One of the best and most famous centuries (100 mile bike rides) takes place in beautiful wine drenched Santa Ynez Valley (see the movie "Sideways" for pre-ride eye candy). We will be staying at Buellton’s Flying Flags RV Park and Campground where a nice tent campground well away from the RVs awaits us. For those so inclined, the campground also has a pool and Jacuzzi. You must make your own reservation at the Flying Flags RV Park and Campground: 877-783-5247. Tent site locations are first come, first served. Buellton is a few miles north of Solvang and about 30 miles north of Santa Barbara on 101. I will reserve a campsite at the Flying Flags for Saturday and Sunday nights. Participants may also opt for staying in a motel. On Saturday and Sunday nights we have our own ODC party after enjoying our own barbeque or a dinner at one of the local restaurants. On Saturday, Sunday and Monday mornings we do wine tasting rides. We will try to have a sag car to pick up wine purchases. If anyone just wants to drive the sag and not ride, they are welcome to come.

I've reserved a basic tent site. The site is in the open and there is no number. I will choose which site (among many) when I get there. So, if you want to camp with the group, just set up near me. I also suggest everyone bring some sort shade device like a shade tent, umbrella, or lean-to.

We begin by meeting at 9:00 Saturday morning in front of the "Thanks A Latte" coffee shop in a large shopping center in Buellton. The shopping center is a few blocks south of the Hwy 101 on Hwy 246. The address is 234 E Highways 246. Please arrive early so we can leave as close to 9:00 as possible. If you are worried about parking in the shopping center, you can find parking nearby or in a residential neighborhood across Hwy 246. After the day’s ride, we can check into Flying Flags Campground or our motel.

ROUTE: We have an abundance of very good choices. The group will be able to pick from a list of moderate and advanced routes. We can even break into a moderate group and an advanced group. 

DIFFICULTY: I rate this trip as beginning/intermediate/advanced – it all depends on the route you choose. Regardless of the route, it is best to have a multi-gear bicycle in good repair. If you consider yourself a beginner who is up for a challenge and in good shape you are welcome to come. You should know that I use the word “beginner” with qualifications. I do not mean a beginning bicycle rider, I mean a beginning long distance bicycle tourist: i.e., you can already ride 30+ miles at 12-14 mph. You also know how to fix a flat.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING? A multi-gear bike in good repair with low gears. If your bike has a triple crank set, a compact crank set, or very large cogs, it probably has low gears. If you have a mountain bike with knobby off-road tires, I suggest you install narrow road tires – you will find your ride much less difficult. If you have a bike purchased in a department store (rather than a bike shop) you may have a very heavy bike, with poor bearings and unreliable hardware. If this is the case, I advise against using that bike. If all you have is a department store bike, but you are nevertheless a strong rider and still want to go, I can probably loan you an appropriate bicycle. You should also have spare tube, etc., If you need to borrow a bicycle you can email me or call me at 310-266-8592.

WHY: The ride, the camping, the shared beverages, and the jokes. And… I hope to introduce more people to the joys of bicycle touring and camping.