas of Olivenhain, Elfin Forest, Harmony Grove, and Rancho Santa Fe. Enjoy the challenge of the rolling hills of Harmony Grove and Elfin Forest. See the view from the overlook of Lake Hodges Dam. Enjoy the downhill cruise into Rancho Santa Fe and the coffee stop in the Village.
February 18
Tour De Campus
Print a route slip
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.
February 25
Dehesa Road to Alpine
Print a route slip
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.
March
March 3
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.
March 10
Northern Hodgepodge
Print a route slip
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 17
Around Town
Print a route slip
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.
March 24
Olympic Training Ride
Print a routeslip
Distance: 38.8 mi
Climb: 1600 ft*
This ride starts at Marina View Park, just west of the J St exit on Interstate 5 in Chula Vista. The route takes riders south to the Border then east along the Tijuana River Valley. Then we head north along Beyer Boulevard through Chula Vista and east along the Sweetwater river valley. After passing Otay Lake we regroup at the Olympic training center and then head west on the Olympic Parkway to get back to where we started.
March 31
Cabrillo Monument Ride
Print a route slip
Distance: 35.2 mi
Climb: 1089 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
April 7
Balboa, Bonita, San Diego Bay
Print a route slip
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 14
Rancho Santa Fe Ride
Print a route slip
Distance: 33.5 mi
Climb: 1907 ft
Short but moderately challenging, this ride starts at the Solana Beach Train Station. We ride out the Highway 56 bike path to Camino Del Sur then we travel north, through Fairbanks Ranch to Rancho Santa Fe for coffee at El Positivo. Then we wend our way out to the coast through scenic Rancho Santa Fe, returning to the train station.
April 21
Mount Soledad Wildcard ride
Print a route slip
Distance: Less than 35 mi
Climb: Less than 1500 ft
For this iteration of the Mt Soledad ride we will start at Liberty Station at the same start location as the New Don Fritgzes ride (Cushing Rd and Dewey Rd 92106). Before we start, we will decide how we want to climb and descend the mountain. We will change our minds early and often. Aside from the mountain, the ride will be mostly flat.
So many options...
- Up or down Soledad Mountain Rd
- Up Soledad Rd
- Up the Rusty way
- Up Cardeno Dr
- Down via Munchkin house and bridges
April 28
Weiss' Five City Ride
Print a route slip
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
May 5
Island Hopping Ride
Print a route slip
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.
May 12
El Monte Park Ride
Print a route slip
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.
May 19
Choose Your Poison
Print a route slip
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.
May 26
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.
June
June 2
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 9
Nando's Ride
Print a route slip
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.
June 16
Loma, Liberty, and the Zoo Too (aka Dr. Z's wild ride)
Print a route slip
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.
June 23
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
June 30
Pepper, Salt, Ranch, and Greens
Print a route slip
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.
* = 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!!!!
