Billy "Masters Racer" Thompson
Billy recently got divorced from his wife because all he does is ride. Riding is more than a bad habit. It is a way of life. Wearing cycling casual wear he shows up for club rides shaved and prepped and ready to hammer. Training rides are essential and he has seen the best roads San Diego has to offer.
Billy will take you on rides that will challenge even the fittest riders. Expect loads of hills and loads of miles.
Viejas grade is one of the dirt roads that masters riders in San Diego need to tackle at some point. This tour of Lake Jennings, Viejas Grade, and Julian makes for a fast east county alternative to a ride like the Henshaw Loop.
When the rains and snow come to the mountains of San Diego, you need to get creative in order to ride your bike in the mountains. Palomar is out. Julian is out. How about this little loop in the lower elevations of the Lagunas?
At some point you will get bored with The Great Western Loop and want to expand your horizons a bit. No problem. Start your ride from the trusty Starbucks in Rancho San Diego and head out the 94 to take in Honey Springs Road and Lyons Valley Road in this loop that seems shorter and easier than it really is.
Lake Henshaw via Ramona is a route that is popular among long course triathletes in San Diego and around the world. Ride it like they do and you will find yourself on a death march.
This is probably the first "big" mountain ride San Diego cyclists do after they get past the Great Western Loop. Kitchen Creek is a solid one hour climb for most riders. The best part is that the road is essentially devoid of cars.
Straight up, a bump up a Banner, and straight down. Lake Jennings to Banner grade and back. 102 miles and 8750 ft. climbing with 2 stops in Julian. Mmmmmm.
Lacking a definitive (named) climb, this San Diego East County bike ride is deceptive. Moderate rollers and numerous short climbs take you up and up until you accumulate over 7K of climbing. NICE!
Palomar is an essential on the list of Masters Level rides in San Diego. The climb on Palomar Mountain Road is often compared to Alpe d'Huez.
Both have 21 or so switchbacks and the mountains are similar in
elevation. Alpe d'Huez is a bit longer and much steeper but for Southern California standards, this is one of the best
climbs around.
This ride is a doozy. A knee crushing ride up Pine Creek is followed by pie in Julian before Climbing over Engineers on the way back to the Descanso park and ride.
