Base Camp Pendleton open to cyclists

[Shimpie]

Happy to report that Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton is open for cyclists once again. Last Sunday I went for a ride through the Base for the first time. All you need to get through the check gates is photo ID and a helmet. You don't need to be military personel either (because I'm not).

Starting from my home in Oceanside, CA, my boyfriend's mom and I rode through the Base's main gate north all the way to San Onofre. The bicycle lanes are as big as car lanes in some places, but disappear at bridge crossings. The ride was nearly car free anyhow. There was lots of nature to see and odd things like razor wire to avoid just off the road. The first 10 miles or so was hilly and rest flat. We were having so much fun that before we knew it, we had gone really far and would have to ride all the way back. We rode 40 miles in all, but I think there was enough pavement for a century.

Now that the Base is open again those who want to do the coast ride from San Clemente to San Diego won't need to ride on the stretch of freeway between San Onofre State Beach and Oceanside.
-Shimpie

[roughingit]

Oooh, very nice! If I still lived thataways I'd certainly go for a spin through there!

[bikerchick68]

thanks for the heads up! I wanted to do that ride a few months back but ended up going east on Palomar Airport rode into San Marcos... still made it 60 miles... gonna have to go ride the base now! sounds great... especially the lack of cars!

[Shimpie]

Some additional info that I forgot to add.

Riding on base is limited to daylight hours. No riding after dusk. The military police are also very strict about staying on the bike route, which is very well marked. Afterall, it is a military base (a very pretty one with a gorgeous beach and lots of endangered species). I'm glad to have a new bike route since the Base has forbid access to cyclists ever since 911.

Shimpie

[spazzdog]

Leave all WMD's at home... and no bike mounted rifle racks!

Salute at the nice soldiers and put a little American flag on your bike for solidarity. Wish I could go....

spazz - it's still raining here

[Crankin]

Just to let you know, you should wave at the Marines on the base, not the soldiers....although I am a very typical un-military person from Massachusetts, my son is a Marine (all that Cat 3 racing made him crazy and tough) and he has let me know in no uncertain terms that you never call marines soldiers!
I've spent much time in San Diego and will keep this ride in mind when I visit my Dad next time.

[caligurl]

in no uncertain terms that you never call marines soldiers!

what she said! lol!



unless you want to tick them off! (you can call them jarheads though! )

[spazzdog]

oops! I knew that... I had a online military brain fart. So sorry...

Hoo-Rah! Go G.I. Jane!!

spazz

[roughingit]

The Marines crack me up! You never hear anyone calling us Armys or those fly boys Airforces

[cindysue]

all this talk of San Diego, Camp Pendleton, San Clemente, Palomar Airport Road, etc. brings back memories. I lived there 7 years (ex. was a Marine).

I miss the laid back folks out there. But the bay area is beautiful and GREEN for a good part of the year............

[bikerchick68]

and no bike mounted rifle racks!

dangit... that rifle rack cost some big bucks to have mounted... LOL... the mental image that gave me had me chuckling for quite some time... bet I wouldn't have idiots trying to run me off the road anymore huh???

[Veronica]

Cindy when were you on Pendelton? Thom was in the Marines '85 - '91, stationed at Pendelton. I worked as a lifeguard fro the base pools most of that time.

V.

[massbikebabe]

Robyn:

I am a protester of this ludicris politically driven war, but I'd do anything to help a soldier. God bless and keep your son, he will be in my thoughts and prayers.

karen