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Paso Robles, CA
Last Post 03/01/2015 09:19 AM by Hoshie S. 6 Replies.
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thinline
Posts:323
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| 02/23/2015 08:17 AM |
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Okay, it's been a long winter in Vermont with little relief in sight. Expecting 15 to 20 below at my house tonight, NOT counting wind chill. My solar panels are buried in snow to the point that I can't clear them anymore and the plow piles at the top of my driveway probably won't be fully melted until sometime in May.
So, I get an email from a buddy in Alaska and he wants to meet up in Paso Robles, CA for a week of riding in the second half of April sometime. Anyone with experience riding in the area? Any great tips? Closest airport is in San Louis Obispo, what's it like? Would we be better off flying somewhere farther away (read "larger") just due to logistics etc?
I had a GREAT day skiing yesterday but by the time April rolls around and we still have snow everywhere the way this year is going, California wine country on a bike for 5 or so days sounds awfully tempting!
Appreciate any insights, and if you leave nearby, a chance for a ride and an ice cold beer afterwards!
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zootracer
Posts:833
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| 02/23/2015 10:37 AM |
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I'm from Norcal, not too familiar with Paso Robles. I imagine the weather will be great. Art's Cyclery is in San Luis Obispo (one of my fav online bike shops). You could shoot them a call at 1-800-626-3440 or info@artscyclery.com. 'm sure they will be helpful.
Yeah, I've hit a couple of 70o days in the foothills. Riding with bibs and jerseys. It's like Spring here, but we really need the rain bad.... |
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thinline
Posts:323
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| 02/23/2015 11:12 AM |
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Zoot, thanks for the tip on the LBS. We're mulling over taking the bikes on the plane or shipping. If we ship we'll want a local shop to ship to and from with packing services etc. So, that's very helpful.
Jealous of your temps. Tough year because I love skiing and the snow has been just wonderful and very consistent this year with no thaws or anything. But it has been so bitter cold that I am craving some warmth. Hoping this trip comes together and it's starting to look like it will! |
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SideBySide
Posts:444
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| 02/23/2015 12:57 PM |
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| I can't tell you what it is like now, but 30 years ago there was a lot of beautiful riding. There are a lot of rural roads. The explosion of wineries out there may mean more traffic, but April is a great time to ride, usually warm and sunny. |
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Hoshie
Posts:134
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| 02/27/2015 10:02 AM |
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It will be great that time of year. SLO (San Luis Obispo) is a small airport, but I don't see an issue if you can get the flights at the right price.
I was just there in January. SLO is the college town 30 minutes away and is where the fancier restaurants and university is. PAso is a cow town with a revamped few block downtown and lots of relatively new wineries.
Riding: there is great road and some mtn riding in that whole area. I'd definitely recommend going out of Paso using Peachy Canyon road until it dead-ends to Vineyard Drive, hang a right, then take it to Lake Naciemiento, back into town. Peachy is a rolling vineyard studded road that will give you a great idea of the topography. I just did it for the first time and it was really a great road.
You can also go to the coast - Cambria. A local shop will tell you best routes, but it will be hard to go wrong frankly and lots of loops and options in that area, let alone heading down to SLO or Morro Bay and riding on the coast.
Last thing, if you have an older steel bike, on April 12th, the US version of the famous Italian "L'Eroica" event is being held in Paso Robles. It will be road and dirt with vintage gear. I had planned to do it, but my daughter qualified for a special western states swim meet that same weekend.
Anyway, you should get great weather unless we have late rains and you'll like the topography. It's pretty coastal rolling hills to the West, and flatish valley roads to the East.
J
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thinline
Posts:323
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| 02/27/2015 11:34 AM |
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Thanks, Hoshie! Good info. We're staying in a vacation rental that is owned by a friend of a friend so we're getting a nice deal. Arrive on the 18th, ride the 19th to the 23rd, fly out early on the 24th (that's the plan, finalizing flights this weekend). The AK buddy I am meeting has been there before and the homeowner, who I rode with a few years back and skied with in AK a while ago, will be there the first day. The house has a nice work area with stands for bikes and a pool! Wow, swimming in April? I can hardly imagine the way our VT winter is going. About 12 below this a.m. when I left for work and more of the same overnight tonight.
If you're pedaling in that area during that timeframe and see a tall guy on a Ti Seven with red decals, yell out, Hey, John! |
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Hoshie
Posts:134
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| 03/01/2015 09:19 AM |
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Yes, you'll likely be using the pool!
Enjoy it - you will have a great time.
J |
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