Note: You must register in advance for this ride, there is no day-of-event registration. Registration closes at noon on the Thursday before the ride.
The first 400k of this ride is identical to the Simi Valley Four Fingers 400k, which will be run concurrently. From the start in Simi Valley you will ride through citrus groves and avocados to the first control in Saticoy. Then you do a (sort of) out and back to Fillmore through the agricultural Heritage Valley. The next "finger" is from Ventura to Ojai and back using the Ojai-Ventura Bike Trail. Now comes the long section up the coast to the turn-around in Goleta. The return to Simi Valley is on familiar roads through Santa Barbara, Ventura, Port Hueneme and Camarillo.
After completing the first 400k, 600k riders can get a little sleep at the start/finish hotel, then head out for the fifth "finger", which heads over Santa Susana Pass, travels along the north edge of the San Fernando Valley, and does a loop of the west San Gabriel Valley. Although the total climbing for this 600k is a reasonable 14,500 ft, the last 200k is a bit hillier than the first 400k. Be sure to save a little something in the legs for the second day.
Much of this ride is self-supported. There will be a staffed control at the start/finish hotel which you will visit at the 400k mark and at the finish- hot food will be available there. At all other places along the course riders are responsible for obtaining their own food and water, here is a Services Guide to help you with this. Self-sufficiency is one of the hallmarks of randonneuring, so there is no SAG. However, we will have a couple volunteers on stand-by that could help out a rider in a serious situation.
The start/finish hotel is the Best Western Posada in Simi Valley. Riders should book their own rooms.
Full lights and reflective gear are required. Please see Article 10 of the RUSA Rules for Riders.