Note: You must register in advance.  Registration closes at 10 PM on Thursday before the ride - there is no day-of-event registration.  You must be a member of RUSA and PCH Randonneurs to register.

Ride Description- Come join us for the 6th SoCal Winter Solstice Ride, reappearing after getting COVID canceled in 2020.  (It's an Almost Winter Solstice ride- we're not doing the ride on the actual solstice, but having the ride on Saturday makes it easier for people with jobs.)   Get out your thermal tights, decorate your bike with holiday lights, and join a group of other crazies riding through the longest night of the year.    The route is a mostly flat, point-to-point ride from Pasadena to Oceanside.  We start with a little loop of South Pasadena and La Canada, then head over to the San Gabriel River Trail.  The River Trail takes us all the way to Seal Beach, then we'll follow the coastal route to Oceanside.  The start and finish are both at train stations with parking, so it is fairly easy to handle the logistics.

Although the ride is not technically an audax-style ride, riding with others is strongly encouraged, especially on the SGRT at night.  In keeping with the holiday spirit, you are invited to enjoy a midnight meal together at the Harbor House Cafe in Sunset Beach(COVID conditions permitting), about 67 miles into the ride.  The dinner is included in the ride fee.  One of the best things about this ride is seeing all the Christmas lights as we ride through the towns.  You are encouraged to decorate your bike too- you'll be tickled at the positive reactions this elicits from car drivers and pedestrians.

This is a minimally supported ride.  There is no SAG vehicle.

Parking- There is overnight parking available at the Sierra Madre Villa Station and at the Oceanside Station.  If you live in the LA area, you can drive to the SMV Station, or better yet take the Gold Line train there.  After you finish in Oceanside on Sunday morning, you can take the train (either Amtrak or Metrolink) to Union Station, and then the Gold Line back to SMV Station.  If you live in the San Diego area, you can park at the Oceanside Station and take the train to the start.