southern tier route

[les]

 Trying to find some info for the climb going east out of San Diego. Some kind of degree of difficulty number and time it takes to climb. Making plans for ride across in October. If you have done the southern tier I would like to get together online. Need more info on first two days of riding.
  Thanks for any help Les

[nthabiseng]

Les, we did that route exactly one year ago.  You can check what I wrote about the climb in our journal.  http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/myfinecycle
We had been very worried about the climb, but it ended up being not as hard as I had imagined.  We did break it up into 2 days as you will read.  We wanted to spend the morning in San Diego, so left mid day for Lakeside where we had a Warmshowers host.  So it was really the next day to Pine Valley that was the real challenge.  As I recall, I didn't use my granny gear for most, if not all, of the climb.  I like hills, and for me it was the perfect grade, though long.  You will have much harder climbs later on!

I hope my journal helps, please let me know if you have other questions, but make it soon as I'll be leaving on another adventure in a couple of weeks. 
Marti

[les]

Marti , thanks for the reply, We are going to Houston Tx. this year the rest next year. We have 16 riding days to make 1500 miles. If we start first thing in the morning do you think we could get to Ocotillo . If not , where would be the best stop on the mountain. I will read your journal, It is great to learn from someone that has done it before- why reinvent the wheel.
    will talk again, thanks Les

[nthabiseng]

Hm, I guess it depends on what kind of rider you are; I could never make Ocotillo in one day.  But once you get as far as Jacumba the miles go fast.  There is a place to tent there, but if there is still daylight left you could probably make it all the way.  I can't remember how long it took us to get to Ocotillo once we got down the I-8 grade.  I do remember there is nothing but desert.  And maybe if you are going when the days are longer than ours in Feb, that would help.

[dfege]

Les,

I have not done the southern tier, but I live in San Diego.  I also have followed several journals on Crazy Guy.  Here are some alternatives.  First it is a long ride to Ocotillo. I can't remember any rider who has gone that distance on the first day. I certainly couldn't do, especially carrying my own gear.  There is a campground at Alpine (already at about 3500 feet); there seems to be a motel in Pine Valley, and also a hotel/spa in Jacumba.  If you have the Ad. Cycling maps, they should be able to give you more definitive info.

[shane_g]

What do you mean when you say you will have much harder climbs later on? Are you talking about specific areas on the southern tier?

Thanks

Les, we did that route exactly one year ago.  You can check what I wrote about the climb in our journal.  http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/myfinecycle
We had been very worried about the climb, but it ended up being not as hard as I had imagined.  We did break it up into 2 days as you will read.  We wanted to spend the morning in San Diego, so left mid day for Lakeside where we had a Warmshowers host.  So it was really the next day to Pine Valley that was the real challenge.  As I recall, I didn't use my granny gear for most, if not all, of the climb.  I like hills, and for me it was the perfect grade, though long.  You will have much harder climbs later on!

I hope my journal helps, please let me know if you have other questions, but make it soon as I'll be leaving on another adventure in a couple of weeks. 
Marti

[geegee]

What do you mean when you say you will have much harder climbs later on? Are you talking about specific areas on the southern tier?

The climbs east of Superior AZ and onwards to New Mexico are definitely tougher. I found the ascent from San Diego wasn't so bad because, for the most part, road conditions and traffic levels are quite relaxed in the California leg of the trip, and one is likely to have a tailwind heading east crossing the coastal mountains.

If I recall correctly, by the time I got to Ocotillo on my second day, the cumulative vertical climb was more than 7,000 feet over 90-some miles — a bit ambitious for me to do all on a first day. San Diego to Alpine was good first day for me, I stayed at the Ma-Tar-Awa campground at Viejas. Even though I don't gamble, I took their free shuttle from the campground to the casino area to grab a bite to eat. If you do the same, make sure you get a free card from the casino's hospitality desk to take advantage of the significant discounts at the restaurants

[staehpj1]

I have done that climb a couple times and I was not in particularly good riding shape either time.  I found it tough but doable.  The last time when doing the ST we stopped at Old Buckman Springs USFS Camp.  It was an equestrian camp and was it OK not much there but it was alright.

[nthabiseng]

That was me who said there would be tougher climbs later on, and yes, that refers to AZ and NM, but also Texas hill country I found to be more of a challenge than the hills out of San Diego.