Santa Cruz Mountains Challenge

Updates on 2016 will start appearing in December.

Did you miss the Death Ride? Here is your chance to make up for it. We are known for our friendly volunteers, great support and well-stocked rest stops, including homemade baked goods. You will experience fabulous scenery and some of the most challenging climbs in the mountains of Santa Cruz. The event begins at the break of dawn, and ends with our famous burrito, salad, and ice cream meal. What a great day! 

Four rides offer distinct experiences: 135M and 13,000', 101M and 10,000', 75M and 6700' and 45M and 2900' of climbing 

All four rides will descend out of the UCSC campus on the Great Meadow Bike Path.

From the top of the path is a sweeping view of the entire Monterey Bay. As you leave campus, the 45-mile route will head up the coast, while the other routes will go through Santa Cruz on their way to the mountains. Thousands of visitors come each year to see what you will see -- magnificent redwoods, panoramic views, rugged coastline and world class surfing.

Replacing the climb on Jamison Creek this year will be Alba Road one of California's epic climbs, 3.8 miles of continuous ascent, with a fully-stocked rest stop near the top. This classic climb is known throughout the Western States, one of many amazing parts of the Santa Cruz Mountains Challenge.