We just wrapped up our inaugural Cycling House season in Solvang and are still in awe of the beautiful roads and rolling green hills. This year we offered two training camps that somewhat followed our Tucson style trips. Rides began and ended at the Ballard Inn, where the riders also stayed, and encompassed many of the local canyons, climbs and wine tours. Highlights of the rides include a long day to Jalama Beach, beautifully wineries, oddly passing by Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch, and topping out with expansive views from Figueroa Mt. Road.

The riding in the area has often been compared to many well-known rides in Europe. After riding the narrower roads slowly being overgrown with poppies and lupine, and the steep winding climb up Mt. Figueroa we can see where the comparison comes from. If you are unable to make our French Alps or Provence trips this year, the riding in Solvang will make up for it!.

Despite being near the metropolis that is Southern California, the Santa Ynez valley is very lightly trafficked, which made for excellent riding. That, combined with the rare, Spring only, green hills of California made for a couple spectacular weeks. We hope you will join the Cycling House next March for year two in Solvang. We can’t wait!