San Diego 
Christmas Bike Ride
Plan to be a part of our 52nd Anniversary Ride!! This exciting six day bicycle trip tours through the mountains, deserts, and seacoast around San Diego! The daily average is 65 miles with one day of 100 miles. On the morning of December 26, riders from all over the world will set out on this unique adventure.
Accommodations * Meals * Sag Wagon * Commemorative T-Shirt
Earn your own discount! For each new rider you refer you will receive $50.00 off YOUR registration fee. Referral discount check will be mailed to you after the ride (limited to 6 new riders, new riders MUST list you as referring party on their registration form for you to receive the discount)
Fees: $350 (includes HI-USA membership)
$325 for current members.
Register now at Active.com or
download the entry form.
Proceeds from the Christmas Bike
Ride will benefit our
Youth Education and Outreach Programs.
Hostelling International USA, San Diego Council is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit.
General Information
Thank you for joining this traditional Holiday Ride!! We are looking forward to meeting you and sharing a HI-USA adventure. We will be riding about 400 miles in six days. There are a few hills, and hopefully you have been riding to get into shape. Once your entry form is received, we will mail out a registration packet with details about the ride. Listed below is some basic information about the trip.
Starting Point
We will meet at 7:30 A.M. on December 26th at the University of San Diego (USD).
You will enter off of Linda Vista Way onto Marian Way. After you pass the security
booth the parking lot will be on your left hand side.
Click here for a map. Our trip prices do not include travel to and from the trip's
starting point. Travel to and from the starting point is your responsibility.
There will be a rental truck to put your bags in. Please bring just the necessities. YOU will be loading and unloading the gear from the truck every day, you will be glad you packed lightly.
Parking
If you plan to leave your vehicle in the parking lot during the bicycle trip, there will be a $5.00 charge for a temporary parking permit from USD.
Permits will be available the first day of the ride. Only cash will be accepted.
Fees
Your trip fee covers overnight facilities in church multipurpose rooms, recreation centers, and gymnasiums, breakfast and dinner each day (please note that you are responsible for your own lunch each day), sag wagon support, leadership, and the Christmas Trip T-shirt. Motels are usually available at your own expense. Please see
Alternate Accommodations for more info.
Cancellation Info
No need to worry about the weather canceling this trip because we go-SNOW, RAIN, OR SHINE!
Check our cancellation policy here.
Accommodations Before the Trip
Some of you may be coming in from out of town and will want to arrive the day before we start. You are welcome to make reservations for the HI - San Diego, Point Loma Elliott Hostel by calling (619) 223-4778 from 8:00 A.M. to 9:30 P.M. daily. Be sure to identify yourself as a Christmas Trip participant, when making reservations and checking-in as there will be a free shuttle to take you to the start point the morning of the ride.
Ride Customs
On this communal living trip, you will be expected to help with keeping the facilities clean and to help with meal preparation and clean up. The leader and staff are all volunteers. Each Tripper shall provide their own knife, fork, spoon, cup and glass for milk or juice. Styrofoam cups will not be provided. You are encouraged to use your tent. There will be space for freestanding tents each night except at Hemet. Everyone should have enough time to reach all overnight locations before it gets dark, which is early in the winter. The sag wagon will pick up all riders still on the road 1/2 hour before sundown to ensure everyone's safe arrival and to keep the trip leader's hair from turning gray. Smoking is not allowed in any overnight facility. Drinking alcoholic beverages in or near the overnight facility is prohibited. Use of any illegal drugs and gambling are also prohibited during the trip. Failure to follow these simple guidelines is just cause for expulsion from the trip and no refund.
Trip Leader
If you have any questions call the trip leader at 619-977-4693 or email him at
donvette63@cox.net. On December 26th, in the event of an emergency, call the trip leader's cell phone at 619-977-4693.
Happy Holidays and we thank you for joining the 51st Annual Christmas Ride!!
Until the morning of December 26th, keep riding.
Ride Schedule
December 26:
San Diego to Pine Valley, 50 miles. Pine Valley is a small mountain village.
December 27:
Pine Valley to Warner Springs, 55 miles. A great day of riding. Stop for apple pie in Julian!
December 28:
Warner Springs to Palm Desert, 100 miles. Great desert views & riding. Grab a date milkshake!
December 29:
Palm Desert to Hemet, 64 miles. Occasional head winds build character.
December 30:
Hemet to Fallbrook, 50 miles. A fantastic ride along oak tree shaded country roads.
December 31:
Fallbrook to San Diego, 55 miles. Soak up the sea air as you ride along the stunning San Diego Coastline.
Route Map
***WRITTEN DIRECTIONS AND MAPS OF THE ROUTE WILL BE GIVEN OUT UPON CHECK-IN ON DECEMBER 26TH***
What to Bring
Please make sure to bring the following:Please remember that this tour provides only basic accommodations and all of your gear will be transported by truck each day. See our suggested packing list here.
How to Register
Registration is openWe accept reservations on a first-come, first-served basis. Please give some thought to your interests and preferences. This trip is strenuous, be realistic about your physical condition and the trip's level of difficulty.
