About the California Challenge Ride
- This ride is rated Category "A" (very difficult)
- ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST REGISTER ONLINE! There is a $75 (non-refundable and non-transferable) registration fee for all rider types for all Project Hero Challenge Rides.
- You will be required to join the private Challenge group on Strava to ensure you are physically prepared for the ride and consistently riding.
- We will be in touch with you after you register to ensure you have everything you need to be successful and ready. A ride guide with ALL of the event details day by day, mile by mile, will be send out approximately 3-4 weeks before the event. Prior to that important information will be shared via email.
Commitment Deadline for the California Challenge:
The final day for fundraising to attend the California Challenge will be Wednesday, September 9, 2026. Riders who have not raised enough funds to qualify for registration in the California Challenge on that date are eligible for donation to Project Hero or transferability to a 2027 Challenge event.
SINGLE DAY RIDERS:
If you are unable to join us for the entire ride you may participate in any one day of the Challenge. SINGLE DAY RIDER REGISTRATION MUST BE COMPLETED BY 6:00 PM on October 16, 2026. ABSOLUTELY NO "DAY OF EVENT" REGISTRATION.
Single day riders must pay the non-refundable/non-transferable $75 registration fee and raise a single-day minimum fundraising amount of $150 per day. Specific day(s) are selected during the registration process.
Due to demand and logistics, single-day riders are limited to a maximum of TWO days per event (whether consecutive or nonconsecutive days), setting a fundraising commitment of $300. All riders participating in more than two days will be required to raise the fundraising minimum for the full week for their corresponding participation type.
VOLUNTEERS:
If you are interested in volunteering for a Challenge. Please send an email to info@weareprojecthero.org with your name, the Challenge you are interested in supporting, and the role(s) you feel you would be able to assist with. Please include any information on why you feel you are qualified for the role and if referred, include that person's name. We receive many requests for volunteers but are only allowed to approve a limited amount of focused groups to help assist in a successful event. A Challenge team member will reach out to you if a position is open for the event to discuss the possibility of volunteering. We appreciate your interest in supporting Project Hero.
RIDER PAGES:
To find your rider page or to sponsor a rider, please visit the search for a rider page.
To login to access your rider page, please LOGIN HERE. Note: You must FIRST REGISTER with the button above to have a rider page.
PARTICIPATION CRITERIA:
If you register for an event and reach your required fundraising commitment, you automatically qualify to participate. Just make sure you reach your fundraising minimum before the commitment deadline of September 9. It’s important that you stay connected with your local HUBs to support your training efforts in addition to the Strava group.
Minimum Fundraising Commitments:
- Wounded Warrior - $700
- Non-injured Active Duty or Veteran - $1,500
- General Public - $4,000
- Single Day Riders - $150/day (2 day max)
If on the COMMITMENT DEADLINE (September 9, 2026):
You meet and/or exceed the goal:
Way to go! You’re all set to participate. Funds can also help another rider registered for the SAME event reach their fundraising requirement.
You meet the goal but cannot attend:
If canceling BEFORE the fundraising deadline, funds can be: transferred to another multi-day event within 12-months, transferred to another rider for the SAME event or donated to Project Hero. For cancellations AFTER the fundraising deadline (or no shows), funds raised will be considered a donation and will not be transferable.
You have not met the goal:
There are several options to ensure every participant has the opportunity to ride:
1. Pay (or raise) the difference within 3 business days.
2. Transfer funds to another event within a 12-month period.
3. Transfer funds to a rider registered for the SAME event.
4. Donate funds to Project Hero.
If options 1-3 are not completed by the deadline, funds will automatically be considered a donation (option 4) and will not be transferable.
*Note: Credit cards will NEVER be automatically charged.
QUESTIONS
Please visit the FAQ page with any questions, or contact us at info@weareprojecthero.org.