Ride Start: University Park
Please park on streets & gather at building
ROUTE SLIPS: Tu21 Irvine (1/22/24)
The Olive Grove Café on Burt/Progress, west of Sand Canyon
29.9 miles (14.9) +/-687 ft {CF 2 22.9’/m}
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41602018
> Detail of Mile 10-17 (Both Routes)
> Detail of Mile 17-24 (full 30)
25* miles (14.9) +/-522ft {CF 2 20.9’/m}
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41602046
(Skips some of Spectrum, Thomas, Rockfield, Bake and upper SD Creek on return)
Savvy Tips for Route 21:
The full route takes Bake across the 405 freeway...
Even though Bake is a Class II bikeway, Irvine and Caltrans have failed to paint any of the Complete Streets tools, and allows both right lanes to enter the freeway at two high speed entrances. Mile 19.7 to 20.3 can be a very stressful 1/2 mile.
Even though posted at 50 MPH, motorists speed on Bake, and they accelerate as they merge into the high speed entrances, making it critical for cyclists to assert their lane position early to be seen and safely cross the freeway.
You can’t signal and hope to be let over, you need to time your merge and be assertive.
Rockfield to Bake: @Mile 19.7
• Pause on Rockfield to regroup; several cyclists together have an advantage to be seen and control any lane. Pausing also lets you time the signal so less traffic is coming down Bake behind you as you merge into the road.
• Merge out of the narrowing #4 lane as soon as possible to control the #3 lane.
There is no room to ride the gutter & share the #4 lane with passing vehicles.
Clear the #4 RTOL: take & Control the #3 lane or take the sidewalk.
If you don’t feel safe merging over, use a driveway to get onto the sidewalk.
Bake to 405 NB entrance: Mile 19.9
• If you are already controlling the #3 lane, motorists heading for the freeway will pass on the right in the #4 RTOL. Those going straight can merge and pass you in the #1 or #2 lanes on your left.
• If you try to control the #4 RTOL you will have speeding motorist passing and entering the freeway across you from the #3 combo lane, and will be unable to merge over to control the #3 lane. Just stay right and use the shoulder.
• If you make it to the shoulder or ride the sidewalk, watch out at the crosswalk. If one lane stops for you the second lane may not.
Controlling the #3 combo lane really is safest.
BAKE to 405 SB entrance: Mile 20.3
• There is an unmarked bike lane over the bridge, but merge back out to control the #3 combo lane as early as possible, well before the bike lane ends for a RTOL.
• If you make it to the shoulder after the bike lane ends or ride the sidewalk, watch out at the crosswalk. If one lane stops for you the second lane may not.
• Past the exit, everyone can get together in the bike lane at mile 20.4.
Please share feedback suggestions & comments on this, or any BCI Ride with our Ride Coordinator.
Guests are welcome, but minors (<18) may only ride under the direct supervision of an adult guardian.
Many gather for lunch after the ride at the local shopping center.