Eligibility
Our trips are open everyone. The only requirement is that persons registering are either already an HI member or pay the higher trip fee to become an HI member. Typically, a person under 18 years of age may join the trip only if accompanied by a parent or responsible adult and with the consent of the leader.
Confirmation/Approval
After we have received the required registration information as well as your payment we reserve a spot for you and mail you a registration packet. Registration packet will include: Itinerary, suggested packing list, medical info form, and Hold Harmless Agreement. Please remember to bring your filled out Hold Harmless Agreement to the first day of the ride. You will not be allowed to participate without this form. All trip reservations are subject to approval by the trip leader
Cancellations
Trips Cancelled or Changed by HI-USAOn rare occasions, we must cancel or change trips. If this occurs, HI-USA's responsibility is limited to a refund of any trip reservation money you've already paid. HI-USA is not responsible for airline tickets, other tickets or payments, or any similar penalties that you may incur as a result of any trip cancellations or changes.
Cancellation Policy
You must notify us directly if you need to cancel from a trip. You can contact the Event Coordinator weekdays between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. PST, at (619) 338-9981 or
tiffany@sandiegohostels.org.
The amount of your refund is determined by the date that you notify the Event Coordinator of your cancellation. Trip leaders have no authority to grant or promise refunds. The Cancellation Policy applies to all reservations, regardless of whether or not the leader has notified you of approval. The Event Coordinator regrets that she cannot make exceptions to the Cancellation Policy for any reason, including personal emergencies.
Refunds
All refunds are based on the $325 fee, as we are unable to refund a Hostelling International Membership.
Medical/Safety
Medical PrecautionsYou may be required to provide a physician's statement of your physical fitness. This trip is extremely strenuous, with one day of 100 miles. There are many long steep grades, hills and challenging roads. You should also check with a physician regarding immunization against tetanus.
Emergency Care
In the case of accident, illness, or a missing trip member, HI-USA—through its leaders—will attempt to provide appropriate first aid, and will try to arrange for search and evacuation assistance when the leader determines it is necessary or desirable. Please note that our leaders don't always carry communication devices (due to the remote nature of certain areas and lack of reception), and that emergency help or evacuation may be difficult to arrange. Costs of an evacuation or search (e.g., helicopter), and of medical care beyond basic first aid, are the financial responsibility of the ill or injured person. Backcountry medical aid is costly, and HI-USA does not provide this coverage for participants on any of its trips. Therefore, we advise you to obtain medical and evacuation insurance. You can usually purchase this as part of a travel insurance package.
Travel Insurance
In addition to medical and evacuation insurance, we advise trip members to purchase travel insurance to cover the costs of cancelled airfare and other associated trip expenses. Included in your HI membership is an annual basic travel insurance program, which provides essential coverage for your travel investment. This benefit extends to all Adult, Senior and Life membership categories. While there is a minimum age requirement of 18 years, there is no maximum age cut-off for this basic coverage within the HI-USA group plan. HostelCare Basic coverage includes:
IMPORTANT: To activate your HostelCare Basic travel insurance, you must register online. This will ensure that you are registered with the insurance provider and have a named beneficiary, in the event of a future claim.
You can upgrade your HostelCare Basic travel insurance plan to HostelCare PLUS , and you’ll receive the protection you need, no matter where you are in the world. Coverage for HostelCare PLUS includes:
For the things you can’t imagine when traveling, there’s HostelCare. Upgrade after registering to HostelCare PLUS today by calling our customer service department at 877-233-7028.
Dismissal from a Trip
At the leader's discretion, you may be asked to leave a trip if the leader feels that your further participation may be detrimental to you, the trip, or to other participants on the trip.
Your Responsibilities
In order to ensure your safety and that of others on the trip, you are responsible for the following: Providing accurate and complete personal information requested for approval; carefully reviewing all trip information provided, and understanding as thoroughly as possible the physical and mental demands of the trip, and possible risks; properly equipping yourself in accordance with recommendations of the leader and HI-USA; avoiding breaking any applicable laws, and refraining from antisocial conduct during the trip; following environmental guidelines and regulations in accordance with direction from the leader; and always respecting the rights and privacy of other trip members. Have a great time! Our main goal is providing you with a safe, enjoyable, and inspiring outdoor experience.
Safety Standards
Be a SAFE BICYCLIST as well as an ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY BICYCLIST! Obey all the rules of the road. Ride courteously. Follow a "carry in - carry out" policy. This includes inner tubes too. You could encounter extreme weather conditions, adverse road conditions, sand, potholes, snakes, and other hazards. SNELL and/or ANSI approved helmets are required on all HI-USA bicycle trips. No one will ride on the trip without an approved helmet.
Alternate Accommodations
Motels/Hotels and Inns are usually available-at your own expense. The trip participant is responsible for all alternative arrangements. Below is a list of available accommodations for each night of the trip. If you choose to stay in alternate accommodations please be sure to call or email the trip leader to let him know your specific plans so that there is no confusion during the ride.Day One-Pine Valley
Day Three-Palm Desert
Day Four-Hemet
Day Five-Fallbrook