Introduction
Cycling is not just a mode of transport but a passion for many in California.
The state’s diverse terrain—from coastal routes to challenging mountain paths—provides a perfect playground for cycling events.
The 2024 calendar is packed with numerous events catering to different types of cyclists.
This guide explores some of the most anticipated cycling events, including road races, mountain biking competitions, gravel rides, and charity events. We’ll highlight the iconic stages, routes, and attractions that make these events memorable.
Popular Road Cycling Events
Tour of California
The Tour of California is one of the most prestigious road cycling events in the United States. Although it has been on hiatus recently, there are hopes for its return in 2024.
This multi-stage race covers scenic routes across California, attracting top professional teams and cyclists from around the world.
Iconic Stages: The Tour of California, if revived, would typically cover routes from Northern to Southern California, including famous stages through the Sierra Nevada mountains, the Pacific Coast Highway, and iconic cities like San Francisco, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles.
Routes & Attractions: The race traditionally starts in Northern California, with stages passing through Sacramento, Tahoe, and the redwoods. The route often includes a climb to Mount Baldy, known as the race's queen stage, offering challenging ascents and breathtaking views. The finale in Pasadena, with a route ending at the iconic Rose Bowl, is a highlight.
California Coast Classic Bike Tour
Taking place annually, the California Coast Classic Bike Tour is an eight-day event that covers over 500 miles of California’s breathtaking coastline. The ride starts in San Francisco and ends in Los Angeles, providing cyclists with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and the chance to raise funds for the Arthritis Foundation.
Iconic Stages: This eight-day tour follows the Pacific Coast Highway from San Francisco to Los Angeles, covering approximately 525 miles. Each day brings cyclists along picturesque coastal routes, charming small towns, and scenic overlooks.
Routes & Attractions: Riders start at the Golden Gate Bridge and pass through Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz, Big Sur, and Morro Bay. Highlights include the historic Bixby Creek Bridge, Hearst Castle near San Simeon, and the beautiful beaches of Santa Barbara.
Solvang Century
Held in the quaint Danish village of Solvang, the Solvang Century is a one-day event attracting cyclists from all over the country. Participants can choose from several route options, including a 100-mile, 50-mile, or 25-mile ride. The event is well-organized and is famous for its scenic routes through the Santa Ynez Valley.
Iconic Stages: Solvang Century takes cyclists through the rolling hills and vineyards of the Santa Ynez Valley. The ride typically begins and ends in the Danish-inspired town of Solvang, known for its unique architecture and pastries.
Routes & Attractions: The route includes scenic byways, including Foxen Canyon and Ballard Canyon Roads. Riders enjoy views of vineyards, ranches, and wildflowers. A stop at the famous Cold Spring Tavern, a stagecoach stop from the 1800s, offers a taste of local history.
Mountain Biking Competitions
Sea Otter Classic
The Sea Otter Classic is considered the world's largest cycling festival, held annually in Monterey, California. This four-day event includes a wide range of cycling competitions, with a strong emphasis on mountain biking. The festival features cross-country races, downhill competitions, dual slalom, and even e-bike events.
Sea Otter Classic
Iconic Stages: The Sea Otter Classic is held at the Laguna Seca Recreation Area near Monterey. The mountain bike events feature a mix of cross-country, downhill, and dual slalom courses, known for their technical challenges and stunning coastal views.
Routes & Attractions: The trails include scenic views of the Pacific Ocean and the iconic corkscrew descent at Laguna Seca Raceway. The festival atmosphere with vendors, demo rides, and pro athletes make this event a favorite among cyclists.
Downieville Classic
Known as one of the most challenging mountain biking competitions in California, the Downieville Classic is a two-day event that combines a cross-country race with a downhill competition. Set in the Sierra Nevada mountains, this event attracts some of the best mountain bikers looking to test their skills on rugged terrains.
Iconic Stages: This event is held in the historic town of Downieville, nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The two-day competition combines a 29-mile cross-country race and a 17-mile downhill race.
Routes & Attractions: Riders experience challenging singletrack trails, river crossings, and steep descents. The route passes through the stunning Tahoe National Forest, with views of the Yuba River and the rugged mountain landscape.
