The Rosarito Ensenada Bike Ride is held twice a year and runs along a breath taking stretch of the pacific coast, from Rosarito Beach to Ensenada. With roughly ten thousand participants per race it is one of the largest cycling events in the world. The Rosarito Ensenada Bike Ride is open to participants from around the world, of all ages. Competitors range from as young as nine to as old as seventy.

The race got its start in 1980 when a group of friends biked from one beach to the other and suddenly realized that they had biked a distance of fifty miles exactly. The Rosarito Ensenada Bike Ride has grown greatly in popularity since then. It is estimated that, to date, half a million people have completed the ride. Each year the ride brings approximately 6 million tourist dollars into the area, which is a great boost to the local economy.

Although the Rosarito Ensenada Bike Ride is a race, to most of the participants it is an opportunity to socialize, relax and exercise. The race is designed to be fun for the participants rather than taxing. Among other amusements, the race features a costume contest; the participant with the best costume wins a prize of $50. The Rosarito Ensenada Bike Ride traces a course from Rosarito beach, through rural countryside and ends 50 miles away at Ensenada.

One of the goals of event organizers is to promote cycling and to make the sport available to everyone. For this reason the Rosarito Ensenada Bike Ride organizers also collect donated bikes. You may help support this cause either by bringing a spare bicycle to the race or by donating the bike you ride in the race.

Originally the race was held only once a year; however, it has now grown so popular that the Rosarito Ensenada Bike Rides are held every April and September, to ease crowding. If you wish to register you can do so online at rosaritoensenada.com, by mail, or in person, at the event. The in person registration is held from 7 a.m. to shortly before 10 a.m. when the race commences. The entry cost per person ranges from $30-$35 depending on whether you register in advance or not. Many participants travel from the U.S. to become a part of the bike ride because the town of Rosarito is only 20 miles from the Californian border. As an added bonus no passport will be necessary to cross the Mexican border until 2007, but valid ID is necessary in order to cross the border.

One you have completed the race you will find yourself in the charming little town of Ensenada. This town is renowned for its beautiful beaches and countryside. Ensenada is also famed for its cantinas; the perfect place to celebrate the end of your Rosarito Ensenada Bike Ride experience. On the other hand, shuttle service services are available to bring you back to your car or Rosarito hotel, for only a small fee, if you don't feel like enjoying the local sites.