Many of us have experienced that a road traveled in both directions gives the rider a different ride than just riding the road in one direction. While flying home on an eleven hour flight, I started thinking about what roads I've been on in only one direction. Before long, I realized that I can't recall ever having traveled on Lyons Valley Road from the north, IE: 79 to Japatul Valley Rd. Now, I'm not saying that I've never gone that direction, just that I can't recall doing so. Rather than thinking too hard about it, I decided to take a ride that involved joining Lyons Valley from the northeast...
I left my house around 8:30 AM, and headed to Gopher Canyon, which I rode to Circle R to W Lilac to Lilac. As I rode along with temperatures in the mid-50's, and incredibly light traffic, I realized that not only had I not encountered any moving roadblocks (cars), I haven't even seen a red light since pulling out of my garage!
Enjoying the free flowing road, I continued onto Valley Center Rd to Highway 76. On 76, I encountered the first car that had been in my way the entire day. Fortunately, almost immediately, the driver pulled over to let me by. While riding along 76, about three miles before the entrance to the east grade of Palomar Mountain, I encountered very dense fog; the kind of fog which limits the forward visibility to just a bit more than the car in front of you. Just before the 76/79 intersection, I emerged from the fog, and made the right turn to head towards Santa Ysabel.
With the sun now shining, I made my way to Dudley's and picked up some bread and a snack before continuing my ride.
Leaving Dudley's, I continued up the hill towards Julian on 78. I rode 78 to 79, which is another road that I rarely ride from north to south. Typically I never get beyond Engineers Rd. along Hwy 79. Today though, I rode 79 south through Cuyamaca and Descanso, and already notice different scenery, street signs, etc. as compared to coming from the opposite direction. Strangely enough, the ride also seems to move along much quicker.
After passing under Hwy 8, I join Japatul Valley Road, and speaking of the ride going quicker, in what feels like just two or three minutes (was it?) I quickly reached the junction of Japatul Valley Rd & Lyons Valley Rd. I made the left onto Lyons Valley, and rode along, and again in what felt like just a few minutes, I was passing Honey Springs, and the Lyons Valley Trading Post. I continued along Lyons Valley Rd and quickly reached Jamul Dr.
Along Lyons Valley Rd, when traveling this direction, I noticed a different set of street signs, mountains, scenery, overlooks, curves, etc. It was really interesting to ride coming from the "other" direction. It truly did feel like I had discovered a while new set of roads.
From Jamul Dr I headed to Willow Glen to Dehesa to Harbison Canyon to Arnold and onto I-8 west. A few short miles later, I took the Lake Jennings Park exit, and stopped for gas at 7-11. After refueling, I followed the road as it turns into Mapleview, and then made the right turn onto Ashwood, and joined Wildcat Canyon.
Wildcat Canyon was full of cars, but fortunately, I had just the right opportunity to get to the head of the pack, and after a few seconds, I never had another car obstructing my way until I reached the stop light at San Vicente. Upon reaching the traffic light, I made a left, and followed the road to Warnock, and then joined Dye Rd to Highland Valley Rd and then joined I-15 to home.
Four hours fifteen minutes later, with 188 additional miles on my odometer, I pulled into my garage.
This was a great ride, and I think it was made even better because it felt new. I urge you to stop and think about some roads that you've only traveled in one direction, or rarely travel in the "other" direction. Once you think of roads, piece them together in a route, and go ride. If your experience is anything like mine, it will be refreshing and feel like a whole new set of roads!
