Great Western Loop Classic Version

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Spring Valley, CA, US

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Route Overview

@oldguywhotris

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

42 mi.

4,046 ft.

A classic right of passage for any San Diego cyclist and especially climbers. This route takes you on the more classic version that includes more switchbacks and interesting descents.

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Route Details

## A Climbers Climb
This route is a classic right of passage for any San Diego cyclist and especially climbers.  This route takes you on the more classic version that includes more switchbacks and interesting descents.  If you are not a climber, don't attempt this route.  It is a long and steady grind.  The good news is that it is hard to get lost.  There are only a few turns in the whole route and most of them are to the right as you mostly go in a circle until the end.

## Water Warning
Make sure you take all the water you need for this ride.  After the first 8 miles there are few places to fill up unless you make friends with a local by knocking on their door.

## Bathroom Warning
On the majority of this route you are in rural areas and there are no bathrooms so you have to get comfy with mother nature if you want to do your business.  Basically, between mile 8 and 29 it is you and the elements for this activity unless someone is doing construction and there is a porta-potty on the side of the road.

## Where To Park
There is a Starbucks in a shopping center at the corner of @poi[Jamacha Road and Willow Glen Drive](13090944). You can find plenty of parking throughout this shopping center.  To date, I have not heard of anyone getting towed if they park there.

## Starbucks To Dehesa Road
This is your warm up.  It will consist of flat and rolling hills for @slice[5 miles](d,128.95,8219.19).  In most cases there is plenty of shoulder on this portion of the route.  When you get to Dehesa Road you simply turn right.  Again, it is easy to stay on the route because Willow Glen Drive dead ends into Dehesa.  You will see this major hint at the golf course that lets you know you are there.

## Dehesa Road Trick Turn
You will ride 3 miles and come to a large gas station at which time you will @point[turn right](d,13396.21).  DO NOT go straight onto Harbison Canyon!

## Gas Station To Japatul Road
Initially, you will pass the @point[Sycuan Casino](d,14719.75).  This will be your last connection with any kind of retail or city environment until you descend later.  2 miles after the gas station, you will @point[begin the ascent](d,16041.17).  For the @slice[next 3.5 miles you will average a 4% to 7.5% grade](d,16075.99,21057.64). Once again, you will come to a road where you can only either go left or right so go right onto Japatul Road.

After that, you will have a brief break for about 2 miles and then the grind returns. @slice[ For the next 5 miles it is mostly non-stop up](d,24622.4,33131.7).  The max grade is 13% and most of it is between 4% and 7%. Just before you summit, you will turn right on Lyons Valley Road.

## Lyons Valley Road To Jamul Drive
After a little more climbing, you finally get a break as the route plateaus for the most part. @slice[The views will now be quite remarkable through this section](d,33247.1,41807.49). At mile 26 there is another short climb before descending to mile 29 where you will come to a @poi[small country store.](13441034)  This is a classic stop for many.  Make sure you bring cash for this stop.  They have water, soda, snacks, beer, etc.  They kind of frown on people who want to use their bathrooms if you don't buy anything.

After you leave the country store, you will have a fun descent down @slice[some switchbacks](d,47532.15,50486.11).  Here is a **BIG TIP**:  Try not to hug the road to the right.  There are very large cactus that are hanging out onto the road that will send you home with a souvenir that you don't want.  I rode in a group once where more than one person got scraped.  Feel free to ride in the middle of the road because it is difficult for cars to move very quickly through these turns anyway.

After two miles, you will have a @slice[pretty steep climb for about a mile](d,50486.11,52204.29) followed by a break and finally your last short climb of the day.

@slice[At mile 34 it will be all down hill back to your car.](d,54795.45,67234.03)  Turn right on Steele Canyon Road and a rare left onto Willow Glen Drive and you have less that a mile to complete this classic San Diego County climb.

Great Western Loop Classic Version

Route Overview

Route Details

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