Nearly 900 cyclists expected at Lighthouse Century in Morro Bay
Event will begin and end at Morro Bay High School
– The San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club will hold the Lighthouse Century Ride on Sept. 28 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. along Highway 1, stretching between Morro Bay and Piedras Blancas Lighthouse, north of San Simeon, and along Highway 46 to Vineyard Road.
The event features a new mixed gravel and paved route with 4,400 feet of climbing. This route covers Highway 1, Old Creek Road, Santa Rita Road, and Highway 46 before returning to Highway 1, offering a challenging ride for cyclists who want to incorporate gravel into their experience.
Cyclists who prefer a flatter course can choose from 40-, 65- to 75-mile routes on an out-and-back course along Highway 1. A more challenging 96-mile route includes a climb up Old Creek Road to Highway 46 before joining the other routes back to Highway 1. Riders can adjust their routes based on weather, distance, sights, or mood. The event will begin and end at Morro Bay High School.
Nearly 900 experienced cyclists are expected to participate, with five rest stops along the route. No roads will be closed, and two CHP units will patrol the routes to monitor both driver and cyclist behavior.
In the 2023 Lighthouse event, 74% of participants stayed in local communities for at least two nights, utilizing hotels, restaurants, and local attractions. Of these riders, 64% stayed in Morro Bay, with an additional 10% in Cayucos. Over 90% of riders said they would recommend the event to a friend.
This year, more than $50,000 in donations will be made to Bike SLO County, local school recreation programs, SLO County bike events, and bicycle safety programs. For more information, visit www.slobc.org/lighthouse.
