Skip to Content

San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club

Facebook Logo   Instagram Logo

riders early morning start
Photographer: Chris Manning

lighthouse Logo

2024 Lighthouse Century

Date: September 28, 2024
Location: Morro Bay, California

The San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club invites you to join us at our 53rd annual Lighthouse Century. We offer relatively flat routes along Highway 1 with scenic ocean vistas. Our challenging Century route travels east toward Paso Robles before returning to Highway 1. Experience beautiful coastal cycling and cool ocean breezes. The event is limited to 1000 riders so register early to ensure your place in this classic ride.

The SLOBC’s Wildflower and Lighthouse Century bike rides are traditional club events. They are opportunities for individuals and groups to gather together for the enjoyment of a shared day of riding. They are not races, they are not timed and do not provide for any individual rider recognition.

Our rides are club financed, planned and staffed. We partner with community groups and organizations that we in turn help support through donations. We have chosen to be independent and do not have sponsors so we can maintain full control over our events.

Beyond the century rides, we support bicycle events, programs and groups and advocate for cycling throughout SLO County. Our goal is to enhance bicycle opportunities in our communities.

 

What's New

  • Event Photos: Riders can download their event photos by Captivating Sports Photos for FREE after the event.
  • Century Route: Our classic century route climbs up Old Creek Road to Hghway 46 and east to a rest stop at the Donati Winery before returning to the coast. This is a challenging route for strong experienced riders.
  • Relatively Flat Routes: The Metric Century and 75 mile routes along Highway 1 are well suited to beginning riders and those that want to focus on riding along the coast.

Bike riders along coast.
Photographer: Chris Manning

 

Lighthouse Routes

The RWGPS files provide both plan and profile views of each route. Once opened, if you move your cursor along the profile, it will show the mileage, elevation and % grade at that point.
Note: Our RWGPS routes include access to files, that when sent to a Garmin or similiar devise, can provide turn-by-turn navigation. Or, if you have a paid RWGPS account, opening our routes in the RWGPS app on your phone can provide turn-by-turn navigation.
Note: Ascent numbers shown in the chart below in parenthesis (e.g., 5300 ft.) are based on feedback form past riders and provide the best estimate.

2023 Routes RWGPS Cue Sheet
Century (95 mi, 5300 ft.) 100 Mi 100 Mi
75 Mile (75 mi, 2300 ft.) 75 Mi 75 Mi
Metric Century (64 mi, 1900 ft.) 100 Km 100 Km

Download a Lighthouse Information (pdf) sheet that provides an overview of the ride and the roads being used.

A Brief Description

The Metric Century and 75 mile routes follow historic Highway 1 from Morro Bay north through Cambria and San Simeon. Given the out and back nature of these routes, you can adjust the length of your ride to suit the day, weather and your enjoyment – there is always the option to turn around.

The Century route climbs up Old Creek and then turns east on Highway 46 to Donati Winery before returning west on Highway 46 to join Highway 1. The route has over 3000 feet of climbing in the first 28 miles followed by a long, fast and exposed descent. Once on Highway 1, the Century heads north with the other routes.

Note: Both the 75 and 100 mile routes pass by the Elephant Seals and Piedras Blancas Lighthouse before turning around at La Cruz Rock rest stop.

Happy Bike riders along coast.
Photographer: Chris Manning

 

Lighthouse Highlights

  • Beautiful views of the ocean and coastal hills
  • E-Bikes without throttles are welcome. Refer to E-Bike Rules & Information
  • Digital Maps & Cue Sheets
  • Rest Stops well stocked with good food
  • Robust SAG support
  • Bike Mechanic at Start and Rest Stops
  • Enthusiastic and friendly volunteers
  • Post-Ride Meal for all registered riders including:
    • Choice of omnivore or vegetarian meal
    • Dessert and drinks included
  • Post-Ride Meal tickets available at the meal for non-riders
  • Your registration fee supports our Donations to Bike SLO County, other local cycling organizations and programs as well as the communities and groups that support our rides.
  • Order custom Short Sleeve, Sleeveless and Long Sleeve Jerseys and Wind Vests in your size during early registration. Ordered items will be mailed to you before the event. Jerseys are made locally by Voler: Why American Made Matters.

Images of Lighthouse jersey design

  • Purchase custom Short Sleeve Jerseys and T-Shirts during Check-In while supplies last.
  • Short Sleeve Jerseys and T-Shirts from past events will be on sale during check-in.
  • Follow us on Instagram and use #lighthousecentury and #slobc to see images from other riders and share your posts.
  • Riders can download their event photos by Captivating Sports Photos for FREE after the event.

 

Lighthouse Safety

  • Approved helmets are required to be worn by all riders. NO HELMET, NO RIDE!
  • All minors must be accompanied by an adult
  • All riders are expected to follow Safe Cycling Best Practices
  • Rear-view mirrors to monitor overtaking vehicles and cyclists are encouraged. (California law requires that cyclists move right as practicable to allow vehicles to pass.)
  • Use the wide shoulders available on most roads
  • Portable audio devices using ear pieces are discouraged. (California law mandates that ear pieces be used in only one ear.)

group picture at Cypress Tree rest stop with lighthouse in distance.
Photographer: Chris Manning

 

Partners

These organizations and businesses partner with us to provide Volunteers, Places and Food, Supplies & Services to support the safety and enjoyment of our riders.

Volunteers: Great Volunteers are Critical

Cal Poly Cycling Logo

cccmb logo

bike slo county logo

Estero Radio Club Logo

CPARC Logo

Lions Club of Cambria

Wally's Bicycle Works logo

REI logo

Foothill Cyclery logo

Arts Cyclery logo

Places: Rest Stop Locations

Morro Bay High School Logo

Donati Family Vineyard Logo

Lions Club of Cambria

Food, Supplies & Services

Fluid Logo

Yes Logo

Cider Creek logo

House of Bread logo

Edna's Bakery logo

house of bagles logo

USA Cycling logo

Marborg logo

Voler logo

Foothill Cyclery logo

Captivating Sports Photos logo