Bob At BAC Solvang 2012

Rich and I decided to do a short loop ride this morning. We had to check out of our rooms before noon so a longer ride wasn't possible. Besides, we wanted to get home at a reasonable hour. After our good buffet breakfast (I'm going to miss the Danish pastry), we left the parking lot just past 8:30. The temperature was slightly warmer than the day before but it was still cool enough to have on light cold weather gear. The sun was shining brightly.

We rode east on Hwy 246, crossed Hwy 154 and eventually turned onto Happy Canyon Road. The traffic was moderate on 246 and non-existent past 154. The route had lots of rollers through horse ranches and vineyards. The fields were very green.

We turned onto Happy Canyon Road and rode it out a couple of miles to an old narrow bridge. We stripped off some gear and turned around. If we had more time we could have continued on this route which becomes Figueroa Mountain Road and loops back to Los Olivos after climbing 4000 feet or so. I am saving this loop for my next time in Solvang.

Our route back to Solvang was on Baseline Avenue through Los Olivos and then into Solvang. We passed several housing areas which ranged from small ranches to McMansions to affordable houses. We got to our hotel in plenty of time to shower and change our clothes before we had to check out.

We packed up and started our trek home well before noon. We stopped once in Atascadero at a Subway for lunch and arrived home around 5:00.

Here is today's route: