Can’t afford a trip to France? Never dated Sheryl Crow or Kate Hudson? Haven’t overcome a personal testicular cancer setback to become a successful professional athlete?
There’s at least one way you can share something in common with cycling god Lance Armstrong: You can ride the Solvang route he’ll soon be pedaling as part of his big comeback in the Amgen Tour of California.
Solvang was host to individual time trials in the statewide race in 2007 and 2008, and will be again on Feb. 20, 2009. But before the big boys test their treads on the roads and byways of Santa Ynez Valley, members of the media and public can ride the 15-mile loop on Dec. 15.
Dave Chavis, co-owner of Dr. J’s Bike Shop in Solvang, explained that the draw of the route itself, coupled with the opportunity to rub handlebars with professionals, is “just a really cool thing.”
“We’re all going to ride it,” he said, comparing the picturesque 15-mile buffalo- and winery-laden loop to a pristine stretch of snow: “It would be the equivalent of a groomed ski run and being the first one on it,” he said.
Chavis, whose shop sits at the start of the route, said local cyclists pedal the route weekly—though not necessarily competitively.
“Pitting yourself against somebody who does it professionally really humbles you,” he said. “I ride it all the time. I do it in an hour, and those [pro] guys do it in half an hour.”
Overall, he said, the event is a cool way to promote cycling in the valley.
It’s certainly a great way to draw attention to the region. Laura Kath, Solvang Conference and Visitors Bureau media relations director, said this year’s Solvang route is the same as last year’s, but the new riders—i.e. seven-time Tour de France winner Armstrong—will be the most exciting part of the race.
Local organizers are planning for more attendance this year, both in terms of spectators and reporters. Last year brought more than 100 media members from around the world. This year, Solvang is bracing for double—or even triple—that number. About 15,000 spectators poured into the area to watch the 2008 event, and locals are anticipating thousands more for this go round.
Viewers tend to crowd this stage of the race because, unlike stages that offer only a quick glimpse of a passing peloton, riders offer more face time in Solvang. It’s unique, Kath explained, because each competitor comes out of the starting gate and rides the route individually. Also, the finishing line is only a block away—not that far of a walk, considering the length of the overall route.
“So this is an incredible opportunity to see these world-class cyclists riding solo,” Kath said. “You don’t have to feel like you saw this insane pack of riders go whooshing by.”
The Tour of California as a whole spans more than 800 miles. Besides Solvang at Stage 6, the race’s host cities are Sacramento, Davis, Santa Rosa, Sausalito, Santa Cruz, San Jose, Modesto, Merced, Clovis, Visalia, Paso Robles, Santa Clarita, Pasadena, Rancho Bernardo, and Escondido.
The route changes every year, so Solvang officials and cycling fans weren’t sure what to expect this time around, especially with so many cities vying to be a stop on the race.
“We were thrilled,” Kath said of the announcement that Solvang would once again make the Tour of California map. “They love Solvang. It’s a hug coup.”
Test yourself
The Dec. 15 “Ride the Route” event starts at Solvang Park with registration and a continental breakfast at 10 a.m. A welcome, announcements, and a Q&A session start at 10:30, and 11 a.m. marks the start of the ride.
The ride is free and open to the public. For more information about the event, visit tourofcalifornia-solvang. For more information about the upcoming Tour of California, visit amgentourofcalifornia.com.
Want to ride the route, but need a set of properly working wheels? Contact Dr. J’s Bike Shop,1693 Mission Drive, Solvang, at 688-6263.
Executive Editor Ryan Miller wants to know when competitive unicycling is going to get the attention it deserves. Contact him at rmiller@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Dec 11-18, 2008.