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.