deCycles Pacific Coast 2024

deCycles Pacific Coast 2024 Invitation June 18 - July 11

SEATTLE TO LOS ANGELES and the Pacific Coast. 31st annual summer bicycle trip sponsored by Bloomington-based deCycles
You are invited to a summer of FUN, ADVENTURE, THRILLS, FRIENDS, & FITNESS! Riding a bicycle from Seattle to Los Angeles and the Pacific coastline will be the coolest thing you ever do. Wow, what an achievement! The deCycles have done a similar route in the past and was a very popular route. The Pacific Coast Highway is the most scenic road in the world and a cyclist’s dream. This is your chance for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Forward this invitation to your friends & relatives. All they need is a bike, helmet, and a desire for doing something really different.

The trip will begin in the Seattle area under the shadows of Mt. Rainier and Mt. St. Helens. Viewing the 1980 blast zone of this huge volcano is a sight rarely seen. From there the student and adult cyclists will follow the mighty Columbia River to the Pacific Coast of Oregon. This begins the longest stretch of oceanside cycling ever on a deCycles trip. The beautiful white-capped blue ocean will be on your right, mountains on the left, and a twisting, turning beautiful highway that traverses hundreds of bridges & tunnels all the way to Southern California. You will see rainbows beginning and ending in the Pacific horizon. There will be prevailing tailwinds which makes cycling this route much easier. Many rest stops & lunches will be at public beaches. You will hike along Crater Lake in Oregon … the deepest alpine lake in the world. A dune buggy ride on the Oregon sand dunes will be unforgettable.

As the deCycles head further south into upstate California, they will pedal through the Redwood Forest National Park and Avenue of the Giants. These are the tallest and largest trees in the world. Zipping through that dense forest is like being on a magical movie set. Next up will be charming wine country north of San Francisco. There will be a rest day with a city tour of San Francisco on July 4, so be ready to attend one of the largest fireworks shows you’ll ever see. Just south of the city will be a ride around the 17-mile drive at Pebble Beach, Monterey, and the highly-rated charming town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. WOW!

The final week will be the most scenic & thrilling part of the trip. Big Sur coastline, exciting hairpin turns, bridges, tunnels, and countless overlooks from the cliffs of the highway. There is no better way to see this than on a bicycle. There are so many highlights too numerous to list here. Further south to Santa Barbara will be herds of seals and manatees along the shoreline. You will visit the oldest Spanish mission in Santa Barbara and a couple days later will end the trip riding past Malibu, Santa Monica, Hollywood, and Los Angeles. You won’t want to miss this.

The Details

Dates: June 18 - July 11

Transportation: Once registered, you will be notified of transportation options and recommended flights to Seattle and from Los Angeles. We’ll try to get everyone on the same flight.

Requirements: Student riders age 13-22. Beginners welcome and no previous experience necessary. All levels of cycling ability are welcome. Don’t worry if you are 13-14. Hundreds of early teen riders have successfully completed trips in the past 30-years. Talk to any deCycles veteran and they know you can do it and will encourage you to sign up.

Adult riders: Any age. The oldest adult-rider in deCycles history was 80. The youngest student-riders have been 12 turning 13. Most riders are middle school, high school, and college students.

Equipment: Late model multi-speed road bike, helmet, 2-waterbottles, cycling apparel. We can help you find a bike if you don’t have one. See other pages on this website for equipment requirements.

Training: Upon acceptance of your registration, you will be notified of training requirements. Minimum 500-miles training beginning in April.

Cost: Less than $19/day including meals, overnight accommodations, luggage transfer, a riding jersey, light mechanical & repairs, and road support. The deCycles trip fee is extremely affordable. There is no other summer camp or trip less expensive than this anywhere in the world. For example, Backroads Vacation bicycle trips are usually $700-800/day. Most 1-week summer camps are triple the cost of this 3-week deCycles trip. This is your best value in adventure travel and is an experience of a lifetime.

Scholarship promotion: A $200 airfare scholarship will be offered for the first 15 full-time students age 13-22 who sign up and register.

Optional Excursions: Oregon Dunes Buggy Ride, Hearst Castle. The cost of any optional excursions is the rider’s responsibility. The deCycles will hold fundraising events and car washes for riders to earn money to pay for these excursions. Many riders have launched GoFundMe donation requests to pay for their trip and equipment. If you really want to go, there are many ways to obtain donations.

Registration

Bike Trip Fee

$450: One full payment with registration.

- OR -

$600: Two-step payment plan. Minimum $250 deposit with registration. $350 balance due April 16, 2024.

$200: Add to above fee if you are not a full time student or adults & students 22-years and over.

-- No trip fee or ground transportation costs for adult support van drivers --

Transportation Options

____I will purchase my own one-way flights to Seattle and from Los Angeles. Recommended flights will be announced.

- OR -

____$120.00 deCycles one-way Ground Transportation: 3-day roadtrip to/from west coast (departing June 15 & July 12 at 8:00am).

-- No trip fee or ground transportation costs for adult support van drivers --

Student Airfair Scholarship (expires March 1, 2024)

- First 15-student applicants (1-15) accepted before 03/01/2024 will receive an airfare voucher: $200 rookies, $100 veterans.

- Student applicants must be 13-22 and currently enrolled full time in MS, HS, or college to qualify for airfare scholarship.

- Student & adult applicants not qualifying for airfare promotion can contact deCycles for other airfare options.

- Trip fee must be paid in full on or before April 16, 2024 to qualify for airfare scholarship.

- When application and trip fee is received & accepted, you will be notified regarding your student airfare scholarship status.

- Students awarded airfare scholarship must refund the voucher amount if not finishing the trip for any reason.

- If you prefer 3-day ground transportation to & from Indiana, select ground transportation option above.

- Ground transportation payments are due in full on or before June 1, 2024.

Basic Bike Trip

… Includes …

Overnight accommodations, most meals, food breaks, transport of luggage & bike, laundry, sag support,
deCycles jersey or T-shirt, road tolls, and minor repairs.

… Excludes …

Road bike & parts, riding attire, health and accident insurance, any medical expenses, sightseeing & personal expenses.

… Contact …

For questions regarding this invitation to a very affordable summer adventure,
please contact us at normhouze@comcast.net or 812-824-4567.

Highlights