Additional Information
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 a challenging ride with over 32,000 ft of climbing, passing over mountains, through desert, valleys, and along the coast, with visits to several interesting Southern California landmarks. (Note- the route is still preliminary and will need to be approved by RUSA).
The first day travels from Santa Clarita to Tehachapi and on to Keene, California. The route crosses the Sierra Pelona Mountains and into the Antelope Valley. It then travels north to Tehachapi over the Tehachapi Mountains and through a wind farm, then passes the Tehachapi Loop (a railroad track loop that is so tight the trains pass over themselves) down to Keene. It returns along the same roads past the windmills and then heads to Palmdale where it stops by the Blackbird (SR-71) Air Park before heading back to Santa Clarita along the San Gabriel Mountains.
The second day travels through the Santa Clara River valley before turning to head up to the Ojai Valley. Leaving the Ojai Valley it goes past Casitas Lake and over the Casitas Pass double bump, it turns and heads up to Santa Barbara and Goleta, returning along the coast to Ventura and Oxnard before crossing the Oxnard Plains, crossing through Simi Valley and along the top of the San Fernando Valley and through the Newhall Pass back to Santa Clarita.
The third day travels the northern edge of the San Gabriel Valley and up into San Dimas Canyon. Returning across the San Gabriel Valley over the Santa Fe Dam, it takes a tour of Griffith Park with a spectacular view of the Hollywood sign and a visit to the Griffith Park Observatory, and then returns through the San Fernando Valley and Newhall pass to Santa Clarita and the finish.
The ride starts at the Best Western Six Flags Inn in Valencia. Each of the days' rides will finish at this hotel so riders can re-supply. Riders are responsible for booking their own rooms at the hotel- feel free to use the PCH Randos Google Group to find roommates to help share the cost. In general, riders will need to find their own food and water out on the course, but we will provide support in remote locations if no services are available.