S. Main Divide – Tenaja – Fallbrook

This easy-to-intermediate route (depending on recent weather) has a nice mix of mellow dirt sections and challenging, twisty paved roads in a gorgeous, mostly wooded area, complete with a lunch stop mid-way for world-class BBQ.

The route quickly gets to fun stuff as you head into the scenic Santa Rosa Plateau region. Right off the bat, you’ll be on a short dirt stage to get you warmed up for an engaging adventure bike ride that will take you at least half a day to complete.

Dirt stage 2 is brief but can have a few challenges to keep you focused and leads you to the barely-paved South Main Divide Rd, which is narrow but TWO-WAY, so be extra cautious on blind corners.

You’ll then find yourself at the third dirt stage, De Luz Truck Trail, which is a slightly more advanced section that descends into the town of Fallbrook. This trail can have shallow rain ruts mid-corner, so stay on your toes and try to ride perpendicular across them.

After more twisties and a short ride through downtown Fallbrook, you’ll be at Fallbrook Rib Shack, one of our favorite roadside eateries in all of CA. Fill your stomach and decide if you’re tuckered out and want to head back on the 15 or continue on for more paved and loose terrain fun. The last dirt stage is very easy and has good sight lines, enabling a little sideways fun if you’re so inclined and is book-ended by a wonderland of winding backroads sure to excite riders of any skill level.