Solvang in Spring - 2024

This ride is a fixed-base or semi-fixed-base ride, please read the ride description for more details.

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

Check out Bob Lynn's Youtube of Solvang, 2016  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=habbRXekP3o

OVERVIEW:  Join us for a 6-day fixed-base tour out of Solvang, California, a village with a distinct Danish flair on the Central Coast, about 40 miles north of Santa Barbara.  This will be at least the 26th time with various ride leaders that this tour has been conducted. For this iteration  Dianne Olsen will be the Ride Leader. This region is distinguished by horse ranches, vineyards, and historic missions, as well as mile after mile of wonderfully scenic cycling back roads.  Attesting to the wonderful cycling in this area, professional cycling teams train here during the winter months. There is not one specific group ride required each day.  There is flexibility according to preference, ability, and terrain.

RIDE RATING:  There are multiple cycling options for average to accomplished riders. The terrain is as varied as it is beautiful with daily averages of 25-45 miles and roughly 1,600 feet of elevation gain.  This tour has a 2B ride rating.  Because this is a fixed-base ride there are no mandatory ride days and IT IS NOT SAG VEHICLE SUPPORTED.   Some of the routes have 2 plus mile climbs that average 7-8% grade, but other routes can be substituted.  Because the rides originate from a fixed location, participants can adjust the length and type of terrain over which they prefer to ride.  The road surfaces on some of the roads in the Solvang area have deteriorated from lack of road maintenance over the years (some worse than others), but we’ve heard very few complaints.  The beauty of the area and the lack of traffic more than make up for the road conditions.   Cyclists with 25 or 28mm tires shouldn’t have any problems. Experienced Tandems and E-Bikes are welcome.

WEATHER: The weather in California's Central Coast varies in early April but is usually more than acceptable for cycling.  It is best described as “crisp in the mornings, but sunny and warm in the afternoons.”  High temperatures for early April range from 65°F to 80°F for daytime and overnight from 40°F to 50°F.  Average rain accumulation for the first week of April is 1.5 inches.

LODGING & MEALS: The Wine Valley Inn (1-800-824-6444), 1564 Copenhagen Drive, Solvang, CA, 93463) with its newly remodeled rooms, is the base for our tour.  It is within walking distance of the entire downtown area.  The BAC Solvang Tour has operated from this hotel for many years.  The hotel provides a complimentary daily hot breakfast featuring cereals, fresh fruit, baked goods, sausage, scrambled eggs, hash browns, hard boiled eggs, yogurt, and coffee/tea/juice.   Bikes are allowed in the rooms, and reliable Wi-Fi is available throughout the facility.

LODGING IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF THE TOUR.  BAC has negotiated a limited number of rooms that will be available for reservations made before 3/7/2024.  The room rates vary from $147.73 per night on weekdays, to $248.70 per night on Friday and (if desired) Saturday.  All prices include 14.2% hotel tax.  The sooner you confirm your reservation, the better your chance of getting the room of your choice.  Parking is available and is included in the cost of the hotel.

Due to the popularity of this Ride, early reservations are recommended.  PARTICIPANTS MUST ARRANGE THEIR OWN LODGING BY CONTACTING THE HOTEL DIRECTLY at 1-800-824-6444.  Be sure to identify yourself as a BAC member and confirm the special lodging rate.

LOGISTICS:  The ride begins on Sunday, April 7, 2024, at 4:45 PM for happy hour in the breakfast room of our hotel.  The ride concludes after breakfast on Saturday, April 13, 2024.  Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) is the closest airport to Solvang.  Solvang is a scenic 40-mile drive from SBA and takes around 45 minutes.  Traditionally, many Solvang Tour participants who live within a reasonable distance drive to Solvang.  It is also accessible from Santa Barbara via hired car or taxi service.   You can even take a bus or train from Los Angeles or San Francisco; however most who travel from out of state typically rent cars.  It can be handy to have a car for visiting local wineries, historic missions, and other points of interest on the Central Coast as well as for remote start rides. Free parking is available on site.

Dr J’s Bicycle Shop, the only bike shop in town is three blocks from the hotel.  They are a full-service bike shop that offers high quality Specialized rental bikes as well as any supplies or services you may need.  They can be reached at 805-688-6263. If you plan on renting a bicycle from Dr J’s, arrangements must be made directly with them and are the sole responsibility of the trip participant renting the bike.

COST & ADMINISTRATION:  The $500 deposit, which is paid online by credit card, is the only payment. (GPS data, cue sheets, daily itineraries and route details will be accessible in Ride Leader Docs for self-printing on the BAC web site). GPS files are included, but it is the responsibility of the participants to be familiar with  how to operate their own personal GPS. In addition to the GPS maps and cue sheets, the participants will receive updated route maps, two group dinners, evening happy hours with appetizers, wine, beer, juices, and soft drinks.  Participants will need to make their own hotel reservations and those fees are paid directly to the hotel.  Lunches and snacks are not included. There are many places to explore and to find sustenance on the road.  Four of the six nights you will be on your own for dinner.  Our experience is that participants quickly find common interests and lively dinner groups flourish.

SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY:  If you are a single rider, we will assist you in finding a suitable roommate. Or, you may prefer having a room all to yourself. Let the Ride Director know your preference. The Wine Valley Inn room rate is the same whether there are one or two occupants.

HEALTH & SAFETY: Participants should be vaccinated for Covid and prepared to present vaccination documentation for viewing by the Ride Leader, if requested. Prior to 45 days before the tour start date, an infectious disease plan will be developed and communicated. The plan will identify possible actions for dealing with persons with an infectious disease on the tour that could affect their ability to ride or the health of others in the group. The plan will include items such as isolation protocols, testing, masking, distancing, and leaving the tour.  We would like to consider our group a Covid-free bubble.  

RIDE PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY:  Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support.  Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health, and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles.   All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour.  We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from Ride Leader.  While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and clean-up.  Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour.  Please keep the Ride Leader informed of any special request you may have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions.

INSURANCE: Before participating in any BAC tour, you should assess whether your medical and travel insurance coverage is sufficient. BAC maintains insurance that covers expenses related to accidents. This coverage applies when touring inside the US, regardless of your nationality. It’s assumed that members’ personal insurance will cover medical emergencies such as sudden and unexpected sickness, so these have not been included in the BAC policy. Coverage is subject to a $1,000 deductible. You may want to consider personal coverage for emergency evacuation, as this is not included. The costs of treatment or quarantine for Covid and other unexpected illnesses are not covered. You should ensure that your vaccinations are up to date.

CANCELLATION POLICY:  The BAC Ride Registration Fee and Payment Processing Fees are not refundable unless the entire tour is canceled because the number of participants registered is less than the minimum established for the tour. Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped. The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations. If the canceling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time. If the canceling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed. If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the canceling roommate may also be liable for the solo supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour. BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

SIGN-UP:  To submit a request to join this ride use the "links" displayed above this Ride Description.  When you are accepted, the Ride Leader will move you from the Waitlist to the Pending List.  At this time, you will receive an email notification to login to the BAC website to sign the release of liability form and pay the non-refundable $50 BAC ride registration fee and the tour cost ($500) by credit card.  As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. To contact the Ride Leader, "click" the name at the top of this Ride Description.