The Bicycle Adventure Club - Come Ride With Us!

Paso Robles Ramble 2019

February 17th to February 23rd

Ride Director: Richard Reinecke
Ride Co-Director: Marianne Reinecke
Report by: Monica Siewertsen

Report by: Renee Roelofs and Monica Siewertsen

Beautiful scenery, a plethora of wineries to explore and Richard and Marianne Reinecke as ride
leaders…..I’m starting to see a pattern here. Renee and I are relatively new members and this is only our
second BAC ride. Both have been excellent and the ride leaders have had everything to do with that.

Although the Paso Robles ride has been amongst BAC’s winter offerings for some time, this was the first
year it was led by Richard and Marianne. What a fantastic job they did. Our trip opening happy hour was
held in one of the meeting rooms at the Courtyard Marriott, which was home for the week of fixed base
rides. The nineteen riders that attended were greeted with local refreshments, the planned heavy hors
d'oeuvres and SWAG bags with a number of goodies that included Marianne’s favourite lip balm, a
thoughtful and greatly appreciated item.

The rides headed in a different direction each day and were easily navigated using the printed and
electronic formats of the routes provided by Rich. Local history, sites of interest and things to watch out
for during the next day’s ride were carefully explained during each subsequent happy hour. Up to date
information based on a reconnaissance done the day before each ride was especially useful for flooded
roads due to recent heavy rains. Getting to know a bit about each of the other riders was assisted by
Rich and Marianne’s ‘question of the evening’. I found this an excellent ice breaker and a humbling
experience to find myself in the company of so many accomplished, friendly and unassuming characters.

The winter weather in Paso Robles is varied and although significantly better than a lot of other
snowbound places at this time (New York and Reno) it can still be cold and wet. The flexibility of Rich,
Marianne and the group made starting earlier or later and flip flopping routes to outsmart the
predicated rain simple. With such excellent route documentation, it was very easy for everyone to be
comfortable doing slightly more or less on any given day or taking the opportunity to see a California
landmark without riding at all. Riding on generally lightly travelled lumpy/hilly rolly roads amongst
beautiful vineyards, being challenged by a few longer climbs was just as advertised. The opportunity to
visit a few wineries and perhaps purchase of a bottle or two in the middle of the ride or afterwards was
taken advantage of by more than a few members.

The group dinners were excellent and showcased two different aspects of the local food offerings. The
happy hours were relaxed and inviting and provided the opportunity to listen to stories and to learn that
there are so many more BAC rides that we would like to participate in. The Courtyard Marriott provided
an excellent array of made when ordered breakfasts and despite the first morning hiccup of a broken
cappuccino machine, was a great host hotel. This is a fabulous ride. If you get the urge to try it, you will
enjoy it. If you have the opportunity to go on a ride led by Richard and Marianne….just do it!!!