The Camp Pendleton Workaround

Our riders have ridden on the 5 Freeway since 2018. Is it nerve-racking? For some - but most find that the traffic is so bad that our cyclists go faster on the shoulder of the freeway than the cars in the lanes! So how do The Boob Riders do it? Keep reading for some helpful hints

#1: Get Your Bike and Your Mind Ready (This is a Vibe Shift)

This isn’t your cute coastal cruise with coffee shops and beach selfies. This is:

• Riding on the shoulder and watching out for debris
• Making sure you have front and back lights - the brighter and blinky-er the better
• Packing your bike maintenance kit and flat repair
• Not wearing headphones - you'll need all your senses
• A steady hum of “okay… we’re doing this”

Think of it as your mini Tour de France moment, minus the helicopters but maybe a few military vehicles.

#2: Ride Smart, Not Heroic

You don’t win anything by going solo into the wind like a movie montage.

• Stick with a group and ride single file - you are a line, not a blob
• Call out everything: "Car back", "Debris", "Slowing"
• Drafting = your best friend (and your legs will thank you later)

Translation: Save your energy—you’ve still got miles ahead.

#3: Shoulder Check is Your Love Language

You’ll be riding along a highway shoulder, so:

• Hold a straight line (this is not interpretive dance time)
• Be predictable
• Check over your shoulder before any movement
• Take the exit into the Aliso Creek Rest Stop and ride through the rest stop and enter the freeway again. Don't ride through the freeway entrances.

Basically: ride like a pro, even if you’re thinking about snacks.

#4: Wind Happens (A Lot)

This stretch is known for:

• Headwinds, crosswinds, and 'Why is this still a headwind?” winds

Pro tip:

• Lower your upper body a bit
• Relax your grip
• Accept your fate and keep pedaling

# 5: Hydrate & Fuel Before You Hit It

There’s not much in the way of stops here. So before entering:

• Drink water
• Eat something
• Mentally say, “See you in 7.6 miles, civilization”

#6. It’s Actually Not That Bad (Promise)

Here’s the truth:

• The shoulder is usually wide
• Visibility is good
• It’s pretty steady riding

And honestly? There’s something kind of satisfying about it. You’ll come out the other side like: “Yeah… I handled the freeway. No big deal.”

If You Get a Flat

Rule #1: Don’t panic and don’t slam your brakes

• Signal and gradually move off to the right
• Get completely off the shoulder if possible
• Call out “Flat!” so riders behind you don’t pile up

🧰 What You Should Carry (Non-Negotiable):

• Spare tube (2 if you don’t trust your luck)
• Tire levers
• CO₂ or mini pump
• Patch kit (bonus points for optimism)

🧍‍♂️ Where to Fix It:

• As far off the road as possible
• Not in the riding line (this is how chain-reaction chaos starts)
• Find a safe, stable spot—even if it means walking a bit

🤝 Group Etiquette:

• If someone flats, 1–2 people stop to help
• Not the entire Tour de Friendship
• Everyone else keeps rolling unless told otherwise

🚐 Worst Case Scenario:

• If you’re out of tubes or the tire is toast
• Call the SAG number on your route slip (or your ride support option)
• This is not the place to MacGyver a tire with a Clif Bar wrapper

🎯 Bottom Line

This stretch is less about speed and more about consistency, awareness, and not doing anything weird. Ride steady. Ride smart. Ride like someone who wants to enjoy the rest of the day. You’ll be through it before your legs even realize what happened
That little feeling of victory hits different. 💪

The Boob Ride Team 💕