-General Tour Information-

The general information for the "3rd Annual Solvang Spring Fling Bike Tour" is that it will be held on the weekend of April 5-7th, 2013 in downtown Buellton. Riders of the Moorpark Bike Rides and Channel Islands Bike Club are welcome to participate in this fun biking environment. Riders can reserve a hotel or campsite for the entire weekend or for one night or even drive up for the morning. Check out the "Buellton Chamber of Commerce" link for local information. Activities will include road biking in this beautiful region along with gathering for breakfasts and dinners as well as shopping and wine tasting. Check this webpage for more information about this great event.

-Group Rides and Route Slips-

Biking in the Santa Ynez Valley is fantastic. Rolling roads, green hills, clear blue sky and biker friendly routes. Rides will be posted in this section. As of April 12th, 2012 the two rides offered will be: Saturday April 6th at 8:30am leaving from Los Alamos County Park- Palmer 35 Mile Ramble and a long ride of Aliso 50 Mile Adventure on Sunday, April 7th at 8:30am leaving from Flying Flags RV Resort-Peet's Coffee 20 Miler. Click on the three rides and you will be directed to a PDF form of the route slip. Feel free to print it and bring them with you on that weekend. Routes will be finalized one week before that "Solvang Spring Fling Bike Tour" begins. Our starting location for the morning rides is at "Flying Flags RV Resort" on Avenue of the Flags in downtown Buellton. The rides for this spring edition are not going to be as long or as difficult as the fall edition of the "Lure of the Grapes."

-Hotel Information-

Lots of hotels in the Santa Ynez Valley. Most of the hotels are within walking/biking distance of the ride start at Flying Flags RV Resort on Avenue of the Flags and Highway 246. Hotel prices seem to be less expensive in Buellton, such as the Days Inn which backs up directly to our ride start and Quality Inn, Pea Soup Andersons. There is also Flying Flags Campground with beautiful RV and grassy tent sites. Experience says reserve soon because weekend crowds do arrive during the springtime. No hotel has been selected as our meeting place. So feel free to explore and find a hotel that suits your taste and budget. In the past members have chosen the Days Inn first, Pea Soup Andersons second and Quality Inn third. You can go to this internet site at Solvang Hotels or to Solvang Campgrounds for useful information.

-Dining Choices-

The Santa Ynez Valley is full of fine dining choices for breakfast, dinner and lunch. Obviously, the favorite among cyclists is Ellen's Pancake House for breakfast. Noted as the "place to go" when in Buellton for active bikers like ourselves and those training for the Tour of California. Dinner choices abound within walking distance or a short drive. As for Friday's dinner we plan to head to the Solvang Brewing Company at 805-693-4095 (new number)in Solvang. On Saturday the plan is to eat at the Stewart's site on Expedition Street at the Flying Flags RV Resort. Reservations will probably be needed, so get ready to email Mike with your intentions of riding in the activity and if you plan to eat with the group. Also, bring CASH for the dinner meal, it is much easier to settle the bill with a large group.

-Bike Tour Agenda-

Below is the third edition (April 2nd) of our agenda for the weekend of the "Solvang Spring Fling Bike Tour." Our main goal is to have fun while biking, eating, shopping in a social atmosphere. Riders can join us for the entire weekend or for one night or even for one morning. Any day you choose will end up being so much fun. Here is the agenda for the weekend:

Friday, April 5th, 2013:
Dinner- 7pm at Solvang Brewing Company (805-688-2337) (Solvang) bring CASH please.

Saturday, April 6th, 2013:
Breakfast- 7:30am at Ellen's House of Pancakes.
Ride- 8:30am from Los Alamos County Park to Aliso 50 Miler and a shorter Palmer 35 Miler.
Dinner- Pizza Buffet at the Stewart's RV at Flying Flags RV Resort on Expedition Street right out the gate from the Days Inn.

Sunday, April 7th, 2013:
Breakfast- 7:30am at Ellen's House of Pancakes.
Ride- 8:30am from Flying Flags RV Resort to "Peets Coffee 20 Miler"