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.

Refunds

  • 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 $260.
  • If cancellation is made 29-14 days prior to trip start date: Refund will be $220.
  • If cancellation is made 0-13 days prior to trip start date: Refund will be $150.
  • No-shows are not eligible for a refund.

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 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.

Alternate Accommodations

Motels/Hotels and Inns are usually available - AT YOUR OWN EXPENSE. The trip participant is responsible for all alternative arrangements.

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 guidelines is just cause for expulsion from the trip and no refund.

Trip Leader

If you have any questions call the trip leader Linda Webb at (619) 806-1284 or email her at lwebb20@cox.net. On December 26th, in the event of an emergency, call the trip leader's cell phone at (619) 806-1284.

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.

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.

Medical Precautions

You 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. 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. For HI members, details on the included travel insurance are available on the HI-USA website.

What to Bring

Please make sure to bring the following:

  • The Medical Form and Hold Harmless Agreement to the Check-in table on December 26th.
  • 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)
  • County maps of San Diego, Imperial, Riverside and Orange Counties

Clothes and Sundries

  • Several changes of cycling and casual clothing
  • Soft suitcase or duffel bag to carry your gear
  • 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 and hot tub in Palm Desert)
  • Cell phone and charger (optional)
  • Money for lunches, snacks, souvenirs, emergency bike repairs
  • Ear plugs - there are some who snore!

Please note: You will be riding in VERY COLD temperatures at times… please make sure that you pack accordingly! 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!!! 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.

Extra Items You Will Wish You Had

  • Camera
  • Ear plugs - the second notice!
  • Warmer clothes
  • Spare parts if your bike breaks down or you get a flat