Ride Profiles

The Alpine Challenge Ride consist of a 25 Mile Ride, a 60 Mile Descanso Ride and a 72 Mile Pine Valley Ride.

The Pine Valley Ride and the Descanso Ride are designed for the serious rider. The Pine Valley is a challenging 72 miles with almost 7,000 feet of vertical gain and the Descanso Ride has nearly 6,000 feet of climbing. With our move to the Viejas Outlet Center, we have consolidated last year's 20 Mile and 30 Mile rides into a 25 Mile Ride. The 25 Mile Ride is still for those who enjoyed the tough challenge of both the distance and the climb; it has almost 2,600 feet of vertical gain.

We've Moved To A New Location

Each year our number of riders increases and we have outgrown the Community Center park. To accommodate our riders, we are re-locating to the Viejas Outlet Center's concert park area. See the map and directions below.

 Viejas Outlet Center

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General Information

Start and Finish:
Viejas Outlet Center
5005 Willows Road
Alpine, CA 91901

Directions:
A local area map to the event is here.
From Interstate 8, exit at Willows Road
Turn Left
After the overpass, the road turns right and becomes Willows Road.
Turn Right into the Outlet Center parking area.
The park layout and the parking map will be available soon.
Entry Fee includes T-Shirt, SAG stop refreshments, roving support and a Post-Ride meal. Non-Rider meals are available for $5. T-Shirt size and availability will be limited on day of event.


Parking map

Post-Ride festivities include a massage, a drink ticket, Beer Garden, music, raffle prices, and more.

This is a ride not a race. Helmets are required.
Participants must obey all traffic laws. Ride as close to the right side as possible and within the bicycle lane wherever possible. Ride in single file.
2009 Fees:
Active.com: $45 Pre-Registration through April 11th
  $60 Registration from April 12th through noon April 23rd
Mail-In: $45 Pre-Registration postmarked before April 12th
  $60 Registration postmarked thereafter
Event Day Registration is acceptable.
Tandem entries are an additional $10 for the second rider. Please provide name.
Non-Rider meals are $5 for adult or child.
10% discount for Team, Student, Club and Military riders but please bring proof of status.

Schedule:
6:00 am Registration Opens
7:00 am Ride Start Time for Pine Valley and Descanso Rides
7:15 am Registration closes for Pine Valley and Descanso Rides
9:00 am Ride Start Time for 25 Mile Ride
9:15 am Registration closes for 25 Mile Ride
11:00 am - 3:00 pm Post-Ride Meal, Massage & Beer Garden available

Descanso Ride
Route map (PDF)

The Descanso Ride measures 60 miles and has 5,700 feet of elevation gain. It remains one of the toughest rides in California. Riders will be amply rewarded through not only completing the challenge but also in the sheer enjoyment of the long, long, downhills, quiet country roads and spectacular mountain scenery. This is not for the casual rider and the experienced riders are encouraged to start training early. Don't miss this awesome ride. Sign up now and bring a friend!

2009 Descanso Alpine Challenge
Miles CumMiles Directions
    Start at the Viejas Outlet Center - Right onto Willows Road
1.9 1.9 Turn Right (South) across freeway onto Alpine Blvd. (West)
4.4 6.3 Turn Left (South) onto South Grade Rd.
2.4 8.7 Cross Tavern Road intersection
2.8 11.5 Turn Left (West) onto Arnold Way
0.1 11.6 Turn Left (South) onto Harbison Canyon Rd.
4.6 16.2 Turn Left (East) onto Dehesa Rd.
0.7 16.9 SAG Stop - Dehesa Volunteer Fire Dept.
3.9 20.8 SAG Stop - Top of Dehesa Rd.
0.2 21.0 Turn Right (East) onto Japatul Rd.
7.1 28.1 Japatul Rd. becomes Japatul Valley Rd. at Lyons Valley Rd.
0.9 29.0 SAG Stop - Right Side; Just Past Lyons Valley Rd. junction
    Japatul Valley Rd. becomes Old Hwy 80 at I-8
7.5 36.5 Turn Left (North) onto Hwy 79
    SAG Stop - Right Side; Just Past Hwy 79 Turn-off
0.2 36.7 Turn Left (West) onto Viejas Blvd. (becomes Riverside Dr. going South)
2.6 39.3 Turn Right (South/West) onto Old Hwy 80
    Old Hwy 80 becomes Japatul Valley Rd. at I-8
6.0 45.3 SAG Stop - Left Side; Just Before Lyons Valley Rd. junction
0.9 46.2 Japatul Valley Rd. becomes Japatul Rd. at Lyons Valley Rd.
7.1 53.3 Japatul Rd. becomes Tavern Rd. at Dehesa Rd. junction
    Continue on Tavern Rd. (West, then North)
1.1 54.4 Turn Right (East) onto South Grade Rd.
2.4 56.8 Turn Right (East) onto Alpine Blvd.
1.2 58.0 Turn Left (North) across freeway onto Willows Rd. (East)
1.7 59.7 Finish at the Viejas Outlet Center

Pine Valley Ride
Route map (PDF)

When the Descanso riders turn towards Julian on Hwy 79, this ride continues east and rides through Guatay and Pine Valley. In Pine Valley, we tour an area on the Pine Valley Creek and then return to Hwy 79. There is a SAG stop on Valley View Trail. This colorful extension adds 12 miles and an additional 1,000 feet of elevation gain to the Descanso Ride - a total of 72 miles and almost 7,000 feet of vertical gain - this will be the ultimate challenge! Sign up now and bring a friend!

