We in San Diego are very fortunate to have a number of dedicated bike paths throughout the county. Over the next few months, Jane and I will be exploring some of San Diego's many great places to ride.
Lake Miramar
Location: Near I-15 and Mira Mesa Blvd.
Distance: 5 miles around the lake
Elevation gain: Almost flat
Riding time: 30 minutes
Road conditions: Paved road/path
Traffic conditions: Usually light
Difficulty: Easy
Equipment: Any bicycle
Kid-friendly: Yes
Notes: Very little shade along the route. Recommended riding in the morning or early evening, or on overcast days.
Lake Miramar, located near Mira Mesa, is a great place to take a relaxing ride alone, with friends, or with children. The five-mile paved path is wide enough in most places for two cyclists to ride abreast against oncoming pedestrian and cycling traffic.
The road is virtually flat all the way around the reservoir. Two parking areas are available, a smaller area located just as you enter the park, and a parking area for RV's and boat trailers about 400 yards down the road. Restrooms and water fountains are located along the interior parking area. Additionally, you will find a port-a-john about one mile from the parking area, on the north-west side of the reservoir. Lake Miramar is a great place for a picnic, with a picnic area on the north side of the reservoir.
Lake Miramar is an ideal place for adults and children to practice skills and techniques essential to riding safely on the road, since you are in a controlled environment with no vehicular traffic.Drills you can do while riding (Wow! What a great idea!)
Riding in a straight line without deviation. If the path is clear in both directions, try riding the white or yellow line.
Taking a hand off the handlebars to reach for a waterbottle. Replace the bottle without looking down.
Practice riding in close proximity to your riding partner by gently putting a hand on his shoulder as you ride.
These drills will help you to become a better, more confident rider.
Jane and Laura at Lake Miramar, Jan 2009Resources: MyBikeSite.com (Lake Miramar) - info on trail conditions, routes, and a place to share your stories
Now pack up the kids and go have fun!
1 comment:
Thank you for this!
I'm relatively new to biking (haven't ridden a bike since I was 11) and just got a bike for a birthday present, so this is exactly the sort of ride I need to help me get comfortable on a bike again. I live in Poway, and it's very hilly, which is discouraging when you're out of shape! My Dad (also pretty new) and I have been driving down to Fiesta Island, which is also quite flat and low on traffic (except on weekends), but it's a long way from North County. We've been spending more time in the car than on our bikes, which isn't ideal.
We're going to try this ride tomorrow. Thanks for the post, and I'd love to see more "Riding with Children" or "Rides for Beginners" type posts!
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