Leadville Qualifier Series
The Leadville Qualifier Series offers mountain bikers a chance to qualify for the Leadville Trail 100 MTB, one of the most famous mountain bike races in the U.S. The qualifier held in California is a part of the series and provides an opportunity for cyclists to experience high-altitude racing.
Iconic Stages: The California qualifier for the Leadville Trail 100 MTB takes place in various locations, including Lake Tahoe. The high-altitude race tests cyclists with long climbs and technical descents.
Routes & Attractions: Cyclists navigate forested trails, rocky sections, and breathtaking alpine scenery. The event provides a taste of what the Leadville 100 offers, with the challenge of thin air and rugged terrain.
Gravel and Adventure Rides
Belgian Waffle Ride
The Belgian Waffle Ride (BWR) is a unique and challenging gravel ride that takes participants through both road and off-road sections. Originating in San Diego, the BWR has gained a reputation for its tough course that combines paved roads with dirt trails and technical singletracks.
Iconic Stages: The BWR in San Diego features a mix of road and off-road riding, with over 140 miles of challenging terrain. The event is known for its "unroad" sections, which test both bike handling skills and endurance.
Routes & Attractions: The ride starts and ends in San Marcos, taking cyclists through North County San Diego’s backroads, canyons, and singletrack trails. Iconic sections include Lake Hodges, Black Canyon, and the technical climb of Double Peak.
Grinduro
Grinduro is a combination of gravel racing and mountain biking, offering a unique race format with timed sections for both climbs and descents. Held in Quincy, California, Grinduro is more than just a race; it’s a festival with music, art, and food, attracting a diverse crowd of cyclists.
Iconic Stages: Held in Quincy, California, Grinduro combines gravel racing with enduro-style timed sections. The event features a challenging loop that includes both gravel roads and singletrack trails.
Routes & Attractions: Cyclists ride through the Sierra Nevada foothills, with scenic views of dense forests, alpine lakes, and rugged mountain terrain. The community vibe, music festival atmosphere, and unique race format make it a standout event.
Eroica California
Eroica California celebrates vintage cycling, encouraging participants to ride on classic steel-framed bikes. The event includes several route options through the scenic backroads of Paso Robles, combining challenging climbs with the charm of old-school cycling.
Iconic Stages: Eroica California is based in Paso Robles and celebrates vintage cycling with routes designed for classic bikes. The event includes several route options, with the longest covering 123 miles.
Routes & Attractions: Participants ride through vineyards, rolling hills, and historic ranches. Highlights include Old Creek Road, with its panoramic views, and the historic Mission San Miguel. The event’s focus on vintage bikes and apparel adds a nostalgic charm.
Charity and Fundraising Rides
AIDS/LifeCycle
AIDS/LifeCycle is a seven-day, 545-mile charity ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles, raising funds for HIV/AIDS services. This event not only offers a chance to enjoy the stunning California coastline but also to support a meaningful cause. Participants are supported throughout the journey with rest stops, meals, and entertainment.
Iconic Stages: The 545-mile ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles offers some of California’s most stunning coastal views. Each day’s ride is unique, with stops at famous landmarks and local communities.
Routes & Attractions: The journey includes cycling across the Golden Gate Bridge, along the Pacific Coast Highway, through Santa Cruz and Big Sur, and finishing with a celebratory ride into Los Angeles. The camaraderie and support make this a memorable event.
Bike MS: Bay to Bay
Bike MS: Bay to Bay is a two-day ride that supports the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Cyclists can choose between various routes ranging from 30 to 100 miles, all while enjoying the coastal views of Southern California. The event provides full support, including meals, mechanical assistance, and rest stops.
Iconic Stages: This two-day event takes riders along Southern California’s coast, starting in Orange County and ending in San Diego. The ride offers various distance options, catering to different fitness levels.
Routes & Attractions: Cyclists enjoy scenic views of the Pacific Ocean, coastal cliffs, and charming beach towns. The route includes riding along the iconic Coast Highway, with rest stops at places like Oceanside Pier and Torrey Pines.
Amgen Tour of California Ride
This community ride allows amateur cyclists to ride the same routes as the professional Amgen Tour of California. While the main event may not be running annually, the community ride still offers a chance to experience some of the iconic routes and challenge oneself while supporting local charities.
