Note:  You must register in advance for this ride- registration closes at noon on Thursday before the ride.  There is no late registration or day-of-event registration.  You must be a member of both PCH Randonneurs and RUSA in order to register. 

This is an early season 300K brevet that is almost entirely on paved bicycle paths, with short sections on Pacific Coast Highway.

We start at the Balboa Pier in Newport Beach and head up the Santa Ana River Trail to Riverside and head back to the beach the same way. From there we ride up the coast to Seal Beach and up San Gabriel River 13.25 miles to the turnaround control at the AM/PM. We then retrace the route back down the SGRT and the beach to the Balboa Pier.

Expect headwinds all the way down the Santa Ana River Trail and up to Seal Beach. The prevailing winds usually mean a tailwind back to the Balboa Pier!

This is a fairly flat 300K to get you qualified for PBP. It is a good training ride due to the consistent headwinds for at least half of the ride. PBP has a lot more climbing!

The finish is at the Balboa Inn at the Balboa Pier. Stacy and Greg will have pizza at the finish and there are many yummy culinary spots to satisfy any appetite.

As this is a holiday weekend in the US, consider making it a holiday mini-getaway. There is plenty of room at the Balboa Inn and there are several vacation rentals in the area!

Parking is available in the City Lot at the pier,   $1.90 per hour - $29.00 daily rate.  Free on-street parking is available on Balboa Blvd and the residential streets on either side of it once you get a few blocks away from the pier (North/West of Cypress, or South/East of B Street). See parking map.

This is a randonneuring ride, self-sufficiency is expected and camaraderie is encouraged. There is no SAG vehicle. Riders should plan on obtaining their own water and food on the course. 

All but the fastest riders will finish after sunset. We will be checking everyone for the required lights and reflective gear at the start.  Please review Article 10 of RUSA Rules for Riders about lighting and reflectivity requirements, and be sure that your gear meets RUSA reflectivity standards.

Be sure to download the RideWithGPS file the week of the ride. There may be changes made to the planning route.