Rule the Empire

It's an Inland Empire classic and it will test your pedal mettle. This 28-mile lollipop-loop tour of Yucaipa and Redlands features high mountain scenery and palm-lined boulevards, where views of the San Bernardino Mountains meet streets rich with history. From Yucaipa Community Park zigzag uphill to Pendleton Road, one of coolest roads in town with big views of the Yucaipa Valley. Pedal your way over to Crafton Hills College for a one-mile descent through Sand Canyon to remnant orange groves in east Redlands. Drop down to the historic Kimberly Crest House, former digs of one of Redlands' early visionaries. From here, coast nearly pedal-free to the lively downtown Redlands area (the à la minute ice cream shop has delectable rest-stop temptations, including creative flavors like chocolate lavender and olive oil vanilla bean). A marked bike lane on Brookside Avenue and wide-shouldered streets lead back to stunning Victorian homes along Highland Avenue at the base of the hills. Ogle the vintage digs and grunt up a tough but scenic climb to Sunset Drive. Stately mansions and faraway vistas wind along Sunset high above Redlands, accompanied by swerve-worthy valley and mountain views to a jump across I-10 and back to the homestretch to Yucaipa Park.

From the I-10 freeway, exit at Oak Glen Rd. Go 4.3 miles to a left turn into Yucaipa Community Park. Back on Oak Glen, ride 0.75 mile to Bryant St. Turn right and roll 0.5 mile to Date Ave. Go left, ride up to Fremont St. and turn right. At Pendleton Rd. go left and roll for just over 1 mile to Oak Glen Rd. and turn left. Go 1.75 miles to the trailhead; catch the bike path on the north side of Oak Glen, and spin 1.4 miles to Chapman Heights Rd. Go right to Sand Canyon Rd. and ride 1.8 miles to its junction with 5th Ave. Go 2 miles to Highland Ave and another 1 mile to Cajon St. Turn right and in 1 mile turn left at Citrus Ave. (Citrus becomes Brookside Ave. in one block.) Ride 1 mile on Brookside to San Mateo St. and turn left. Climb 1.2 miles to Highland Ave. and turn left, reaching Center St. in 0.5 mile. Go right, climbing 0.9 mile to Ridge St. A right turn heads uphill to Sunset Dr. S. Ride 3.2 miles (continue straight onto Alta Vista when Sunset Dr. veers left) to Highview Dr. and turn right, snaking through the neighborhood (left on Avenue N, right on Florida, left on 17th St.) to Outer Highway 10. Turn right and in 0.2 mile go left across the interstate. Follow 16th St. for 0.6 mile to Ave. D and go right. In 1.5 miles turn left on 10th St. to reach Yucaipa Blvd. Continue on 10th St. 0.6 mile to Chapman Heights Rd. Turn right and retrace to Oak Glen and the final 1.5 miles to the park.