En route to Dudley's Famous Bakery on Route 78.

It’s the time of year when fellow motorcyclists back east and up north are storing their bikes for the winter. The fall rains and coming winter snows, accompanied by frigid temperatures, will leave them reading about and yearning for riding.

Those of us who ride in San Diego are fortunate, though – this is a great time of year to hit the roads. All it takes is a worthy destination.

Get away to Dudley’s

Naturally, said destination should include a place to grab a bite to eat. My pick: Santa Ysabel for a stop at Dudley’s Famous Bakery. Not far from downtown San Diego, it’s a nice ride during the fall. You won’t be disappointed by either the ride – one of the best that the East County has to offer – or the destination. (Plus, with all the negative commentary about gluten, maybe it’s better to sneak out of town for your fix.)

The route: Iron Mountain and Ramona

From central San Diego, head east on Interstate 8. Shortly after cresting the rise as the freeway enters the El Cajon Valley, take the Route 67 exit towards. It won’t be long before you breeze through Lakeside and begin the climb up the hill. This is definitely not a high-speed run, with the 55 MPH limit energetically enforced.

After topping the first part of ascent, the first major intersection, complete with traffic light, is the junction with the Scripps Poway Parkway joining from the west (left). Continuing on Route 67, the next major intersection is the junction with S-4/Poway Road. On the right is the parking lot for the Iron Mountain Trailhead, for those of you with the desire and energy to hike Iron Mountain.

Today, I’m yearning for baked goods, so I open the throttle. As the road narrows into two lanes, you’re just a few miles from Ramona and still climbing. Once over the next hill, you enter the Ramona Valley and close on the town of Ramona.

I find Ramona to be of two distinct sections, western and eastern, separated at 10th Street and the junction with Route 78. The western side is more commercial; the eastern side present a little more character, with some of the older buildings visible. Don’t blink or your ride through Ramona will be over.

Route 78

Continuing straight, you're on Route 78 as it continues east. Your ride is now through open terrain, with hills on both sides. (This section of road can be crowded on Fridays and the weekends, with a mix of recreational vehicles, motorcycles and farm/ranch vehicles. I recommend making your day trip on a Wednesday or Thursday.)

Route 78, also known as the Old Julian Highway, provides openness and clear roadway at times, with the pavement cruising through small valleys among the rolling hills. Before you know it, before you is a road junction and a collection of buildings. The first of these, on the left (north) side of the road, is Dudley’s Famous Bakery.

Browsing the bakery aisles.

Destination reached

I pull in, park the bike, dismount, and walk towards the rather nondescript building. As I walk, I can see others continuing on Route 78, heading to Julian, perhaps for a piece of pie. But I’ve found the exact spot, with plenty of parking, where I can enjoy my gluten – guilt-free. Apple pie, even, if I'm so inclined.

Entering the building, there are three main sections in the large open space: a small gift shop on my right, a sandwich bar, and at the rear, the Dudley’s store. Racks are filled with loaves of bread, sweet rolls, pies and all manner of baked goods.

This, of course, results in decision-making challenges. Fortunately, on this getaway my mind and taste buds were already set on turnovers.

"Two please, one cherry and one apple," I ask of the gal at the counter.

Taking the glorious gluten treats to one of the tables by the entrance, I order a cup of coffee from the sandwich bar, and sit down to enjoy it all. Delicious. My gluten craving satisfied, this outing provides a terrific time on the bike.

Want more East County weekend getaways? Check out these stories on Julian and Santa Ysabel.