Ramona to Hemet and Idyllwild Loop

Contributer: AWESOM-O (05-20-2007)
Distance: 230 mi.

This is fantastic afternoon ride with a nice mix of some of San Diego and Riverside Counties classic roads. The blast up to Santa Ysabel is a San Diego staple. The exit out of Ramona and up Old Julian Hwy is perfect for a first leg warm-up...just watch out for the suicide squirrels! Heard a rider went down yesterday hitting one these little guys mid-turn. At Santa Ysabel hang a left and enjoy about 40 miles of open road as you blast North down the 79 past Warner Springs (with an optional run through Mesa Grande). There are a few nice sweepers and some interesting historic landmarks (old barns, etc.) along the way. I always get a kick riding past the glider port...these sky sailing rides are a blast if you have an hour or two to spare. Head east on 371 towards Anza, but keep your eyes peeled for the Wilson Valley turnout. Wilson Valley is one wicked stretch of tight winding road through the desert that will lead you down to Sage and on to Hemet. This leg of the ride is very technical and the road surface is a bit weathered and gravelly, but trust me you'll love it. The drop in elevation alone is extreme, and there are a couple tight sections on Wilson Valley where you'll essentially be flicking your bike back and forth, just hoping you're not going to encounter any patches of gravel.

Catch your breath, grab a cold drink (the temp should be about 15 degrees hotter here than any other part of the ride), and gas up in Hemet. Ride through the center of town on State Street until you come to Florida. Hang a right and follow the 74 all the way up the mountain. The ride up the 74 to Idyllwild is a nothing short of fantastic. The road is in near perfect condition and wide with good sight lines as you snake all the way up the mountain (there are even a few passing lanes). Smooth is the name of the game here. It's easy to feel like a hero on this road, and, given the number of accidents, it's also easy to over step "the pace." At the top of the mountain, take a left at the 243 and you're just a couple clicks from beautiful Idyllwild (a nice artsy mountain town with a ton of bed and breakfast establishments and very friendly people).

To get back to San Diego, head back on the 243 and take the 74 east towards Palm Desert. It will take you back to the 371 (and the Cahuilla Reservation). It is a relatively flat ride through some nice scenic cattle ranches. Lake Hemet will come up on your right. There are usually a ton of campers and fishermen here...a nice place to soak in the scenery before heading back south. The ride is about 230 miles round trip from the start of Scripps Poway, so plan about 5-7 hours if you plan to stop regularly.

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