2009 Pine Valley Alpine Challenge

Miles CumMiles Directions
    Start at the Viejas Outlet Center - Right onto Willows Road
1.9 1.9 Turn Right (South) across freeway onto Alpine Blvd. (West)
4.4 6.3 Turn Left (South) onto South Grade Rd.
2.4 8.7 Cross Tavern Road intersection
2.8 11.5 Turn Left (West) onto Arnold Way
0.1 11.6 Turn Left (South) onto Harbison Canyon Rd.
4.6 16.2 Turn Left (East) onto Dehesa Rd.
0.7 16.9 SAG Stop - Dehesa Volunteer Fire Dept.
3.9 20.8 SAG Stop - Top of Dehesa Rd.
0.2 21.0 Turn Right (East) onto Japatul Rd.
7.1 28.1 Japatul Rd. becomes Japatul Valley Rd. at Lyons Valley Rd.
0.9 29.0 SAG Stop - Right Side; Just Past Lyons Valley Rd. junction
    Japatul Valley Rd. becomes Old Hwy 80 at I-8
7.6 36.6 SAG Stop - Right Side; Just Past Hwy 79 Turn-off
5.3 41.9 Turn Left (North) onto Laguna Trail
0.1 42.0 Turn Left (West/then North) onto Pine Blvd.
    Slight Left as Pine Blvd. becomes Spruce Rd.
    Slight Right as Spruce Rd. becomes Valley View Tr.
1.1 43.1 SAG Stop - Right Side
0.6 43.7 Turn Left (West) onto Pine Creek Crossing
0.1 43.8 Turn Left (South) onto Pine Creek Rd.
0.9 44.7 Turn Right (West) onto Old Hwy 80
3.8 48.5 SAG Stop - Left Side; Just Before Hwy 79 Turn-off
0.1 48.6 Turn Right (North) onto Hwy 79
0.2 48.8 Turn Left (West) onto Viejas Blvd. (becomes Riverside Dr. going South)
2.6 51.4 Turn Right (South/West) onto Old Hwy 80
    Old Hwy 80 becomes Japatul Valley Rd. at I-8
6.0 57.4 SAG Stop - Left Side; Just Before Lyons Valley Rd. junction
0.9 58.3 Japatul Valley Rd becomes Japatul Rd. at Lyons Valley Rd.
7.1 65.4 Japatul Rd. becomes Tavern Rd. at Dehesa Rd. junction
    Continue on Tavern Rd. (West/then North)
1.1 66.5 Turn Right (East) onto South Grade Rd.
2.4 68.9 Turn Right (East) onto Alpine Blvd.
1.2 70.1 Turn Left (North) across freeway onto Willows Rd. (East)
1.7 71.8 Finish at the Viejas Outlet Center

25 Mile Ride
Route map (PDF)

The 25-mile route is designed for the seasoned rider and provides a strenuous but doable ride both east and south of Alpine. If you're a "weekend warrior" looking to go to the next level, this challenge is also for you. The ride is the similar to last year's 30 Mile Ride by taking you up to the East Willows Road overpass. You will then ride West to South Grade Road. We've eliminated the Foss Street turn-off and send you to the end of South Grade. During the course of this ride you will enjoy some of the area's most beautiful rural roads. The Dehesa Grade climb, with 2,100 feet of elevation gain, will challenge you - but your efforts will be rewarded with refreshments and water at the top of the climb. Stick around to enjoy the festivities in the park. Sign up now and bring a friend!

2009 25 Mile Ride
Miles CumMiles Directions
    Start at the Viejas Outlet Center - Right onto Willows Rd.
1.9 1.9 Turn Right (South) across freeway onto Alpine Blvd. (West)
4.4 6.3 Turn Left (South) onto South Grade Rd.
2.4 8.7 cross Tavern Road intersection
2.8 11.5 Turn Left (West) onto Arnold Way
0.1 11.6 Turn Left (South) onto Harbison Canyon Rd.
4.6 16.2 Turn Left (East) onto Dehesa Rd.
0.7 16.9 SAG Stop - Dehesa Volunteer Fire Dept.
3.9 20.8 SAG Stop - Top of Dehesa Rd.
0.2 21.0 Turn Left (West/then North) onto Tavern Rd.
1.1 22.1 Turn Right (East) onto South Grade Rd.
2.4 24.5 Turn Right (East) onto Alpine Blvd.
1.2 25.7 Turn Left (North) across freeway onto Willows Rd. (East)
1.7 27.4 Finish at the Viejas Outlet Center

Proceeds benefit the Rady Children's Hospital San Diego and the Alpine Challenge Scholarship Fund.
2009 Outside The Box • Last revised 05/28/09