This 100k celebrates 2023 International Women's Day on March 8. Theme of this populaire is paying homage to the women who have established their legacies in San Diego for their efforts in making our beloved hometown "America's Finest City."
The ride starts on the southwest corner of Balboa Dr and El Prado, just west of the Laurel Street Bridge, by the Kate Sessions statue. Known as the "Mother of Balboa Park", her life's work created this horticultural paradise that also includes theaters and museum, all of which successive generations have come to relax, to explore and to love. You'll ride toward Mission Hills, the Presidio and Mission Bay to connect up to the Rose Creek and Rose Canyon bike paths to UCSD. Descending down the I-5 bike path, you'll ride through Carmel Valley and onto San Dieguito Rd. The first control is the Helen Woodward statue located by the entrance of the Helen Woodward Animal Center. Her life has been devoted animal welfare, resulting in her establishing the animal center which now bears her name. A little further down the road in the Village of Rancho Santa Fe, you'll reach the Lilian Rice statue located in North Village Park by The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. In 1920, she took on the assignment as the lead architect to design Rancho Santa Fe, which became one of the first master planned communities in California. "True beauty lies in simplicity" was her inspiration in bringing the Spanish Revival architecture to this exclusive community.
Turning toward the Pacific Ocean on Linea Del Cielo along the undulating ridgeline, you'll arrive in Solana Beach. There is the Lofty Coffee Cafe control where you may stop for some refreshments. Making your way up Torrey Pines, you'll descend down La Jolla Shores into downtown La Jolla to reach the Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial next to the La Jolla Recreation Center. Many cherished cultural and educational institutions in San Diego are the results of her charitable work and contributions, demonstrating that "The most important and beautiful gift one human being can give to another is, in some way, to make life a little better to live." From La Jolla, you'll continue through Pacific Beach and Mission Beach to climb up Presidio Hill. Your return will be from the east of Balboa Park, riding on El Prado, passing the California Tower and crossing the Laurel St Bridge to the finish by the Kate Sessions statue.
Weather permitting, San Diego Randonneurs will host a picnic for all finishers by providing food and beverages we may legally serve in the park.
If you are joining us for the first time, you will need:
ALL SAN DIEGO RANDONNEURS EVENTS ARE ONLY OPEN TO PARTICIPANTS WHOSE RUSA MEMBERSHIP IS CURRENT.
You will need to register for this ride in advance. There is no day-of registration. Start/Finish will be staffed. SAG support and staffing at a control along the route will depend on volunteers available for this event.
All riders must follow RUSA rules. For events that will start and/or finish in the dark, helmet, lights and reflective gear are a must (lights and reflective gear must be worn between dusk to dawn). Riders must follow all local traffic laws and regulations.
Although bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists and are subject to the same rules and regulations, it is crucial that bicyclists pay attention to traffic signs and signals and follow all rules to reduce the risk of collisions, while on the road. Refer to the California Driver Handbook to become familiar with these rules. This excerpt is found at the DMV website for Sharing the Road (FFDL37) and can be read here.