Additional Information
FEES
$350
* HI-USA will be splitting the online transaction fees with the participant
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.
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, 50 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.
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.
Refunds
All refunds are based on the $350 fee.
Cancellation Info
No need to worry about the weather canceling this trip because we go-SNOW, RAIN, OR SHINE!
If cancellation is made within 14 days of the date of the reservation: A full refund of $350 dollars will be issued. (This 14-day "Grace Period" is not applicable if the trip start date is within 30 days.)
If cancellation is made 30 or more days prior to trip start date: Refund will be $280.
If cancellation is made 29-14 days prior to trip start date: Refund will be $240.
If cancellation is made 0-13 days prior to trip start date: Refund will be $195.
No shows are not eligible for a refund.
Earn your own discount:
For youth, groups of 6 or more or for each new rider you refer you will recieve $50.00 off YOUR registration fee. (Limited to 6 new riders). *Referral discount check will be mailed to you after the ride.
What to Bring
Please make sure to bring the following:
Bring the Medical Form and Hold Harmless Agreement to the Check-in table on December 26th.
Bring an old T-shirt to go into the prize box as an award during the Award Banquet in Fallbrook. Everyone gets an award!
Equipment:
A bicycle in excellent mechanical condition. Road, mountain, touring, recumbent and tandems have been ridden on past trips.
Helmets are mandatory on this trip.
Seat Bag
Spare tubes, patch kit, tire irons,
Lock
Spoke wrench and extra spokes
Water bottle(s)
Brake and derailleur cables
Chain lubricant, chain breaker, 6” adjustable wrench
Allen wrenches
Small Phillips and flathead screwdrivers
Sleeping bag, small pillow, air mattress or foam pad.
Knife, fork, spoon, plastic tumbler and plastic hot cup
And all other necessary tools and supplies to keep your bike going for six days (HI will provide CO2 and bicycle pumps).
Clothes and Sundries:
**Please note: You will be riding in VERY COLD temperatures at times… please make sure that you pack accordingly!
Several changes of cycling and casual clothing. PLEASE NOTE: THERE ARE TENDANCIES OF VERY COLD WEATHER ON THIS TRIP. EVEN THOUGH IT’S SAN DIEGO… IT IS STILL DECEMBER AND WE DO TRAVEL THROUGH HIGH ALTITUDES. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE APPROPRIATE CLOTHING FOR HOT, MEDIUM, AND COLD CLIMATES!!!
Soft suitcase or duffel bag to carry your gear
Please remember that this tour provides only basic accommodations and all of your gear will be transported by truck each day. Please keep your bag to 45 pounds or less. Keep in mind that you and your fellow riders will be loading and unloading the truck each day.
Long and short cycling pants, wool tights
Long and short sleeved biking jersey
Cycling gloves, cold weather cycling gloves
Rainwear
SNELL and/or ANSI approved helmet
Jeans
Sweater or sweatshirt
Warm jacket and windbreaker, stocking cap
Tennis shoes and socks
Riding shoes
Riding shoe covers
Underwear
Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap and bath towel
Sun glasses, sunscreen, Chap Stick
Bathing suit (there will be a pool & Jacuzzi in Palm Desert)
Cell phone and charger (optional)
Money for lunches, snacks, souvenirs, emergency bike repairs
Ear plugs--there are some who snore!
Extra Items You Will Wish You Had:
Camera and film
Ear Plugs--the second notice!
Warmer clothes
Spare parts if your bike breaks down or you get a flat
A good idea:
County maps of San Diego, Imperial, Riverside and Orange
Counties
Alternate Accommodations
Motels/Hotels and Inns are usually available-AT YOUR OWN EXPENSE. The trip participant is responsible for all alternative arrangements. Please contact Andrea Carter at 619-338-9981 if you have questions.
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 some very challenging hills along the way, and hopefully you have been riding to get into shape. 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. 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.
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. Please note that the accommodations provided are modest so bring sleeping pads and sleeping bags or small cots to sleep on. Motels are usually available at your own expense.
Ride Schedule
December 26: San Diego to Pine Valley, 50 miles. Pine Valley is a small mountain town.
December 27: Pine Valley to Warner Springs, 50 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. 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. If you’d like the cue sheets ahead of time please email Andrea at acarter@sandiegohostels.org. .
Cancellations
Trips Cancelled or Changed by HI-USA On 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 acarter@sandiegohostels.org. The amount of your refund is determined by the date that you notify the Event Coordinator of your cancellation (see below). 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.
Accommodations Before or After the Trip
Some of you may be coming in from out of town and will want to arrive the day before we start or stay after the ride. 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 or the Downtown Gaslamp Hostel at (619) 525-1531. Be sure to identify yourself as a Christmas Bike 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.
Trip Rules and Rider Responsibilities
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 as this will allow for more/private space. 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. 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.
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 Regulations
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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.
