Friday, September 21, 2012

RTW - Day 20 - Santa Maria to Solvang, CA

43 miles, 2200 feet of climb (cumulative 1270 miles, 70700 feet of climb)

A short mileage day featuring one long gradual climb and many wineries along the way. The weather was again warm and any extra clothing was quickly shed as we left Santa Maria.

Peppers

Our ride began on rural agricultural roads out of Santa Maria and we went by some strawberry and pepper fields, among the many different crops we saw. At mile 4 we turned on Foxen Canyon Road for a gradual 20 mile climb that took us from 350 to 1600 feet. Mile 21 had the day's only SAG stop at Tres Hermanos winery.

During the day's climb

SAG stop at Tres Hermanos Winery

From mile 25, the roads were mostly downhill to Solvang, passing many wineries. Jeff, Mark Koltz, and I stopped at Fess Parker, Curtis, and Firestone wineries. Since we were cycling, we had to limit our tasting to one wine per winery and Fess Parker and Curtis were happy to accommodate us at no charge.  Firestone refused to serve us unless we paid the full $10 tasting fee for seven wines. Given the circumstances, we declined and I will not be ordering more of their wine.

Fess Parker

Curtis Winery

Nancy, at Curtis Winery

Harvest was in progress at Firestone Winery

We concluded the day on Ballard Canyon Road and Chalk Hill Road into Solvang, both roads being used for the time trial during the Tour of California bicycle race. It was an easy day before another long one tomorrow into Oxnard. Only three days of riding remain on RTW.


Today's ride:

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