Beach Babe Bicycling Classic
Sunday, July 15, 2013 - Please Note Date Change
Long Beach, CA
Participant Info
Welcome!
You are about to become transformed from a car-loving, job-working, laptop-toting superwoman to a calm, joy-lovin, hippified Beach Babe. Congratulations! This may be the best thing you do all year. Slow down and enjoy the cruise, ok? We do this because we luv you.
Registration Pick-up
It all starts with the Beach Babe packet pick up at Hotel Maya lobby area Saturday July 14, 3:00-5:00pm. Pick up registration materials and join the other riders for a get aquainted appetizer and drinks special at Hotel Maya, 700 Queensway, Long Beach. Registration materials can also be picked up on ride day Sunday, July 14, 7:00-7:45am at Marina Green Park (Shoreline Drive & Linden). Please plan to attend registration pick-up on Saturday so we can all be ready to ride on Sunday and volunteers don't get swamped with frantic Beach Babes!
Ride Day - Sunday, July 15 - 8:00am
Event parking is located near Long Beach Aquarium or The Pike (Shoreline & Queensway/Chestnut Ave.) just 1/4 mile from the ride start. The more adventurous will leave their car at home and use Metro Blue Line and take the train to the end of the line in Long Beach. (Bravo, beach babes!).
Late registration pick-up begins Sunday, 7:00-7:45am at "Check-In" booth at Marina Green Park (Shoreline Drive & Linden Avenue). No day of registration. If not sold out, riders may register in person on Saturday during registration pick-up at Hotel Maya.
Photo ID required for check-in.You will receive a wristband and special identifier which will get you on the course, rest stops, and into the Beach Babe Party at the finish.
No ride-alongs without registration.Wristband will be checked to enter Rest Stops for refreshments, lunch, and ride support. Please respect others and be registered.
If picking up registration materials for someone else (kids excluded) bring a signed copy of their registration confirmation with you as proof for pick-up.
Fees: No refunds or credits. Ride Rain or Shine. Tandem riders register for two people.
Riders 18 and under must have a parent or guardian sign a release form. Helmets are mandatory. Carry a spare tube, patch kit, tire pump, cell phone, and identification on your ride.
Please cycle within your limits for safety. Tech support provided. For medical emergencies call 911.
Optional Aqualink Express Water Taxi to carry you and your bike is available at Alamitos Bay Landing. $5 to taxi back near Hotel Maya. This will take approximately 9 miles off the end of the course.
If unable to participate, you may donate your entry to the Virtual Rider Program to help someone in need (via our charity partners). Or, you may Transfer your registration with $10 processing fee. To transfer registration to another person, you must find the person who wishes to purchase your registration. New participant will pay a $10 transfer fee to event management for processing. Bring signed printout of registration confirmation and $10 fee to rider check in. Sorry, no refunds. All participants are required to sign of a waiver of liability.
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Beach Babe Event Schedule
7:00 AM Gates Open,
7:30 Welcome Activities begin
8:00 AM Riders Depart
8:25 Vendor Set-up
8:30 AM Rest Stop #1 Open
9:30 AM Rest Stop #2 Open
10:30 AM Finish Area Opens
11:00 Reception Party Opens
12:30 Final Course Sweep
1:00PM Course Closes
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Course Description
The Beach Babe Bicycling Classic begins at Marina Green, Shoreline Village, with a single-file red carpet-style start -- right on the wide, two-laned beach bike trail. You will feel an immediate sense of exhilation as you cruise along the sandy shore with your girlfriends along side on your favorite, cute, BIKE! The course is mostly flat and takes you through some of the most beautiful coastal seaside neighborhoods in the world. It's an insiders tour, for sure - and you will want to join us each year as the Beach Babe Classic grows to becomes the largest recreational cycling event for women in the country.
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Route Description
The route is essentially “out and back” and winds along the beach from Long Beach, through the Peninsula, through Naples, to Seal Beach, Sunset Beach, and then Huntington Beach. The bike trail has a shoulder for walking and jogging. If you need to stop, pull over and completely off the paved trail. A short portion of the course is on Pacific Coast Highway in painted bike lanes. Vehicular traffic can be moderate during this stretch, so remember the laws for cars and bicycles are the same under California law.
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Rest Stops Hours of Operations
Please plan your ride within your abilities and leave sufficient time to reach the rest stops during hours of operation.
Rest Stop #1Eisenhower Park, Seal Beach. Open: 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM
Rest Stop #2 Zack's Huntington Beach. Open 9:30 AM to 11:00 PM
Finish Line Party: 11:00-1:00PM
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Rules of the Road:
We are guests of the area. This ride takes place on the scenic Beach Bike trails and Pacific Coast Highway. Each litter bit will show up against this beautiful backdrop. Drop nothing, even if it is biodegradable. Riders must stop at all stop signs, ride single file, and obey the rules of the road. Pull completely off the blacktop if you need to stop. And remember your cycling etiquette (listed below).
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Directions to Beach Babe Start/Finish Area
Marina Green, E. Shoreline Drive & Linden
Long Beach, CA
From Los Angeles Area:
Take I-5 to 710 toward Long Beach
Exit Shoreline Drive
Consider Parking at Aquatic Center or the Pike.
Ride bike to start at E. Shoreline Drive & Linden
Turn R on Linden and line up in parking lot near grass.
(All first timers get lost, so relax, you'll get there!)
From Orange County Area:
Take 405 N to 710 toward Long Beach
Exit Shoreline Drive
Consider Parking at Aquatic Center or the Pike.
Ride bike to start at E. Shoreline Drive & Linden
Turn R on Linden and line up in parking lot near grass.
(All first timers get lost, so relax, you'll get there!)
