Solvang to Jalama
 

I had the chance last Saturday to get out of town for a ride in the Santa Ynez valley. It’s a beautiful area with lots of oak trees, flowers, and wineries. I used to go up there all the time, but it’s been quite some time.

This was the weekend of the Solvang DC. I’ve done it several times and would have done it again, but I had granddad duty Sunday. But I tagged along with some friends who were volunteering on the ride, and was able to do a short ride … from Buellton to Jalama and back.

i haven’t ridden with my friend in a while. I’m her informal mechanic. She mentioned a noise when she was pedaling, and asked that I look the bike over.

pedaling noises are notoriously hard to diagnose, but the first place I always look is the pedals. I reached down to try to wiggle the bearings, and the pedal arm and chainrings deflected almost an inch! :eek:

I didn’t have the right tools to fix it, so we went off to a bike shop. Turns out the bolt holding the BB to the crank was almost falling off. Yikes.

That fixed, we headed out in Santa Rosa Road. The scenery is beautiful and the traffic light, but oy … the road is a sucky patchwork of asphalt.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3fa37bbb8.jpeg

But the weather and the scenery more than made up for it.

Eventually, we got to Highway 1, and turned south, heading for Jalama Road.

Jalama Road is even less busy and has better pavement. It involves a steep climb, and a general descent to Jalama State Beach.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...92994ab11.jpeg

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ebaf6fd3a.jpeg

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c8e03f766.jpeg


Jalama is a treasure. A state campground literally miles from anywhere. All by itself on California’s Central Coast. It has great surf (relevant to me in my 20s and 30s) and a cafe that makes the famous “Jalama Burger” (still relevant to me now).

Did we share one? You bet! Here’s the evidence.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...bf0327c85.jpeg

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...dfd3cbc0d.jpeg

The trip back was headwindy, but still fun. And we nixed the bumpy Santa Rosa Road in favor of Highway 246. Busier, but boy did we fly with that tailwind. I think all rides should have a happy ending.

I think the total came to about 70 miles and 4500 feet. A great day. :thumb:

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3b320dbeb.jpeg

I've been to Jalama Beach quite a few times for surfing, never rode out there on a bicycle from Buellton or Solvang. Its north of Point Conception so the waves get ginormous in the winter months when the North Pacific storms start spinning up, but quite managable in the spring/summer/fall. Did you notice any seals/sea lions on the beach? Apparently they've started taking a liking to the area.

It was really windy and cold, so we didn’t spend too much time on the beach itself. We didn’t see any seals or sea lions. Only windsurfers … it was waaaay blown out.

nice report! have had the to/from jalama state beach + burger ride "planned" for far too long. springtime up in that area when all the hills are green is magical.

Santa Rosa Rd. was pretty nice when I first discovered it, maybe 15 years ago. Sounds like it hasn't been paved since then (it's been 8-10 years since I rode it last). 246 was in the middle of the tarantula migration last time I was out there; didn't see any since I rode in the daytime, but there were yards of slick mushy stuff on the pavement. It's a beautiful valley from both sides of the "river" but I especially enjoyed the south side, it was much quieter.

Thanks for sharing!

I've decided my next cycling trip is to California. I love Spain and I'm going back in late May, but Biker395's photos, and those from others, have convinced me. California.

If you like climbing, the Santa Monica Mountains are a good choice. This was yesterday.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e480d5bfc.jpeg

When I lived in Oxnard I used to do the Solvang Prelude 50 miler. Very nice area. I wasn't organized enough to sign up in time for the Century ride. Taking the back roads above SB to the 154 was also a great drive.

scott s.
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looks like off of mully...

Super nice part of the California’s Central Coast.to visit.
Thanks for those motivating pictures.
Loved trips to the Jalama / PtC area in my wind surfing days.
That burger lunch looks yummy!

About 9 years ago, I went to Solvang on a week-long cycling trip with my local club. Everything about the riding there was great, EXCEPT that the roads were in terrible condition. I lived in California 30-40 years ago, and the roads were in much better shape in those days.

Huh. :foo:

Uh, never mind. I deleted the part that made no sense. My bad.

Awesome! Great Ride !
Jalama from the Santa Ynez Valley is the way to do it ! A bunch here do it going from SB/Goleta up the 101 - too crazy for my taste - motor vehicles at 70+ mph+ PLUS the tunnel !!! :eek:

Always 'breezy' at Jalama, but worth the ride out....
..Just back from 5 days at Mammoth, so Skiing had a great conclusion... a great idea - SY to Jalama and back !
Ride On
Yuri

Yep! Right in the center of the pix is the Mulholland/Little Sycamore intersection.

:thumb::thumb: the thread. Title elicits my thinking of Danny MacAskill's *Way Back Home - Edinburgh to Skye*