Camp Pendleton Base Access 2019

Very Important: Camp Pendleton requires a DBIDS card to ride through the base.

We can not get you into the base and the online form that was used for the last few years is no longer available. The military bases are all implementing a Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS). Camp Pendleton has generously created a pass just for cyclist that is good for an entire year. The normal base ID access process requires more steps and is very constrained; however, the annual pass was designed just for the SoCal Cycling Community.

To get a DBIDS card, you must:

  1. Go to the Oceanside Visitor center
    20250 Vandegrift Blvd, Oceanside, CA 92058
  2. Hours: Monday to Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Rumor has it that there may be Saturday hours, but call to confirm.
  3. Bring a "Real ID". You will need a current CA Drivers License that is a "Real ID" or a current passport.
  4. For questions regarding base access, please call 760-763-8435.
  5. More details.

Our official routes utilizes the shoulders of the I-5 freeway. Don't freak out! Below is how to handle this short section. The Amtrak Century has successfully sent almost 2,000 riders to San Diego via the I-5 freeway without incident.

Four of the routes for The Boob Rides in Orange County and San Diego 2018 go through or around Camp Pendleton. They are:

  • Orange County
    • C-Cup - 60 miles
    • D-Cup - 90 miles
  • San Diego
    • C-Cup - 60 miles
    • D-Cup - 90 Miles

 

How to Ride the Freeway

No need to freak out about the freeway. Many other large events like The Amtrak Century and the MS 150 have had to deal with this challenge as well. Some of the rides had all the riders on the freeway without incident.

Stay Far Right

A normal road ride route would allow a rider to be just to the right of the white line in the bike lane. We typically ride there because that is the cleanest section of asphalt, with the least amount of tire puncture potential. This is also true on the freeway. However, cars are whizzing by at 65 mph+ creating too much potential for danger! So, don't ride there.

The freeway shoulder is much wider than a typical bike lane. The area closest to the car lane is a clean section of asphalt, then a pile of debris, and then a somewhat clean spot to the far right side. Stay to the far right and pay attention to debris. 

The cool part about the freeway is that the cars can create a vacuum that pulls you along, or at least gets rid of any headwind. It really isn't that bad.

In and Out of Rest Stop

There is a rest stop on I-5 going north and south between Las Pulgas and Oceanside. The safe thing to do is to go into the rest stop and out the other side. 

If you do not go in/out then you are crossing high speed traffic as they are exiting the freeway and entering the freeway. Drivers are not used to seeing cyclist crossing on/off ramps, they may hit you. 

Going into the rest stop allows you to stay on the shoulder into and out of the rest stop. Watch out for cars in the parking lot too.  

Not a Big Deal

I have ridden the freeway. It is not a big deal, especially now that you know what to do.

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