Triathlon Gets Tentative Approval to Roll Through San Juan

After initial the route of the 56-mile cycling leg of the Orangeman Triathlon is looking more likely to traverse San Juan Capistrano after all.

Without first seeking approval from local officials, race organizers had planned, and publicized, for cyclists to ride on San Juan bike trails after completing a swim in Dana Point. When in late April they presented their plan—which included closing trails and Ortega Highway to the public for about five hours Sept. 25—the City Council postponed its approval until organizers had prepared a traffic management plan.

After reviewing the new traffic management plan Tuesday night, the City Council voted 3-2 to allow 1,500 racers to speed through town so long as the route is approved by Caltrans and other agencies. Other conditions of approval are that city staffers sign off on all of the potential safety hazards and that the organizers accept all of the fees the city may impose, such as for permits.

"There are still some details that need to be worked out, but I feel better about it now," said City Councilman Larry Kramer.

Some of the safety concerns expressed by the council members include the width of the trails through town and the sharp turn onto a bridge overpass.

The vote comes just in the nick of time, as early registration for the half-distance triathlon is May 23.

The traffic management plan includes requirements that cyclists ride single file and that they be off roadways by 12:30 p.m. If the plan is approved by Caltrans, the highway will closed to the public east of Antonio Parkway between 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

"I used to drive up Ortega Highway quite often. There's really no way but to shut it down; there’s blind curves," Councilman Derek Reeve said Tuesday.

The bike portion of Orangeman will start and end at the Salt Creek Beach Park. The bike portion is an "out‐and‐back" that takes the athletes through Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano and then out to Ortega Highway. There is a turnaround on Ortega at mile marker 22, which is 28 miles into the bike course.

Here's the route:

• Turn right on Stonehill Drive to San Juan Creek Bike Trail.
• Head north on San Juan Creek bike trail and continue over the 5 freeway underpass.
• Exit San Juan Creek bike trail to Paseo Tirado.
• Turn right at Calle Arroyo and proceed to Avenida Siega
• Turn right on Ortega Highway.
• Turn around at mile marker 22.