The asphalt was smooth under my bicycle tires as I pedaled along the wending roads of the Santa Ynez Valley. Although I live just 40 minutes away in Santa Barbara, I had never toured the valley by bike and was blissfully reminded of its beauty and serenity, which can be more fully appreciated when one takes the time to slow down and experience the landscape from the saddle.
The bike tour came courtesy of Alisal Ranch, the locally owned cattle/guest ranch made up of more than 10,000 acres near Solvang. Long known for its golf and horseback riding amenities, the guest ranch added a new vacation package to its menu last fall — guided cycling day tours. Cyclers are a common site in the valley, as the area has long been a hotbed of training routes for professional racers and cycling teams thanks to it’s mild weather and undulating terrain.
My companion and I met our guide, Eric Larsen, at 9 a.m. and set out on our excursion. Larsen tailors the ride according to guest specification; we chose a leisurely 25-mile spin to Los Olivos, through back roads that passed vineyards and dipped between the rolling hills. Animals peppered the landscape — horses, cows, and deer were out in abundance chomping on grasses and enjoying the autumn sunshine. The unusual warmth also brought out an ample number of tarantulas, which lined the roadside like cycling enthusiasts cheering us on. For the ambitious, Larsen will take pedalers to the top of Figueroa Mountain, out to Jalama Beach, or on a loop of Highway 1, among other routes.