60 6000 Rainbow-Couser-Lilac Climbs

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San Diego County, CA, US

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Route Overview

@oldguywhotris

San Diego Cycling Climbing Addict - Half & Full Ironman Age Grouper

63 mi.

5,988 ft.

This route is for climbers. Switchbacks, amazing views, orchards, ranches, and more. One of the best climbing routes in Nothern San Diego County!

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Route Details

## A Climbers Climb
The first half of this route has challenging climbs that warm you up for the big ones.  Once you turn around in Rainbow, then the fun and the amazing views really begin!

## Where To Park
There is a 7 Eleven at the corner of El Norte and West Country Club Ln.  There is usually plenty of parking on @point[West Country Club Ln](d,476.13).

## A Little Dirt - Optional Jesmond Dene Turn
At the beginning of this route you will start riding up Centre City Parkway.  The route takes a right onto @slice[Jesmond Dene Rd and ultimately to Cougar Pass Rd which is a dirt road.  It is a fairly well maintained road that makes a climb up to Hidden Meadows](d,7069.37,22157.15) and can be fine for thin wheeled road bikes.  However, if you don't feel comfortable on dirt DO NOT turn on Jesmond Dene. Keep going straight down Centre City Parkway and you will meet up with the route again in less than a mile starting at Deer Springs Rd.

## Deer Springs Rd To Rainbow
@slice[This part is mostly all Old Highway 395](d,22244.2,51847.06).  There is a designated bike lane the entire way which is nice.  Some of it is a little rough and some of it is smooth and new.  The traffic is moderate.  You will pass golf courses, wineries, and nurseries along the way.  For a bathroom stop, there are port-a-jons at both the @poi[Mobile gas station](9659422) on the corner of 395 and the 76 or just past that at Nessy Burger on your left.  Another good stop is at @poi[The Rainbow Oaks Restaurant](9659423) if you want a mid-ride sandwich/beer or rest before you start the major climbs of the day.

## Rainbow Heights Climb
Once you turn onto @point[Rainbow Heights](d,54987.34), this is where the awesome climbs begin.  You will enjoy switchbacks, amazing views (sometimes all the way to the ocean), and 12%+ grades at times until you get to Rainbow Crest Rd.  The ride then has a combination of rolling climbs and decents.  The most incredible view will come once you make the right turn at @point[Gomez Creek Rd](d,60265.2).  As you wind up pavement that is reminiscent of a small mountain road in France, to your left will be one of the most amazing mountain views in San Diego County with a massive canyon below and Palomar Mountain directly behind it.

## Couser Canyon Climb
As you start onto @point[Couser Canyon Rd](d,66958.6), take time to enjoy the pastoral setting.  Usually, there is a large herd of cattle calmly grazing complete with a meandering stream along side the road.  That will be the last moment of flatness for a while for you.  From here you will ascend up the first set of switchbacks through spectacular old overhanging oaks and orchards featuring oranges, tangerines, lemons, limes, and our famous avocados.  There will be a short break at the top of this climb before you start the second set of stair step switchbacks.  As you climb both of these, if you look backwards from time to time there will be more incredible views of valleys and mountain ranges.  Once you crest at @point[San Gabriel Way](d,73597.34) (Look for a Henry Avocados management sign and a gated road entry) you will finally get a rest and a descent.

## Lilac Climb
At the bottom of the Couser Canyon descent, you will turn right onto Lilac Rd.  If you are needing a break and some nourishment there is a restaurant just a little farther on your left called the @poi[Yellow Deli](9659424).  Great food, but no beers here as it is owned by a religious organization.  Just past the Yellow Deli you start your last set of switchbacks, but they are a much shorter stretch.  You will turn right shortly after the crest and then work through more meandering switchbacks until you turn onto @point[Circle R Drive](d,81165.84) where you will enjoy a very long descent back to Old Highway 395.

## The Final Return
Once you pass Welk Resort, there will be a @slice[long steady climb of 5%+](d,90002.9,93306.66).  It doesn't seem steep, but by that point the last thing you want to do is long straight boring climb next to Highway 15.  However, once you get this behind you it's all a nice cool-down from there.

## The Reward
If you want an immediate reward at the end of the ride, stop into @poi[Cenote Grill](9659425) in the same small shopping center as 7 Eleven.  I highly recommend the Fish Tacos that are massive complete with fresh guacamole.  Why not? You earned it.  Look at your Ride With GPS stats and you will see that if you did the entire route you just burned about 3,000 calories!

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60 6000 Rainbow-Couser-Lilac Climbs

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