Organized Bicycle Events

Online registration for many bicycle events is available at active.com.

More complete listings of bicycle events are available in the following publications:

• Raceplace San Diego, www.raceplace.com
• Bicycling Event Guide, www.bikelink.com

These publications and others are available at many bike shops and at the runners' restroom just south of the Visitor Information Center on East Mission Bay Drive near the Clairemont Drive exit from Interstate 5.

San Diego County has bicycle events all year round. In most cases, more information is available a few months before each event. The names may vary slightly from year to year.

Information About Upcoming Events

OR - Off-road

Some events outside San Diego County:

• Rosarito Ensenada, September 25, 2010, Rosarito. www.rosaritoensenada.org.
• RAT Beach Bike Tour, September 25, 2010, Torrance. ratbeachbiketour.com.
• Redlands Rotary Ride, October 16, 2010, Redlands. www.redlandsrotary.org/ride.
• Bike MS: Southern California Ride, October 16-17, 2010, Ventura. www.bikemssocal.org.
• Riverside Citrus Classic Bike Run, October 17, 2010, Riverside. riversideca.gov/citrusclassic.
• Long Beach International City Bank Marathon Bike Tour, October 17, 2010, Long Beach. www.runlongbeach.org.
• Solvang Prelude, November 6, 2010, Solvang. www.bikescor.com.
• Tour de Foothills, November 13, 2010, Upland. www.tourdefoothills.com.
• Solvang Century & Half Century, March 12, 2011, Solvang. www.bikescor.com.

Reviews of past rides

Do-It-Yourself Rides

Road bike rides:

Around San Diego Bay

A delightful 25-mile, two-and-a-half-hour ride with no significant hills. Most of it runs along bike lanes or separated bike paths. The scenery is rich and varied.

Around Mission Bay

An easy 14-mile ride around beautiful Mission Bay in San Diego, mostly along separated bike paths. Great views of the bay and the Pacific Ocean.

Buckman Springs and Boulevard Loop

A 37-mile scenic loop through the mountains east of San Diego.

Peñasquitos and Highway 56 Loop

A 20-mile scenic loop around Peñasquitos Canyon and along Highway 56 through McGonigle Canyon.

Mission Bay to Cabrillo Monument

A fairly easy 10-mile ride from Mission Bay to Cabrillo Monument in San Diego. The hills are gentle and the views are terrific.

San Diego County Century Ride

My first century ride. A 100-mile ride from Downtown San Diego to Escondido and Oceanside along inland routes and back to San Diego along the coast. Very few hills. Nearby bus and Coaster lines for support if necessary. Logistical support in business districts. The most do-able century in the county.

Julian Perimeter Ride

A scenic and challenging ride around the mountain community of Julian, California.

Off-road bike rides:

Around Poway

A 12-mile ride around Poway, mostly on unpaved riding and hiking trails. Good views, one rather difficult stream crossing.

Pamo Valley and Black Canyon

A 20-mile ride through Pamo Valley and Black Canyon north of Ramona. Magnificent views. About half of the ride runs along unpaved roads. You can also drive most of this route, but a four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended for the roughest part.

Florida Canyon in Balboa Park

Florida Canyon contains approximately five miles of mountain bike and hiking trails, of varying difficulty. It is close to downtown San Diego.

Mission Trails Regional Park

A map of the trails in part of Mission Trails Regional Park, drawn to scale and superimposed over a topographic map. Updated from time to time as trails are surveyed. Bicycles are allowed on most trails.

Fullerton Loop

A popular mostly off-road 12-mile loop in Fullerton, California.

Descriptions and maps for other off-road bike rides in Southern California may be found at www.socalmtb.com.