Series of Cycling Events Covers Territorial Gamut

Today ROSARITO TO ENSENADA FUN RIDE

Some 15,000 cyclists are expected to travel the Libre Highway for 50 miles through the Mexican countryside. The ride begins at Rosarito Beach at 10 a.m. and runs along the coast for the first 20 miles, then turns inland and becomes hilly for several miles near the middle of the course, said Dave Dickson, organizer of the event. Preregistration is $18 ($20 on ride day) and includes a T-shirt, medical support, bottled water, portable toilets, one rest stop and a patch to all finishers.

Transportation across the border and back from Ensenada is being offered for $35 by the La Mesa YMCA. Call (619) 583-3001 for details about the ride and (619) 464-1323 about transportation.

Oct. 4 PIRU METRIC CENTURY

About 100 people are expected to ride a 100K loop, which begins at 9 a.m. in the library parking lot at Ventura College and passes through Santa Paula, Fillmore and Piru. According to Ride Coordinator John Avery, the route features gentle rolling terrain, and the riders may have to cycle into a head wind over the last 30 miles. Riders may register early or on ride day for $7. Lunch, “sag wagon” and one aid station included. A limited number of T-shirts are available for $5. Information: (805) 653-1100.

Oct. 4 LOMPOC ELKS’ RIDE FOR HANDICAPPED CHILDREN

More than 500 cyclists are expected to ride 25-, 36- and 50-mile loops through the Lompoc and Santa Ynez valleys to raise money to benefit handicapped children. The 25- and 36-mile rides will be mostly flat, while the 50-mile course has “a couple of killer hills,” said ride spokeswoman Judy Alverson. For an $11 entry fee ($21 for tandems) riders will receive a patch, mechanical support, several aid stations and a barbecue chicken dinner after the ride. All participants will start at 9 a.m. from the Elks Lodge, 905 E. Ocean Ave., Lompoc. Information: (805) 736-6593 on weekdays and (805) 736-6333 evenings and weekends.

Oct. 11 GOLDEN STATE GRAND PRIX CENTURY

About 2,000 cyclists are expected to turn out for the inaugural running of this ride through San Pedro, Palos Verdes, Long Beach, over the Vincent Thomas Bridge and ending with a lap on the Olympic Velodrome track, said Randy Ice, ride organizer. A 100K ride starts at 8:30 a.m.; a 50K ride starts at 10:30 a.m. Both loops start at the Olympic Velodrome at Cal State Dominguez Hills, 1000 E. Victoria Ave., Carson. The longer ride is hilly, while the shorter ride is flat, Ice said. Helmets are mandatory for the longer ride, strongly recommended for the shorter one. Preregistration is $21 until Oct. 4 and $26 afterward. The fee covers three rest stops, bike inspection and tickets to a track racing program at the velodrome. T-shirts are $10 and sold by early registration only.

Oct. 11 CYCLETHON ’87

Approximately 500 cyclists will choose between two courses that start from El Dorado East Regional Park, 7550 E. Spring St., Long Beach, for a ride to benefit the American Heart Assn. Beginning at 8:30 a.m. and continuing throughout the day, riders will travel either a 3.5-mile family loop through the park, or make a 50-mile round trip to Newport Beach, said Lisa Akerman, organizer of the ride. Registration is $5 (ride day only) and includes a bicycle safety check, refreshments, two aid stations and mechanical support. All riders collecting $25 in pledges receive a free T-shirt. Information: (213) 427-7473.

Oct. 18 McDONALD’S BIKE RIDE AGAINST DIABETES

About 3,000 riders will choose from more than 60 bicycle routes in California that range from two to 80 miles, said Tjiska Van Wyk, spokesperson for the event. Riders are expected to obtain pledges for each mile they ride to benefit the American Diabetes Assn. Each rider obtaining $50 in pledges will receive a prize. T-shirts are available for $10. Pledge sheets and details on the ride will be available at participating McDonald’s beginning Monday. Information: (213) 381-3639.

Oct. 18 PEOPLE-POWERED RIDE

About 450 riders are expected to turn out for mile and metric centuries through the back roads of the Solvang Hills. Both rides are hilly and should not be attempted by beginners, said ride coordinator Pete Nicklin. Early registration is $8 ($10 on ride day) and includes four food and drink stops, patch and “sag wagon.” T-shirts are available for $7. Check-in starts at 6 a.m. at Nojoqui County Park. Information: (805) 684-5942.

Oct. 24 MEXICALI TO SAN FELIPE RIDE

About 2,000 riders are expected to leave from the Mexicali Civic Center at 6:30 a.m. for a long, flat ride in the Mexican countryside, said Helen Manwaring, an organizer of the event.

The 100K option finishes at La Ventana, while the 200K riders finish in San Felipe. A $15 entry fee includes 11 aid stations, fruit, bottled water, mechanical and medical support and medals for all finishers. T-shirts are $8.50. Hotel or camping information: (619) 691-8465. Transportation information: (706) 557-2376. Ride information: (619) 275-1384.

Oct. 24 DESERT BICYCLE CLASSIC

About 3,000 riders are expected to participate in this ride through nine communities in the Coachella Valley. Maximum daytime temperatures are expected to be about 85 degrees, said Ice, ride organizer. Options are 100, 50 and 25 miles, with the loops leaving from the Indio Fairgrounds at 6:30, 8:30 and 9:30 a.m., respectively. Riders have the option to collect pledges for the American Heart Assn. Registration is $21 until Oct. 16, $26 afterward and includes lunch, mechanical and “sag” support, patch and entrance to the Cloverfield Water park after the ride. T-shirts are $8. Helmets are required for the two long rides, and recommended for the short one. Information: (213) 945-6366.

Nov. 15 GRAPE NUTS BIKE FESTIVAL

About 6,000 cyclists will leave from West Los Angeles College on a 28-mile loop through Westchester, Playa del Rey and Culver City. The course is flat and can be attempted by people with single- or three-speed bikes, said Ice, ride organizer. Early registration is $8; $10 on ride day. The fee covers a T-shirt, breakfast and an international food festival with live music at the finish. Information: (213) 945-6366.

Dec. 5 DEATH VALLEY BY MOONLIGHT

About 75 cyclists will ride 100 or 134 miles (a metric double century) by moonlight in Death Valley, said Duane Hickling, ride organizer. Once the riders climb over 3,288-foot Salsberry Pass, the ride is downhill or flat. After being bused from an as-yet-undetermined Los Angeles location, riders will begin at about 4 p.m. and continue all night. Temperatures are expected to be in the 40s or 50s and there may be some wind. Bicycles should have a good headlight. The $75 entry fee includes bus transportation, food and water stops each 35 miles, medical support and a “sag wagon.” Information: (213) 306-3239.