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Dining and Lodging — Welcome to Long Beach!
Hotel Maya - Host Hotel (Ask for Beach Babe Discount Code)
700 Queens Way Drive, Long Beach
1-562-435-7676 Hotel Maya
Avia
285 Bay Street, Long Beach CA 90802
1-562-436-1047 AVIA Long Beach
Hilton Long Beach
701 West Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90831
1-562-983-3400 Hilton Long Beach
For additional travel information, see www.visitlongbeach.com
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Cycling Etiquette 101
No helmet = NO RIDE (gloves are also a good idea) At all times keep to the right and obey all traffic rules.
For those taking part in their first cycle program or are new to group training, these points will help you avoid falls and gain the confidence of others around you.
Be predictable with all your actions.
Maintain a steady straight line and avoid braking or changing direction suddenly. Remember that there are riders following you closely from behind. To slow down, gradually apply your brakes and say "slowing." If you are in a paceline, move out to the LEFT into the wind and fall back into your position at the back of the pack. If not in a paceline, simply pull off the road to your right.
Point out and call out any road hazards ahead. These include potholes, drain grates, stray animals, opening car doors, sticks or stones, parked cars, etc. There are also hand signals for this.
- left arm straight out to signal a left turn
- right arm straight out for a right turn
- palm or fist behind your lower back to signal slowing or stopping
- shake hand side to side in the direction of sand, glass or any other road hazard
Do not overlap wheels. A slight direction change or gust of wind could easily cause you to touch wheels with another cyclist and fall. Advanced riders pedal down hill when at the front of the bunch. Experienced cyclists dislike having to ride under brakes (the riders following the leader benefit from her draft, thereby having to pedal less and brake more).
Stay to the right when in front to allow room for others to pass safely on your left, particularly in traffic. Pass other riders on the left hand side whenever possible.
Be smooth with your turns at the front of the group. Avoid surges unless trying to break from the bunch. A group will travel quicker when turns are completed smoothly.
Avoid leaving gaps when following wheels closely (drafting). Cyclists save about 30% of their energy at high speed by drafting another rider Each time you leave a gap (more than 10 inches) you are forcing yourself to ride without the benefit of a draft, and under your own power to bridge the gap. Also, riders behind you will become annoyed and ride around you, especially if the bunch is working together to break away or catch a breakaway group in a race.
When climbing hills, avoid following a wheel too closely. Many riders often lose their momentum when rising out of the saddle on a hill which can cause a sudden deceleration. This can often catch a rider who is following too closely, resulting in a fall from a wheel touch.
Do not panic if you brush shoulders, hands or bars with another rider. Try to stay relaxed in your upper body to absorb any bumps. This is a part of cycle racing in close bunches and is quite safe provided riders do not panic, brake or change direction. Real cycling is a contact sport! There are a lot more minor points that could be mentioned here as becoming a proficient bunch rider takes time and experience to achieve. The most important point however is to be aware of others around you and respect other riders, your actions will have a direct response on theirs.
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Frequent Commands
Slowing - When someone yells out "Slowing", this means that there is something that is causing the pack to slow down. This can be anything from a light, a slower pack of bikes, a car up ahead. In any event, prepare to slow down. Tap you brakes and repeat the yell "Slowing". This is to indicate to others that you've heard them and you are also slowing. This will also alert those behind you that you are slowing down.
Stopping - When someone yells out "Stopping", this means that there is something that is causing the pack to stop. This can be anything from a light, a slower pack of bikes, a stop sign or a car up ahead. In any event, prepare to stop. Tap you brakes and repeat the yell "Stopping". This is to indicate to others that you've heard them and you are also slowing to a stop. This will also alert those behind you that you are slowing to a stop. It's VERY important not to slam on your brakes especially if there are others behind you!
Hold your line - When someone yells, "Hold your line", this means that you need to stay in a straight line as best you can. In most cases, the person yelling this out to you is attempting to pass or warn you your riding is not steady and predictable. If you swing out or if you don't keep your bike steady, you could cause the other bicyclist trouble or injury.
On your Left - When someone yells, "On your Left", this means that they are passing you on your left. No need to take this personally. Let them pass as they have the right of way. You should never hear "On your Right". That is, a bicycler should never pass on the right. However, there are many bicyclers with varying experience. Be on the look out for those that will pass on your right. If someone does this, kindly remind him or her that they should pass on the left. Also, it is common courtesy to say "Thank You" to the person yelling "on your left". This indicates to them that you've heard them.
Car Up - When someone yells, "Car Up", this means that there is a car up front. It is intended to be a verbal caution indicating that a stop may be necessary. If you hear this, repeat the call so that others know that you are aware of the vehicle up front. It is also common courtesy to repeat this so that others behind you also know about the car.
Car Back - When someone yells, "Car Back", this means that there is a car back behind you. It is intended to be a verbal caution indicating that a stop may be necessary. If you hear this, repeat the call so that others know that you are aware of the vehicle is behind you. It is also common courtesy to repeat this so that others in front of you also know about the car.
Bike Up - When someone yells, "Bike Up", this means that there is a bike up in front of you, either coming toward you (as on a bike trail) or riding at a slower pace. It is intended to be a verbal caution indicating that you may need to pass the cyclist or a stop may be necessary. If you hear this, repeat the call so that others know that you are aware of the bike up front. It is also common courtesy to repeat this so that others behind you also know about the bike.
Bike Back - When someone yells, "Bike Back", this means that there is a bicylist behind you. It is intended to be a verbal caution indicating that a bike may attempt to pass you or a stop may be necessary. If you hear this, repeat the call so that others know that you are aware of the bike behind you. It is common courtesy to repeat this so that others in front of you also know about the bike.
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