Note: You must register in advance. Registration closes at noon on Thursday before the ride - there is no late or day-of-event registration. You must be a member of RUSA and PCH Randonneurs to register.
The ride starts by climbing up to San Francisquito Pass in the Sierra Pelona Mountains, and then takes Lake Hughes Road down to the Castaic Junction. Lake Hughes Road does bring you down to Castaic, but there are steep climbs along the way. In exchange, there are great views of Castaic Lake and of interesting rock formations along the way.
The route then follows Hwy 126 through the Heritage Valley to Santa Paula where it turns and heads up to Ojai. Hwy 150 was closed due to a mudslide, but there is now a walking path past the slide. The climb up to Ojai is moderate, and is followed by a long, fast descent to the Denison Grade where there is a spectacular view of the Ojai Valley and the Topa Topa Mountains.
From Ojai the route goes past Lake Casitas and over the familiar double bump (with more spectacular views of the lake) and then follows the inland route past Carpenteria to Montecito (where you can stop for lunch or a snack at the ever-popular Pierre Lafond market.)
It then heads to the coast for a flat ride down to and through Oxnard and across the Oxnard plain, then past the Naval Air Station to pick up PCH again. After a beautiful (possibly sunset) ride along the coast (keep an eye out for dolphins), the route turns inland and climbs Encinal Canyon Road to Hwy 23 and down into the San Fernando Valley. There will be a staffed control at a viewpoint on Encinal Canyon Road.
Following the foothills surrounding the valley, the route heads up through Newhall Pass and back to Santa Clarita. The route will end at the ride leader's house where there will be food, and a place to nap if needed.
This is a fairly challenging route, mainly due to the climbing at the beginning and the end. Fortunately, most of the climbing should come before and after the mid-day heat. There are services along most of the route, but be sure to carry enough water, particularly for the Lake Hughes Road portion of the ride. There is water available at a hose bib outside the Green Valley Market (as well as in the market itself) on the climb to San Francisquito pass, and on PCH at Sycamore Cove Beach before Encinal Canyon Road.
Parking is available at the start in Bridgeport Park, and along Bridgeport Lane in front of the park. The bathrooms in the park may not be open at the start time, but there is a Starbucks not far away at the corner of Newhall Ranch Road and Bouquet Canyon Road.
Full lights and reflective gear are required. Please see Article 10 of the RUSA Rules for Riders.
This is a minimally supported ride. Riders are responsible for finding their own food and water on course. Food will be provided at the finish. There is no SAG vehicle.