Anny's Borrego Double Metric

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Borrego Springs, CA, US

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Route Overview

Orange County Rebel Riders

Road routes in and Around Orange County, Ca

121 mi.

11,702 ft.

Challenging Double Metric to Palomar Mountain from Borrego Springs with spectacular views.

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Route Details

Majestic climbs from desert floor to mountain peaks.  This ride starts in @point[Borrego Springs](d,0.93) at sea level and climbs up to the @poi[observatory at Mount Palomar](1155502) elevation 5,000'.  A rather challenging double metric with over 11,000' of climb.  This ride was devised by **Anny Beck** of [Mountain High Cycling](http://www.mtnhighcycling.com/).
You will enjoy spectacluar views going up Montezuma Grade out to the Salton Sea and also from the top of Mount Palomar.  Enjoy the laid back atmosphere and apple pie in @poi[Julian](1170578).
@point[Borrego Springs](d,0.93) will be your starting point and it's a quaint desert town with no chain restaurants or stores.  You will see the landscape transform from desert floor to mountain top usually with dramatic temperature changes.

# Route

* There is plenty of unrestricted parking in @point[Borrego Springs](d,0.93).  The traffic circle has clean rest rooms.
* Check the forecast at @point[Borrego Springs](d,0.93), @point[Ranchita](d,19364.12) and Palomar.  It can be hot, cold, windy or all of the above, so dress appropriately.
* A big climb off the bat you'll be riding 12 miles to Ranchita and will gain nearly 4k of elevation.  Watch for severe cross winds as you get further up the mountain.  There is a general store at Ranchita that opens at 9am. 
* After you leave Ranchita, the road levels out until you turn onto the road up to Palomar (mile 31) just after Lake Henshaw.
* You will enjoy about 2,500' of climbing up Palomar.  The @slice[shoulder on Hwy 76](d,45505.58,49915.92) can be a little narrow, so please take care.  After Palomar you will return back down and come across the @poi[Hideout Saloon](1170577) at mile 66.
* The climb up Mesa Grande is quite long and steep but of course you will enjoy the subsequent downhill back to Hwy 76.
* At mile 88 you will arrive in @point[Julian](d,142420.4).  You can't go to Julian and not try the apple pie (at @poi[Julian Pie Company](1170578)).  Be sure to get plenty of water as there's not much between Julian and the finish back in Borrego Springs 32 miles away.  It's mostly downhill down @slice[Banner Grade](d,144083.88,175293.75) (awesome downhill), but a few smaller climbs.
* At mile 121 you will be back in Borrego and celebrating the completion of a very tough double metric!

# Notes

* Check the weather conditions carefully.  It can get to well over 100 degrees in @point[Borrego Springs](d,0.93) or sub freezing in @point[Ranchita](d,19471.44) and @point[Julian](d,142533.05).  The winds in the upper parts of Montezuma can literally blow you off the bike.
* You could modify the route to loop in some more climbs, but plan your water and food stops carefully.  30 miles can be a long way in 90 degree temperatures.
* There are no bike shops in the area, so be independant.
* This ride is for experienced riders in good shape.
* Food and water is available throughout the route, but plan your stops carefully.  The @poi[Ranchita store](1170575) opens at 9am and it's a fair way from there to Lake Henshaw.  Fill your bottles in Julian as you may not find any more water for the 32 miles to the end of the route.
There are plenty of hotels in Borrego Springs, but there are no chain restaurants or stores whatsoever.

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Anny's Borrego Double Metric

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