Southern California - Santa Barbara questions

Hi there. NorCal here. I'm spending a few days in Santa Barbara, and I'm wondering what the "must-do" road rides are. I'll probably only have two days to ride, 30-40 miles each.

Also, what part of town is ideal to stay in for riding? Are there safe/easy routes to ride from downtown to the hills?

Thanks in advance.

This would be an easier question to answer last week. Unfortunately, I'm not actually sure what roads are open or closed right now.

Do you like climbing, or would you prefer more mellow rides that stay closer to the coast?

*** helped me out with a route a while back.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&saddr=S+Los+Carneros+Rd+%4034.430450,+-119.859600&daddr=Hollister+Ave+%4034.435059,+-119.797403+to:Marina+Dr+%4034.410043,+-119.759353+to:Shoreline+Dr+%4034.398471,+-119.703474+to:Hot+Springs+Rd+%4034.432450,+-119.640790+to:E+Mountain+Dr+%4034.449139,+-119.647124+to:W+Mountain+Dr+%4034.454169,+-119.669591+to:34.454979,-119.751749+to:Foothill+Rd+%4034.451609,+-119.757555+to:Cathedral+Oaks+Rd+%4034.451524,+-119.795260+to:Cathedral+Oaks+Rd+%4034.451306,+-119.837450+to:S+Los+Carneros+Rd+%4034.430300,+-119.859760&hl=en&geocode=11426260507543624406,34.430450,-119.859600%3B2441789641817276028,34.435059,-119.797403%3B16885520113471687656,34.410043,-119.759353%3B17140666388989575047,34.398471,-119.703474%3B1512264172127672056,34.432450,-119.640790%3B5239003486783794436,34.449139,-119.647124%3B9370323785702947994,34.454169,-119.669591%3B%3B16118114133733049028,34.451609,-119.757555%3B12050476411627755869,34.451524,-119.795260%3B13925410629972807662,34.451306,-119.837450%3B12869077234374102532,34.430300,-119.859760&mra=dme&mrcr=1&mrsp=7&sz=15&via=1,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10&sll=34.441247,-119.746385&sspn=0.032561,0.06609&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=34.432682,-119.779515&spn=0.032564,0.06609&z=15

It's got a little climbing though, nothing brutal.

This would be an easier question to answer last week. Unfortunately, I'm not actually sure what roads are open or closed right now.

Do you like climbing, or would you prefer more mellow rides that stay closer to the coast?


I like climbing.

Also, any restaurant recommendations would be welcome as well:)

Thanks.

Help put out fires.

Help put out fires.

Riiight, because I'm so qualified to do that. I'll bring my hose. The fires suck and I feel for the people being affected by them, but your comment is just ridiculous.

If you took is literally then you are ridiculous..

If you took is literally then you are ridiculous..

Whatever dude, your comments have done nothing for this thread. Anyone with real information is welcome to add to the thread. Thanks.

Ok dude..

Riiight, because I'm so qualified to do that. I'll bring my hose. The fires suck and I feel for the people being affected by them, but your comment is just ridiculous.

Settle down... I believe the reference was to the fact that Santa Barbara is burning right now and any good climbs would go right up into Monteceito where the fires are occurring.

Hopefully it will be out before you travel but if not, your rides may be limited to cruising up and down the coast. I would assume the entire Monteceito area will be closed off to any traffic.

Suggestion - ride down the coast to Ventura and ride up to Ojai. Check out the Cool Breeze Century. The bike club that sponsors it should have a route map posted.

Go here:

http://www.cibike.org/page5.html

click on routes and maps...

This is the thread to read on cycling in Santa Barbara. Read ***'s posts and you will have plenty to choose from.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=441805&highlight=barbara+santa

The area that was affected includes Mt Drive and lower Gibraltar (lower 2-3 miles of the 6.7 mile climb). These are two of the most pristine areas to ride through, but there are other areas to choose from including the Old San marcos/Painted Cave area and some of the routes that drop down the backside towards Solvang, go along the beaches, go along the ridge above SB (Camino Cielo), or head out on the flats towards UCSB.

If you are interested in group rides there is something going on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday mornings with groups usually leaving at 8 am from the Roasting Company Coffee Shop or RoCo, with the exception of Sunday when things get going at 9:10 from the East Beach Bath House.

Check out the rides section on Fastrack's site.

http://www.fastrackbicycles.com/

Casitas Pass is open as is Ortega Hill in Summerland...We did that on Sunday...but no further north on 192 than Sheffield...we heard it was closed at San Yisidro

Cool, thanks all.