Route Description:
PLEASE NOTE: The road surfaces in and around the Santa Ynez Valley can be, and often are, pretty lousy. Expect cracks and bumps and potholes on Foxen Canyon, Santa Rosa Road and Drum Canyon, for sure. Please bring appropriate, wider, more cushy tires.
Please note: We will likely create a new route for 2025 to avoid Drum Canyon. Below is a description based on prior years.
The route is basically two centuries starting/ending in Buellton. On the first half, riders will do a quick, easy warm-up loop on the back roads of Solvang, Ballard, Santa Ynez and Foxen Canyon before heading out to enjoy the rolling hills of Santa Rosa Road. Rolling through Lompoc, you’ll hit the first sustained climb of the day, up Harris Grade, followed by a super fast and fun descent to Highway 1. Then you’ll head south to Los Alamos and up and over Drum Canyon then back to Buellton.
The second half has a bit more climbing, starting with Drum Canyon in reverse! And YES! The road is better on the Los Alamos side; so perhaps a less bumpy descent; and again, in full daylight! Up and over, you’ll drop down to Los Alamos (again). Then it’s time for some more roads-less-traveled; north on the 101 just a few miles and up Palmer Road, with a steep pitch right at the top before you plunge back down into Sisquoc. From here you’ll do an awesome out-and-back on Tepusquet Road, which has superb pavement and super fun, twisty descending. You’ll return to Buellton via Foxen Canyon, Zaca Station and Ballard Canyon which all climb and roll back to Buellton.
192 (or so) miles with about 12,400′ of climbing. This route is significantly more challenging than the Spring route – but the change has also made the route more unique, with new roads and new challenges. The route stays closer to Solvang/Buellton, allowing for shorter options if needed/desired.
Given the distance between locations where food/water is available, a camelbak or other hydration system is highly recommended.
