In 2019 we did this on Friday the 13th, and had a great day, but some of us had work or school - so this year we are scheduling it as our Black Friday ride when almost everyone can make it & needs to burn off their Thursday feasting!
Join us on this year’s “Turkey Burner” train adventure that Huell Howser would’ve enjoyed! We will DRIVE to Riverside, check out the extensive holiday decorations at the Mission Inn, enjoy a breakfast at Tio’s Tacos & check out their extensive sculptures & folk art before heading down the Santa Ana River Trail bikeway back toward Orange County. Then train back to our start in Riverside

DRIVE to Riverside…

Ride Start: Riverside - Downtown Station
The day after Thanksgiving is a HOLIDAY so Only SATURDAY trains are running… We have to DRIVE to Riverside… so we can return to Riverside for dinner and to see the holiday lights in the evening… Park at the train station and we will roll at 10am. You can ride all the way to Anaheim Canyon (or Corona West) and train back in the afternoon.

then Ride downstream:

Most of this ride really is downhill or flat!
We will ride past the famous Mission Inn, check out their extensive holiday decorations and briefly visit the Inn a bit if we can, then roll over to Tio’s Tacos - a famous landmark of of its own with quirky & giant folk sculptures & great breakfast burritos. (order to-go and to share - their breakfast are huge!)
We should be able to get to Anaheim Canyon by 3:54 to catch the IE #858 back @ 3:54
If riding only to Corona West you will have plenty of time to catch the IE #858 train at 4:14

From breakfast we will take the Santa Ana River Trail bikeway down stream from Riverside to Norco, and turn back, or continue to Corona and beyond to Anaheim Canyon…

Route Slip
(1 full page - Left half to Corona,
Right half to Anaheim Canyon)

Ride to Corona-West -
23 mile short cut option

Map/Elevation - 22.9 miles Riverside to Corona (Short)
After breakfast, we all ride to the Corona-West station;
Train Back to Riverside: you can catch the #858 train back to Riverside @ 4:14pm…

One way from Corona-West to Riverside Downtown is $6.75 ($3.25 senior)

Ride to Norco “out & back” options -
23 to 29 miles

If 39 is too far and no desire to get on a train? Consider the Norco Out & Back; Follow route slip to mile 12.1 or 14.5 & then turn around & double back to the start…
double the pleasure to 23 or 29 miles… or 46 to Corona & back…

Ride to Anaheim Canyon -
39.3 mile full ride

Map/Elevation - 39.3 miles Riverside to Anaheim Canyon (Long)

Train back to Riverside: Catch the #858 @ 3:54
Anaheim Canyon to Riverside is to Irvine is $9.25 ($4.50 seniors)

TRAIN TICKETS

FREE PASS: Metrolink has a rewards program for all riders. “SoCal Explorer” lets you earn points for every mile you travel on Metrolink, then redeem them for free tickets. For a limited time, you’ll receive 750 free SoCal Explorer points when you sign up. (That’s enough points for a free round-trip ticket if still available!)
As always, Metrolink puts safety first. Trains are cleaned and disinfected daily using hospital-grade products and there are two hand sanitizer stations aboard each train car. Face covering / masks may still be required on trains, and the “How Full is My Train?” feature on their app helps you plan for physical distancing if still a concern.
Buying your ticket online with their app just before boarding is easy.
Sign up today for SoCal Explorer today and get enough points for this adventure !
The day after Thanksgiving is a holiday and trains only run the Saturday Schedule.