Iconic Stages: This community ride, held in conjunction with the professional Amgen Tour of California, offers amateur cyclists a chance to experience some of the race’s iconic routes.
Routes & Attractions: Participants ride through famous sections of the tour, which may include the climb up Mount Diablo, the scenic coastal route from Monterey to Morro Bay, and the urban setting of downtown Los Angeles.
Amateur and Local Cycling Events
L’Etape California
L’Etape California, organized in association with the Tour de France, provides amateur cyclists the chance to experience a stage of the Tour de France. The event includes challenging climbs and descents, simulating the conditions of the famous race. It attracts cyclists looking for a serious challenge and a taste of professional racing.
Iconic Stages: Modeled after a stage of the Tour de France, L’Etape California includes challenging climbs and scenic routes. The event typically takes place in the San Bernardino Mountains.
Routes & Attractions: Cyclists tackle climbs such as Glendora Mountain Road and the Mount Baldy summit. The route offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, providing a true test of endurance.
Santa Barbara 100
The Santa Barbara 100 offers various route options, including a 100-mile, 100-km, and a 34-mile ride, catering to cyclists of different skill levels. The event showcases the beauty of Santa Barbara’s coastline and mountains, providing participants with stunning views and challenging climbs.
Iconic Stages: The Santa Barbara 100 features a challenging route through the coastal and mountain regions of Santa Barbara. Cyclists can choose from different distances, including a 100-mile century ride.
Routes & Attractions: Riders experience the beauty of the Santa Ynez Mountains, the rugged Gaviota Pass, and the scenic Pacific Coast. The route includes iconic climbs like Gibraltar Road, known for its breathtaking vistas.
Death Ride
Also known as the Tour of the California Alps, the Death Ride is one of the most grueling cycling events in California. The route covers five mountain passes over 129 miles, with a total elevation gain of approximately 15,000 feet. This event is for serious cyclists looking for an extreme endurance challenge.
Iconic Stages: Known for its grueling nature, the Death Ride covers five mountain passes in the Sierra Nevada, including Monitor Pass, Ebbetts Pass, and Carson Pass. The total elevation gain is around 15,000 feet.
Routes & Attractions: Cyclists ride through alpine scenery, including high-altitude meadows, alpine lakes, and dense forests. The challenge of completing all five passes makes it one of the most demanding events in California.
Tips for Participants
Training: Ensure you are well-prepared for the event by training consistently. Focus on building endurance, strength, and climbing skills, especially for mountainous routes.
Nutrition: Pay attention to your nutrition before and during the event. Carry energy gels, bars, and enough water to stay hydrated and maintain energy levels.
Equipment: Make sure your bike is in good condition. Check the brakes, gears, and tires. Carry spare tubes, a pump, and basic tools for any emergency repairs.
Safety: Follow all safety regulations, wear a helmet, and be aware of the weather conditions. Ensure you have appropriate clothing and gear for varying weather scenarios.
Pacing: Start at a comfortable pace. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement at the beginning, but conserving energy will help you finish strong.
Conclusion
California’s diverse landscape and commitment to cycling make it a hotspot for both professional and amateur cyclists. The 2024 cycling season promises a variety of events that cater to all types of cyclists.
Whether you're a road racer, mountain biker, or simply someone who enjoys a leisurely ride for a cause, California has an event for you.
Mark your calendars, prepare your gear, and get ready to participate in some of the most thrilling and scenic cycling events in the country.
FAQs
What is the most challenging cycling event in California?
The Death Ride is considered one of the most challenging due to its five mountain passes and significant elevation gain, testing even the most experienced cyclists.
Are there cycling events suitable for beginners in California?
Yes, events like the California Coast Classic Bike Tour and some charity rides offer shorter, less demanding routes suitable for beginners.
Can I participate in these events without a road bike?
Some events, especially gravel and mountain biking competitions, allow for other types of bikes. However, road cycling events typically require a road bike.
How do I prepare for the high-altitude events like the Downieville Classic?
Acclimatization is key. Spend time at higher altitudes before the event, and focus on building cardiovascular fitness and climbing strength.
Do these events provide support for cyclists?
Most events offer support, including rest stops, mechanical assistance, medical aid, and SAG (Support and Gear) vehicles. It's recommended to check the event details for specific support services.