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1. When does my Santa
Barbara Wine Country and Coast Cycling Vacation begin?
Your vacation will begin
when we meet you at the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport in Santa
Barbara, California and transfer you to the Four Seasons
Biltmore Hotel. Following check-in, our mechanics will
build up your bike for you while you relax with a walk along the
beach, explore town, or unwind in the spa. Later this evening, we
will introduce everyone at our "Welcome Meeting and Dinner"
at the Four Seasons Biltmore.
2. What gears should
I plan on using and can I ship my bike?
The rides on this vacation range from 35 - 60 miles and the terrain
varies from hilly to mountainous climbs. Thus, unless you regularly
ride in mountainous terrain, you should have a triple /compact crank
on the front and, at the minimum, a 25 or 26-tooth cog on the rear
for your largest gear. Please follow these gear ratios so you'll
enjoy the rides to a greater degree. Also, if you would like to
ship your bike in advance, please contact
us as we have an agreement with the best company in the world
for shipping bikes. They have been batting 100% for us and our guests
for the past 6 years!
3. How many meals
are included?
All breakfasts, 3 group dinners, Welcome Cocktail and tickets to
the Wine Harvest Festival.
4. Do you provide
full sag support on the vacation?
Yes, we will provide full sag support during your entire vacation.
Our support vehicles will be stationed at various points along the
cycling route and stocked with chilled bottled water, ClifBar drinks
and gels, pastries, fruit, and cookies. Each day's itinerary and
the location of the sag support vans will be discussed each prior
evening during a brief group meeting before dinner. It is highly
recommended, however, that you please bring your own drink powders
with you if you have a flavor you just can't do without. The reason
for this is that everyone has different tastes, sensitivities, and
responses to various sports drinks. Again, if you have a drink or
energy bar that you simply can't do without, please bring it with
you. Thanks!
5. What kind of weather
should we expect?
Cycling in the Santa Barbara Wine Country and Coast is wonderful
throughout the year! Temperatures range from the mid-60's in the
mornings to the mid-80's in the afternoons. The evenings are quite
pleasant and a bit cooler in the mountains so you will want to make
sure you have a light pullover, sweater or fleece top with you so
you don't get a chill.
6. What is the group
size for this program?
The group size will be 20 riders maximum. We are keeping the group
level small to insure that everyone gets the needed attention during
their vacation.
7. What is included
in the price of the vacation?
- 5 nights of accommodations at Velo Echappe' selected luxury
properties.
- All breakfasts, 3 dinners, 1 Welcome Cocktail and tickets to
the Wine Harvest Festival.
- All gratuities, taxes, and fees for all hotels, meals, and porter
services.
- Daily guided challenging cycling on routes of between 35 - 60
miles.
- All luggage transfers, and on-road sag support in our support
vehicles.
- All daily prepared routes with maps and cue sheets detailing
each days route with each turn and its corresponding mileage.
This is all outlined for you in advance.
- Professional mechanics and staff with a ratio of 1:6 so everyone
gets the needed attention during the tour.
- Wine Tasting with local wine experts.
- Professional Velo Echappe Cycling Jersey.
- Daily supply of bottled water, Clifbar drinks and gels, fruit,
cookies and other goodies to keep you fueled on the road!
- Cell phone communications.
- Pre-Tour Information Packet that will be sent out to you in
advance detailing each day's program, hotel info, sponsor info,
what to bring, how to pack, etc. so you're fully prepared before
you leave home.
8. What is not included
in the price of my vacation?
Airfare to and from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport, lunches, lodging
before and after the vacation, two dinners, any gratuities for Velo
Echappe' staff, and any incidentals.
9. When does my
Santa Barbara Wine Country and Coast Cycling Vacation end?
Your trip ends at the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport between 10:30
am - 11:00 am on the final day of your trip. Thus, please make all
of your flight reservations for after 12:30 pm. Thanks!
10. How do I transport
my bike on my flight?
We recommend the Thule 699 Round Trip Travel Case. Please call us
at 402.345.7445 for special discounted pricing.
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