Yet Sweet Another Ride

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Since I started riding while I was in San Diego, it is no surprise that one of my first long rides was one that led me to pie. It's strange how I have come to associate going on rides with sweet treats, but it is what it is. In San Diego County, the small quiet town of Julian is well known for having some of the best apples around. Julian lies one hour east of San Diego in the Cuyamaca Mountains. Whenever there is anything in regards to mountains, it is usually a good sign for riders because mountains usually have the best roads leading to places. An hour ride seems like a really far ride out from San Diego, but let me tell you, these are probably some of the best roads in the area. However, an hour east of San Diego doesn't always reflect the perfect sunny weather you have in the city. During the summer, the roads to Julian can become scorching hot, and in the winter they can be freezing on a bike. So make sure you gear up accordingly and make your way out to Julian and it's surrounding towns.

The typical ride meet location is the Shell gas station at the east end of Mira Mesa Blvd closest to Highway 15 (Same plaza as the In-N-Out). From out of this gas station, you want to head east and hop onto Highway 15 going northbound. From here, you actually have two different options. You can take Scripps Poway Parkway exit which is a little more straight forward route to Romona (which is on the way to Julian), or you can stay on Highway 15 for a little longer and exit Pomerado Road and then take a left at Highland Valley Road. And when I say straight forward, I am literally talking about the curves of the road. I generally prefer to take Highland Valley Road to Julian, and then Scripps Poway Parkway on the way back home.

Highland Valley Road is usually taken during the first half of my rides is because I think that this road requires more attention from me than any other road. I always want to tackle this road while I am at my peak alertness. This is a single lane two-way road looping around the back roads of the area. This road usually gets dirty really fast during the rainy seasons so it is always a good idea keep an extra eye out for any type of debris on the road. The one thing about this road is that it isn't necessarily a newbie friendly route because towards the end of the road, there are about two sharp turns that come out of nowhere causing a lot of riders to cross that double yellow divider. Besides that, the road itself is a fun ride out to Romona.

Highland Valley Road eventually intersects with Highway 67, where you would make a left in order to go through Ramona. Make sure you keep to the speed limits as you cruise through the town. At the edge of the town, Highway 67 turns into 78, and you want to make a right onto old Julian Highway. The road is a little hard to spot since it is not a huge intersection, but it is going to be the what looks like the last right on the edge of town before the highway stretches out endlessly in front of you again. Not really a necessary road to get to Julian, but definitely worth it. Once again, I generally take this route on my to trip, but take the more straightforward route heading home. Follow the road curving to the left. Eventually you will run into a T-intersection where you want to make a left in order to continue along Old Julian. There are stretches of this road that are twisty, but there are also areas that just open up into a straightaway. Don't be tricked by these because cops usually like to lay wait on the sidelines for you to go zipping by. They'll have you pulled over so fast before you can even tap your head twice.

The road eventually rejoins with Highway 78 and that also means that the usual cars and traffic of the road would join you on your ride once again. Continue heading east on Highway 78 leading into Santa Ysabel. I usually end my rides here at a Restaurant called Apple Country, which is right next door to Dudley's Bakery & Restaurant. The food at Apple Country is your typical comfort food type restaurant. What I love the most here is their meat loaf and steamed vegetables. But of course, we all know I'm really there for the pie. They have a great variety of pies offered, and the best part to top it off is ice cream. But, let me point out, it's not just any ice cream, but you have an option of having cinnamon ice cream!

There is also a gas station in town if you want to gas up before heading further east to Julian for Mom's Pie House, or even north to the backside of Palomar Mountain for some Mother's! Either way you go, this route can do no rider any wrong. The route to and from this location has so many different routes that it is hard to get sick of this ride because you can always branch off to explore different routes. How much sweeter can you get than that?

Yet Sweet Another Ride

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