Solvang Biking - Day 1

I am in Solvang CA for a week of biking. Today a group of about 15 riders met up this morning with the Trek Travel support team. Most of us did not bring our own bikes, so we started by getting our saddles and pedals put on the bikes Scott and Sarah (our Trek guides) had set up for us. Once that was complete, and after the welcome, introduction and safety conversation, we all got on the bikes and headed out for a relatively short warm up ride.

The temperature today was in the upper 70s, but it felt warmer with the blue skies, strong sun, and lack of wind. It may just feel hot because of the stark comparison to the cold and snowy winter weather of Massachusetts that I left behind.

Today was my first outdoor ride of the season. I am not in good shape right now, so I rode at an easy pace. Our ride today was just under 24 miles of rolling hills mixed with flats.

Most of the ride was on quiet back roads. While the last 5 miles were on a busier road, it had a full with shoulder, so even there I had no issues with cars at all. In the past, I have found that the drivers in California tend to be much better about cyclists than drivers in New England.

Our route had us looping through farmland and vineyards such as this one. Overall, it was a lovely way to start the week.

Tomorrow will be a much harder day. Riders can choose either a 60 or an 80 mile loop. I am planning on doing the 80 mile loop but might change my mind depending on the temperature and how my legs feel. My primary purpose of being out here is to push myself into better shape which is why I am inclined to do the 80. Either way, with Wednesday being 76 miles, I will be curious to see how my legs feel by Thursday.

I plan to post every evening while I am here. Once I get back, I will also do a post about my birding in Santa Barbara yesterday.