Second Summer Tours / California Dreaming -
Holiday Tour 2008
YOU NEED TO GO ON THIS TOUR! December 26th -31st
Let's face it, the hectic holiday season between Thanksgiving and New Years can present a real challenge to your sanity and physical health. It's not supposed to be that way, of course. At least that's what the movies and television tells us. Most of you reading this have one simple solution for the challenges of everyday life: go for a bike ride ... on a regular basis. But, somehow, this is a time of year where it's easy to let go (putting on a few pounds, and pushing a training/fitness program to the bottom of the to-do list).
But what if you had a great cycling adventure and some nice weather - to look forward to...something to keep training for even as the daylight hours slip away? Welcome to Second Summer Tour's Holiday Tour 2008. You'll have a great opportunity to get in some early season miles at 'talking pace', meet some new friends that share a similar two-wheel passion, and work off some of those holiday treats (even while savoring plenty of tasty and mostly healthy meals for the week).
This tour will offer a bit of everything good about Southern California in the winter:
- Great weather (usually!)
- A taste of some of the more secluded back roads- we found a few of these rare gems amidst the crowded freeways.
- Outstanding mix of mountain, beach, and desert terrain- all in one week's worth of riding
- Superb support to keep you moving down the road - helping the miles roll under a bit faster
- Extras like nightly social hours, team jersey and socks, several group dinners and breakfasts, and much more
ITINERARY
Day One
O.K., it's the day after Christmas and life has been crazy for the past few weeks with parties and other holiday celebrations. Originally, we were going to start the serious riding on the 26th. But after a lot of feedback that it was going to be a challenge for some folks to travel to Orange County in time for a 9 a.m. start the day after Christmas, we decided to make this a travel day instead, and allow everyone a more leisurely and relaxed start to some great cycling.So instead of scrambling to get it all together, take your time to arrive in Tustin (that's Orange County, California for those out-of-state!) on the 26th. Check-in will be at 1262 Tropicana Lane, Santa Ana (Tustin) in the afternoon of the 26th. You can Google or mapquest the zip code for directions: 92705. For those that aren't computer-savvy, we'll be sending all registered riders a pre-ride instruction sheet that will include directions and key items not to forget for the tour, as well as detailed directions for each day's stage. We have several excellent bike shops close-by for those last-minute emergency purchases.
Tonight's accommodations, while not 'resort' fancy, will be more than adequate and, most importantly, close to the bbq and rider get-together the night of the 26th at our B&B on Tropicana Lane (which will also serve as the check-in site). We'll have tools and rags at the B&B for those that need a place to assemble their bike in the afternoon allowing all an opportunity to get in an easy ride. The first riders that sign up for the tour will have their option of the Tropicana B&B or the close-by hotel. Everyone should be ready to enjoy a simple - but gourmet - Salmon BBQ feast starting at 6 p.m. with some special deserts that will be easy to work off in the coming days! Day Two - 70 miles
Riders are invited for a low-key continental breakfast starting at 7 a.m. on Day Two. Because of the shorter winter days, we'll try to hit the pavement no later than 8:30 most mornings (some folks, I'm sure, will want to depart earlier).Today we make our way down the coast on the famous Pacific Coast Highway, traveling through Camp Pendleton (don't forget your driver's license to get through the base!). At Oceanside, we head inland to Fallbrook. I'm hoping to have my good friend (and tandem partner) Pete Penseyres join us for part of today's riding (and tomorrow as well).
Day Three - 70 miles
Pete and I will guide you through some epic backroads of Fallbrook that very few cyclists ever get to ride after a continental breakfast of breads, cinnamon rolls, juice, etc. Hope you packed that triple or compact gearing for the steeper 'walls' like we suggested on the website! After a break in Temecula, we'll take the long way to Hemet; utilizing more secluded backroads east of Temecula.
Day Four - 65 miles
O.K., 65 miles doesn't seem like much of a challenge today but there's a nasty 4,000 foot climb at the start (ouch!). If the weather is sketchy or you have 'winter legs' from a long layoff we'll have an optional, and easier, lower-elevation route through Banning/Beaumont that will take both groups to the same destination for the night: the desert of Palm Desert/Palm Springs.Tonight will be a chance for the group to get together in a relaxed setting, and enjoy some gourmet pizza, cocktails, and special deserts (yes, if you went over the mountains, you can have a bigger piece!).
Day Five - 65 miles
While it's a very gradual climb out of the desert, the winds can complicate the difficulty level of today's ride. We'll travel through Banning/Beaumont (new scenery to the 'Billy Goat' group that went over mountains yesterday) to the Corona/Riverside area.
Day Six - 50
This is a short, easy day to allow those that have New Year's Eve plans to get back early. Showers will be available post-ride at the B&B in Tustin. We'll be putting together a farewell bbq and social hour for those that aren't in a rush to hit the road, or want to enjoy a bit tamer New Years celebration. There are four very good century options for New Years day that can be discussed in detail during the week. Warning: We've found that after a week's worth of riding, even the best of intentions to put in a New Years century can evaporate ...
Optional New Year's Day ride
Four ride options (all within a 60 to 90 minute drive time): San Diego - annual tradition that will have 40 to 50 riders
Fallbrook - (with a group led by Pete Penseyres) 20 to 30 riders on a hilly course (but incredibly scenic)
Orange County "Wild West Shoot-Out"- This is a fast ride that isn't particularly hilly but it is generally pretty fast, wild, and a bit chaotic
Simi Valley - Legendary Olympian Ron Skarin leads this ride that starts/ends east of Los Angeles. Has a good climb, but done at a sensible pace (most of the distance).
Those that want to spend an extra night or two, celebrating New Year's Eve, get in a few more rides, or visit Disneyland should let us know ASAP to make arrangements for your lodging needs. Cost for the tour is $975 P.P.D.O. (single supplement is $375; but we'll try to pair up riders where desired). $50 discount for those that don't need lodging the 26th.
Picture This- Second Summer Tours and A Bed & Breakfast Just For Cyclists
Pictured is our security team for our B&B homestay in Orange County, including Belle, our guard dog... Well, o.k., these are my twin nephews out for a spin in the Burley trailer, and the only way Belle could hurt you would be to lick you to death!