CCE
Cyclists for Cultural Exchange
California
18 May - 1 June 2024
Join us on this spectacularly scenic tour through selected regions of the Golden State, including Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Francisco
California 2024
The CCE traditional Spring program invites people from around the world to experience the beauty of the Pacific Coast, visit the legendary sites of San Francisco, make new friends along the way, stay in Santa Cruz, a hub and headquarters of CCE, help to raise funds for future bicycling adventures anywhere on this planet.
Dates
18 May - 1 June 2024.
Application deadline
1 April 2024
Cost
Covered by CCE. Participants will pay for transportation costs to and from San Francisco or San Jose (flights) and will need money for incidentals like eating out, shopping or drinks.
Requirements
You need to be in good health and physical fitness. You must know how to ride a bicycle and be able to pedal up to 60 km a day. Participants will be required to do volunteer work for Strawberry Fields Forever FUNdraiser for our exchange programs and also to work during the program in the kitchen, loading, setting up, and everything needed to make the trip successful. You will be part of a group and expected to treat your team members with kindness and respect. You will be asked to share your culinary skills and any other cultural aspects of your background. You will be expected to participate in all group activities, such as cooking, sightseeing, meetings.
Lodging
Indoor hostels and a homestay while in Santa Cruz (no camping this year).
Group size
Up to 15 participants, including hosts.
Bikes
We borrow loaner bikes for participants; they are not new and may not be exactly what you are familiar with. We try to find everyone a bike they are happy with. You are welcome to bring your own bike if you wish.
Start and finish
Santa Cruz/Watsonville, California.
Weather
On the coast is common to have cool, foggy, drizzle in the mornings with sun in the afternoons. Lows average 10–12°C and highs average 16–18°C. Any weather is possible.
Daily Schedule
The detailed itinerary will be added as the program develops.
This is not a bike tour for beginners!
It will be a hard ride. Ride days will be up to 80 kilometers and 900 meters of climbing at an average pace of at least 16 km/h. After riding, you will be expected to help set up, cook, clean up, etc. To be accepted, you must have been on a bicycle tour before and ridden 80 km a day for several days in a row. In the past, we have had participants who claimed to be able to do the ride but could not. Please do not apply if this is not for you! You will be unhappy, and so will we.