registration for Amtrak is this Friday (6/15), not next.
Cool Breeze, I've heard the climbing is seriously underrated (advertised at 4K and Tom and Sue came win with about 8K), pule you have to ride about 10 miles on the shoulder of 101.
Amtrak. You star out at the Irvine Metrolink station, You then climb up to the 241 toll road before heading down to the beach. Remember to bring ID, as you'll need it to get in to Camp Pendleton. Mostly flat to rolling till you get to Torrey Pines (mile 90) You climb about 500 feet in 2 miles. OCW has a rest stop with Ice cream at the top
I think you can be slower than 12 mph, just depend on when you leave. The train leaves at 4:30 ,and we rolled at 6. Also, the "private" train is a MetrolInk(it used to be Amtrak, but ML underbid them) Charter, so don't expect the Orient express. Tom and sue usually con their daughter into driving down there,so maybe you could hitch a ride with them
I did this in 2005. it was fun. Was going to do it in 2006, but that was when I broke my arm. Not sure about this year.
Have Fun, and give us a report!
PS
The link: http://www.ocw.org/Amtrak/Default.asp