Start Location: NW corner of La Costa and El Camino Real, Carlsbad
This pre-work leg burner is also known as the Gene Kelley Ride for its founder who, in the early days, was hard pressed to find anyone to join him for dawn patrol. Now Gene has plenty of company as word has spread about this short (22 miles) but intense workout.
The A ride departs on time from the NW corner of La Costa and El Camino (No one is in the mood to dilly dally in the morning chill). The tempo is brisk out La Costa, and then north up Coast Highway to downtown Carlsbad. There is a brief respite as the ride snakes its way east through Carlsbad and alongside the Buena Vista Lagoon. But after the lagoon, the ride turns south and the fun begins. There are several hills and four uphill sprints packed into the last eight miles of the ride as it winds south along El Camino, Cannon, Faraday, College, Aviara, and Poinsettia. Mercifully, the last mile is downhill along El Camino and into the Vons shopping center for coffee at La Costa Coffee.
Lights are recommended for more visibility in the cold, dark winter mornings.
Typical Mileage: 22 miles (view route)
If you get dropped or miss the start by a few minutes, there are several short cuts that will get you back on the ride, cutting across and heading east at Tamarack Drive, or Carlsbad Village Drive will get you back in touch with the group. Other route cutoffs are heading due east on Faraday to El Camino Real which cuts out the uphills of Aviara, and Poinsettia.
Safety is always first. Each cyclist is responsible for following health and cycling safety guidelines as well as traffic laws.
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