Swami's Cycling Club: Guru News

December 2025

President's Corner

First things first. For Swami's members, the 2026 kit window is currently open, so get your orders in now. Not a member? Join here. Reminder, it’s only during these windows that it’s possible to order Swami’s kit. Don’t miss out!

We also hope Swami's members can join us for our holiday party on the 7th, so make sure to register! I look forward to seeing you all there.

It was great seeing so many members at the Swamdo, even given the bit of rain along the route. Of course, thanks, as always, to all the volunteers that made it possible. Without them, it wouldn’t have happened. I’d also like to thank Skratch for their generous donation, keeping our bottles full of nutritious hydration.

Mark Steele

Swamis 2026 kit window is extended!

So that everyone who wants the 2026 Swami's kit has a chance to order, we've extended the ordering window to Sunday, December 7, 11:59 PM.

This is your chance to get a top quality Eliel kit as yet another great benefit for Swami's members. For 2026, we have choices to suit all needs, including the hot weather Diablo, race-ready El Capitan, sturdy Solana, and warm Marin T1, plus matching outerwear and accessories.

Swami's members order your kit here!

12/6 Cabrillo Ride

After all of the Swamdo training rides going north, this month we’ll be visiting some points south that we’ve missed for a while. We’ll start on Saturday, December 6 with a ride to Cabrillo National Monument. Once there, you can ride down to the tidepools and then back up, or stay around the gift shop and take in the views. If you have an annual Cabrillo pass, bring it along - it will provide admission for you and 3 other cyclists. There are usually enough passes to cover everyone, but in the unlikely event you need one, a 1-day cyclist pass is $10 at the gate.

Route: 66 mi/2648’ https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44164504

12/7 Social Ride

On Sunday, December 7, we're hosting our monthly Swami's Social Ride. It’s a conversationally-paced ride where you can meet long-time as well as new Swami’s members. You can check out all of the details here. We start and finish the Social Rides at Bird Rock Coffee Roasters in Bressi Ranch (map). Wear a Swami's kit from any year to get a coffee and baked good, on Swami’s! Have a classic bike you like to show off? This is the ride.

Route: 33 miles/1539’ https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48626897

12/7 Swami’s Holiday Party!

To celebrate a fantastic year of Swami's group riding and events and remember what we all look like in our civilian clothes, we’ll get together on Sunday, December 7 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm for our holiday party!

Swami’s members and +1’s are invited to join us at Viewpoint Brewing (map) in Del Mar for premium wine, beer, and delectable appetizers. We'll be outside, enjoying the view! If the weather gets bad, we’ll move inside. Dress is holiday/casual and there are three lots available for parking.

Note: registration is required. The cost is $20 for Swami’s members and $40 for +1’s. You must register by Thursday, December 4. Due to expected attendance size, we can’t accommodate walk-ins.

If you have any questions, please email president@swamis.org.

12/13 Allstripes Toy Drive Ride

On Saturday, December 13, we’ll join the 2025 All-Stripes Christmas Toy Ride & Party, hosted at Canyon Bicycles (map) and supported by our friends at Canyon, HAMMER Nutrition, The Lost Abbey, The Michael P. Nosco Foundation and many others.

Let’s give and ride! Donate an unwrapped toy and help put a smile on a child's face. The Toy Ride is benefitting Ronald McDonald House & Children's Hospital Oncology and The Mitchell Thorpe Foundation and we will be riding with and in honor of Jocelyn Croxen. #jocelynstrong

If you can't make it, drop-off locations include Canyon Bicycles, Cadence & Queenstage Coffee. Also there is an Amazon Wish List for riders that wish to ride to the start.

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3508EQSC412JF

Snacks and gather at 8:00 am. Roll out at 9:00 am and return for the party!

Suggested Route:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44941082

The road ride starts and finishes at the Canyon Showroom headquarters. Coffee and light pastries will be provided before the ride. Food and refreshments will be provided after the ride.

12/27 Coronado Ride

On Saturday, December 27, we’ll continue our southern ride theme with the big one - Coronado! We’ll leave from Cadence Cyclery (map) at 8:20 and head through downtown San Diego, then along the Silver Strand to Coronado, where we’ll take the ferry back across the bay and ride back to the start. Those who want to start further south can meet at the Torrey Pines Gliderport (map) and roll at 8:40.See our Coronado Ride post for all the details. Remember to save some gas for the pull around the strand!

The cost of the ferry crossing is $9.00 per person. You can pay beforehand at this link, or bring cash or a credit card for the ticket machine.

Route from Cadence: 78.8 mi/2,248′ https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45097929

Route from Gliderport: 55 mi/1,156′ https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41897558

Columbia Employee Store Holiday Season Discount

Our partners at Columbia are offering their holiday season discount, valid from December 5 through January 4, at the Columbia employee store in Carlsbad. Here are the details:

Brands: Columbia, SOREL, Mountain Hardwear & prAna
Discount: Entire Store 40% off (50% off select styles of the Columbia family of brands - Columbia | SOREL | Mountain Hardwear | prAna)
Golden Ticket Deal: Extra 10% off your purchase
For Entry: Guests must show their valid invitation (link here) plus ID and can bring up to 4 people with them. (See invitation for more details)
The offer is valid at the Carlsbad location, 3209 Lionshead Ave, Carlsbad, 92010.
Kiosks are available in-store to order items online at Employee Store pricing.