Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary Ride

 

We Are Sold Out! The response has been unbelievable!   We've got the largest group of riders ever and we're putting together a knock-your-socks-off event worthy of our 25th anniversary. If you didn't make it in, all is not lost.  Contact Mary Alsip (831-566-8930‬) to have your name added to the waitlist.  

 

The Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary Ride, celebrating its 25th anniversary year, is a fun fundraising event like no other.   Proceeds go to local organizations serving the youth in our community.   The Rotary Ride consists of a 3-day fully supported 200 mile ride culminating at a festive Finish Line Party featuring music, food, fun and friends.

Over the years we've raised more than $1,340,000 for local organizations!  Each year we choose a primary beneficiary or cause to receive the largest percentage of the ride proceeds.  

This year's Rotary Ride focuses on helping teens in our community get beyond the COVID pandemic.  We have formed a creative team that includes  Monarch Services, Rising Worldwide, DigitalNEST and the Santa Cruz County Office of Education.  The goal will be to teach leadership skills and engage our youth in community problem solving.

                                   

Read more about these organization and how our partnership will make a meaningful difference for our kids. 

In addition, the ride proceeds will continue to support other youth organizations in our community as well as the Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary club's Charities and Grants and High School Scholarship programs.

 

The Sunrise Rotary Ride, aka, Jon & Ken's Most Excellent Adventure

In 1997 Jon Sisk and Ken Whiting created a biking fundraiser that over the years has grown into our current 3-day adventure. Our ride begins in the heart of the wine country in Healdsburg and takes us through the beauty of the Russian River, Sonoma Coast, Bodega Bay, Tomales Bay, to San Francisco, over the Golden Gate Bridge and down the coast to Santa Cruz. No large riding experience is needed, only a love for our beautiful state and a desire to have some fun while supporting youth in our community. 

The ride is exceptionally well supported including all food, premier lodging, medical and sag. You can rest assured that you will be able to enjoy every bit of every day, while you do the ride that you want to do. The route incorporates rolling hills, some optional steeper hills, remote seaside riding and in-town riding. More seasoned riders can find great challenges each day, while entry level riders can build their experience and achieve their personal bests.

Day 1 – We take a bus from Santa Cruz to Healdsburg and set out just before lunch to ride 48 Miles to Bodega Bay. A fabulous lunch is served at Rick Hofstetter's estate on the Russian River.   Lodging is at Inn at the Tides in Bodega Bay.  A scrumptious spread of hand crafted hors d'oeuvres and beverages are served at cocktail hour around the hot tub followed by dinner at the Tides Wharf Restaurant. 

Day 2 – Get an early start (and a delicious breakfast served by our acclaimed team of road chefs)  for an 88 mile ride from Bodega Bay to Pacifica.  Lunch is served just after you cross the majestic Golden Gate Bridge.   We stay in Pacifica Friday night and eat at Nick’s restaurant.

Day 3 – 64 Miles from Pacifica to Santa Cruz, culminating in a finish line party at Santa Cruz County Bank (75 River St. Santa Cruz) where we join up with family and friends (all are invited) for food, drink, music raffles and auctions.    Guests are encouraged to arrive at the finish line party by 12:30pm.   Riders will gather on the Riverwalk adjacent to the Kaiser Permanente / Santa Cruz Warriors Arena at 12:45pm and triumphantly ride into the party at 1:00pm.  

And best of all, everything is included!

The ride brings together like-minded individuals committed to supporting our youth, and provides great opportunities for fun and networking. This event is a fundraiser with an all-volunteer crew.   100% of the proceeds go to the charities.  

The $500 registration fee covers all rider expenses including transportation to Healdsburg, 2 nights premier lodging, all meals, snack stops, happy hours, sag and medical support, a commemorative ride T-shirt and admittance to the Finish Line Party.   

Riders are required to fundraise an additional $1000 (minimum). 100% of which goes to our designated charities.   As part of the registration process, you will be guided through the creation of a personal fundraising web page that you can use to support your fundraising efforts. 

For tips on how to mount an easy and successful fundraising effort,  check out our guide Fundraising is as easy as 1, 2, 3 created by super Sunrise Rotary rider and fundraiser, Jeremy Lezin.

The Sunrise Rotary Ride is limited to only 100 participants and always sells out so sign up today!