SDMBA Archipelago Ride

The Ride

April 1, 2023

2023 SDMBA Archipelago Ride - 15 Years Strong!

Get ready for the 15th edition of this southern California off-road classic! Get in the luau state of mind and start putting down miles to train for the SDMBA Archipelago Ride, our signature springtime event.

Why is it called the Archipelago Ride? Affectionately known as the “Arch Ride”, this adventure attempts to keep the dream of trail connectivity alive by linking the "islands" of open space together from La Costa Preserve and Elfin Forest in the north to Black Mountain Open Space Park and Penasquitos Canyon Preserve to the south for the full route. The Half Arch route begins at Sundevil Way at Black Mountain Open Space Park and continues up, over and around linking to Penasquitos and onto the Finish Line Luau. Either route is a guaranteed good time on two wheels, and the friends you’ll make along the way can last a lifetime!

The Full Arch is a point-to-point route is approximately 48 miles with over 5000 feet of climbing and is a serious endeavor. While the Half Arch, a "pint-sized" version of the classic Full Arch covering approximately 23 miles and over 2100 feet of elevation.

We are proud to have Gravity Heights return in 2023 as our host for the Finish Line Luau. Gravity Heights location offers ample parking for the epic parking lot Finish Line Luau held on top of the parking garage adjacent to the brewery & restaurant. When you roll in from the epic ride you will be greeted with fun, food, vendors, friends and amazing Gravity Heights brews! Families, friends and cheering squads are invited to join in the fun!

Join our Arch Ride 2023 Facebook group for updates, training, route tips, camaraderie and more.

Helping Local Conservation

We thank our conservation partners who help preserve and protect our open spaces while providing recreational trail access. Without these conservation partners, we would not have these places to ride. Proceeds from this event will further SDMBA's mission of improving trail access for mountain biking in San Diego and will benefit trail projects with the following partners:

San Dieguito River Park - Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve - Center for Natural Lands Management - The Escondido Creek Conservancy -The County of San Diego - The City of San Diego - The City of San Marcos

Full Arch Ride

Riders will meander their way from San Elijo Parkin San Marcos to the Finish Line Luau at Gravity Heights experiencing a variety of terrain through the open spaces of central San Diego County. The point-to-point route is approximately 48.1 miles with over 5000 feet of climbing and is a serious endeavor. Route will explore Rancho La Costa Preserve, Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve, Del Dios Highlands Preserve, San Dieguito River Park, Black Mountain Open Space Park, Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve and more. Participants must train for the Arch to be physically able to handle this extreme level of physical challenge. Start logging those miles now. Four fully stocked aid stations at approximately mile 10, 21, 27 and 37.

Check in 6:15 - 7:15 a.m. Start window 6:30 - 7:30 a.m. We highly encourage you to be conditioned enough to complete the course in a reasonable amount of time. Cut off times for Aid Station #3 is 3:30 p.m. and for Aid Station #4 is 4:30 p.m. If you arrive at these check points after this time and you choose to continue you will not have the support of our sweepers.

Electric Mountain Bikes are not permitted on the Full Arch ride.

Full Arch Route
on Ride with GPS
Routes Subject to change (updated 2022-12-03)

Half Arch Ride

A "pint-sized" version of the classic Full Arch covering approximately 23 miles and over 2100 feet of elevation gain starting at Sun Devil Way at Black Mountain Open Space Park, hitting up 2 fully stocked aid stations and on to the Finish Line Luau at Gravity Heights. following along the traditional Full Arch Route. Check in 8:15 -9:15 a.m. Start Window: 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.

This is still a challenging ride with plenty of climbing and rugged terrain; suitable for solid intermediate and advanced riders.

Electric MTB’s (class 1 and 2) are permitted on the Half Arch route.

Half Arch Route
on Ride with GPS
Routes Subject to change (updated 2022-12-03)

FAQ

Yes, Both routes are point-to-point. Transportation is the participant's responsibility. Plan transportation and carpools accordingly. Options include arranging a shuttle with friends and family or chat on the 2023 Arch Ride facebook group and find some shuttle buddies. Or park at the finish line venue early and ride to your starting point and ride back...yes…a few brave souls do this.

No. Take time to enjoy the scenery and the companionship of your fellow riders. Yield the trail to other trail users and make it a great day for everyone!

Registered participants will receive a detailed email on Thursday, March 30 with a route description and any updated map files. We do not widely publicize the finalized route ahead of time although much of it is rideable year round, weather permitting. The majority of both routes is similar to 2022 routes and will be flagged with tape. We have special permission on this day only to pass through certain sections of private property to complete this specific Archipelago route.

No.

There will be parking on the lower level of the parking structure just south of Gravity Heights. There is plentiful street parking as well.

Yes, you can leave cars parked at San Elijo Park (Full Arch) and on Sun Devil Way (Half Arch) for the day for later pick up.

yes.

The Full Arch route passes through many different trail jurisdictions some of which are for non-motorized transport only. This means that electric mountain bikes are not permitted for use on the Full Arch Ride. Electric mountain bikes are permitted on the Half Arch Ride.

Minors under 18 entered in the event must be accompanied by parent or legal guardian for their entire ride. No exceptions.

There will be porta-potties or restrooms at the start of the Full Arch, at the top of Elfin Forest [water also available there], by Hernandez Hideaway, at Aid Station #3 (Black Mtn. Ranch Park), at Sun Devil Way for Half Arch start, near Aid Station #4 at Elizabeth Rabbit Park, and at the Finish.

Extra water for refills, snack bars, other prepackaged snacks, fruit, assorted other hydration, etc. Riders should always plan on carrying enough extra nutrition and plenty of water from the start.

Yes

Join our facebook group - Arch Ride 2023

No Refunds for this event. SDMBA reserves the right to cancel or re-schedule an event in the event of inclement weather, emergency, or natural disaster. In the event of such a cancellation, there will be no refund of entry. SDMBA reserves the right to modify or cancel the course for safety concerns, trail condition concerns or natural disaster. Each athlete must accept any such risk of their entry fee paid. Entry fees collected are used to develop and produce the event, starting well in advance of the event date – including course preparation, supplies, permits and administration. We will make every effort to produce a safe event for all participants. Any decision we make that impacts the event date or potential cancellation is carefully considered and based on the overall event safety, sustainability and manageability.

If an athlete cannot participate for any reason, their registration may be transferred to another athlete provided this transfer request is made at least 14 days prior to the event. For any transfers, please contact archride@sdmba.com to update athlete information 14 days prior to the event. SDMBA is not responsible for transferring registration fee as this will have to be handled between the riders.

Yes. Contact archride@sdmba.com at least 14 days prior to the event.

Contact Karen at Volunteer@sdmba.com to get on the list. We have tasks ranging from check in, aid station support, flagging/deflagging, photographers, finish line venue support, and more.

If you are unable to attend, we will miss you! You can still make a tax-deductible donation to SDMBA to help make trails better in San Diego! DONATE HERE.

Be prepared to call family, a friend, or transportation service that accommodates bikes.

Our volunteer sweepers will have limited supplies for fixes along the trail and mechanical support is anticipated to be available at most aid stations. Riders are expected to come with bikes in good working order and to carry anything that might be needed in case of a mechanical.