Bike the Coast, Taste the Coast in Style

With Oceanside’s year-round sunshine, shimmering beaches, and longest wooden pier in the Western United States, no wonder it has been coined a “bicycler’s paradise.” As a bicycle award-winning city, it is the picture-perfect location for this year’s Bike the Coast, Taste the Coast expo starting at 7am Saturday November 5th for families, friends, and hardcore cyclists alike.

Imagine cruising up one of the most popular and pleasingly picturesque cycling routes in the country, touring the beaches and towns of North County along Hwy 101, through Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, and Del Mar to finish at Oceanside Pier for a free food and beer expo. Sports, sun, beaches, music, local cuisine, and beer — need I say more? Make that image a reality with this scenic experience fashioned for the whole family.

Whether a beginning bicycler or first-rate cyclist, this ride is fit for all, as participants can choose from multiple routes ranging from 7 to 100 miles. For beginners and kids, the 7 and 15-mile ride costs $35. The 25-mile beach tour is $45, the most popular 50-mile ride is $75, and for those looking to break a sweet sweat in the sun, the 100-mile ride is $95. If you will be bringing family and friends, the best value is $95, which is good for up to five riders for the 7 or 15-mile route.

After working up an appetite, you’ll load up on local cuisine, as food-tasting tickets are included in the price. With a wide variety of tasty treats from street tacos and BBQ, to kabobs, lobster, sandwiches and sushi, here you can let your taste buds dictate. Cool down with East Coast-style Italian ice cream, or heat up with churros for dessert.

Tickets also include support at the start and finish lines, throughout the course, and at aid stations. And if looking to sport the 2011 custom Bike the Coast cycling jersey, venture to the registration site to reserve this and other merchandise to be festively dressed the day of the ride.

Sponsored by the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a cyclist-friendly San Diego, this casual ride through Oceanside is not only fun for everyone, it supports the movement for a more eco-friendly lifestyle. Come ride or invite friends to meet you at the finish line, as non-riders receive free access to the food, music, beer garden, and sports expo. For more information, visit bikethecoast.com.

Want more? Check out our guide to the best San Diego bike trails

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