Photo: Jim Balsitis Cycling in Santa Barbara Wine Country, California Highlights:
Includes:
Trip Number: 08218A Price: $2,145 Deposit: $200 Capacity: 12 Leader:
The Trip  Photo: Jim Balsitis Escape to the Santa Barbara Wine Country on a picturesque cycling vacation including wine tasting, gourmet dining, and luxurious accommodations. The east-west orientations of the Santa Ynez and San Rafael Ranges form valleys opening to the Pacific Ocean that allow the flow of fog and ocean breezes, creating microclimates perfect for the cultivation of world-class wine grapes. Cycling country roads past fields of grapevines with the scenic mountains in the distance, we'll have opportunities to visit and tour wineries and enjoy gourmet lunches under oak trees. We'll be cycling some of the same roads that seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong trained on with the Discovery Team. And you'll have daily cycling options that range from leisurely to demanding depending on your mood.
 Photo: Jim Balsitis Day 1: The trip will start this afternoon with a shuttle pick-up at the Santa Barbara airport or downtown. We'll then drive into the Santa Ynez Valley for check-in at our deluxe inn and spa. We will enjoy a group welcome dinner at a gourmet restaurant in Los Olivos. Day 2: After breakfast at the inn we'll have a group meeting and bike fitting. Once we're ready, we'll take a short 15-25 mile ride along picturesque backcountry roads past sun-drenched vineyards, rolling hills studded with oak trees, and majestic mountain views. We'll be treated to a gourmet lunch and wine tasting at an award-winning winery and then make the return ride to the inn. Additional mileage for stronger riders is available, or you can spend the afternoon exploring art galleries and tasting rooms in the quaint town of Los Olivos. Day 3: After breakfast we'll depart on a 20-35 mile ride -- a local favorite -- that takes us past rustic cattle ranches and breath-taking vistas to the base of the same mountain that Lance Armstrong trained on each winter here in the Santa Ynez Valley. After lunch our ride continues through the estates and horse ranches of the Ballard Canyon area. Wine tastings will be available along the way. You can then take the shuttle back to the inn in Los Olivos or add more mileage to the day. Dinner will be on your own; you can choose between many nice restaurants in Los Olivos or take a shuttle to Santa Ynez. Day 4: After breakfast and the group meeting we'll ride 25-40 miles through Ballard Canyon and into the town of Buellton . We'll continue our ride through the Santa Rita Hills, famous for the Pinot River. We'll enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch and wine tasting beside a creek at one of the county's certified organic and sustainable wineries. After lunch we'll ride into the Danish town of Solvang where we will stay at a charming Scandinavian inn for the next two nights. A shuttle will be available for those who prefer to not ride back. The afternoon can then be spent exploring this wonderful Danish town. Once again, we'll dine as a group at a local restaurant.  Photo: Jim Balsitis Day 5: Today's ride will take us 20-35 miles on a pastoral journey out of Solvang and past horse ranches, apple orchards, and wineries to the small town of Ballard , which is home to the oldest, still-operating, schoolhouse in the county. On the way home we will stop in the rural ranch community of Woodstock for lunch and wine at another organic winery. The afternoon can then be spent riding or exploring Solvang. Dinner will be another gourmet favorite. Day 6: After breakfast we'll check out of the hotel and head back to Santa Barbara . We'll arrive by 11 a.m. Getting There Seven airlines fly directly into Santa Barbara from 12 destinations including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Seattle.
The hotels we will be using are exceptional properties. Both are within easy walking distance of shops and attractions. The hotel rooms are reserved based on double occupancy. All rooms have private baths. All meals, with the exception of one dinner, are included with the trip price including full breakfast at the hotels, gourmet lunches along our riding route, and group dinners at local restaurants. Three wine tastings are included during our rides. All other alcoholic beverages, including at dinners, will be at the expense of the participant. Vegetarian options will be available at all meals. Vegan and special dietary requests may be available but are not guaranteed. Wine can be purchased at the wineries and transported back to the hotel in modest quantities. Most restaurants will allow diners to bring their own wine and charge a corkage fee of about $10/bottle.
This trip is appropriate for novice to intermediate riders. Additional mileage will be available each day for the more advanced and stronger riders. The terrain consists mostly of flats and rolling hills with the occasional short, steep hill. Participants will need to condition themselves for rides of up to 40 miles. There will be no layover days on this trip. The minimum age for this trip is 16 years old. Parent or guardian participation will be required for minors. The legal drinking age in California is 21 years.
The trip price includes bicycle and helmet rental. New Specialized road bikes will be provided and fit to the participant. The bikes come with clipless pedals and handlebar bags. Clips are available upon request. You are welcome to bring your own pedals and saddle, which can be fit on the bike. A bicycle mechanic will be available in the remote chance of a needed repair. If you elect to bring your own bicycle you will need to have the leader approve your bike prior to the trip and it will be your responsibility to transport your bicycle to the meeting point. Helmets must be worn at all times while on the bike. July offers warm and predictable weather. It seldom rains but you should have a light rain jacket just in case. The average high temperature is 90 degrees and the average low is 50 degrees. You will want a light wind jacket for the morning ride and a light jacket or sweater for evenings. A detailed equipment list will be sent to all participants prior to the trip. Dress attire for the evening meals can be casual up to, what is called "Valley Formal." Whatever you are most comfortable in is fine except for shorts, t-shirts and flip-flops.
Maps • Benchmark Maps, California Road & Recreation Atlas • http://www.benchmarkmaps.com/index.html • "Wineries of Santa Barbara County Touring Map" • http://sbcountywines.com/visit/map.html Websites • Touring Santa Barbara 's "Sideways" Universe. • "Organic Wineries: Wine Country Travel Ratings and Reviews" • " California Organic Certified Farmers" Books • Victor W. Geraci, Salud: The Rise of Santa Barbara's Wine Industry. The evolution and development of Santa Barbara County as one of California 's premium wine-producing areas. • Otis L., Jr. Graham, Kirk Irwin (Photographer), UCSB Graduate Program in Public Historic Studies, Aged in Oak, the Story of the Santa Barbara County Wine Industry. Conservation When you think about wine you probably think about Napa Valley or perhaps France or Italy. The Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara County is wine country for Southern California. With over 21,000 acres of vineyards, wine production has grown so fast that the land is feeling tremendous pressure from this development. The live oaks are disappearing and replaced by the rows of vineyards. The vineyards are monocultures and are subject to the application of insecticides and herbicides. Some wineries are taking a different approach and have moved toward certified organic production and sustainable operations. One winery has a biodynamic system that is unique. We will visit some these wineries, and the owners and managers will offer our group a special tasting of their organic and biodynamic wines and talk to us about how they do it and why they care.
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy. The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips
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Kath Giel is a life member of the Sierra Club and has been leading Sierra Club national and international trips since 2000. She has led bicycle trips in South Australia, and she has traveled self-contained by bike in New Zealand, Uzbekistan, Kirgizstan, and Kazakhstan. Kath enjoys road and mountain biking in the Sonoma and Napa wine country near her home in Santa Rosa, California. She is known for her love of the outdoors, travel and fix-it abilities.