Day 20 Santa Maria, CA to Solvang, CA.  39 miles and 1875 feet of climbing.  It was billed as a short day but boy was it packed with power!  As we left Santa Maria we traversed thru 5 miles of agricultural land.  If you have not seen these fields it is difficult to comprehend.  It is really quite an operation.  From there we began climbing into rolling hills, cattle ranches and vineyards.  I easily passed 50 wineries and tasting rooms.  At one point I stopped for a break and was struck with how quiet it was.  There was little wind and it was absolutely silent.  The occasional moo of a cow or the chirp of a bird was the only thing that could be heard.  We were really in some remote country.  Though we only climbed 1875 feet it was quite intense, but the views and descent always made it worthwhile.  Got into Solvang around 12:30 p.m..  It is a Danish "themed" town and is a tourist destination for the wine industry.  Lots of tasting rooms, restaurants, shops, etc..  Walked around, ate lunch and sampled some of the local wines.  It was a nice relaxing afternoon.  Tomorrow we head back to the coast and will be getting closer to the heavily popoulated areas of California.  The staff has warned us that the prettiest areas are behind us and that in Oxnard we need to keep an eye on our bikes and luggage.  Oh well, this tour was billed as a survey of the West coast, the good the better, the best and perhaps the ugly.  I am having a GREAT time but starting to look forward to going home!!

Somebody asked me if Shorty's name is really Shorty, or did I just make it up.  I was offended that anyone would ever think that I would make something like that up!  The answer is that he introduces himself as Shorty (given name is Santiago).  He is not very tall but is one heck of a rider.   At 68 y.o. he is a "fire plug" of a man.  He is a very strong rider and does several Iron Man Triathalons each year.  He is a good room mate and I don't think he is being paid extra to room with me!

 

Strawberry fields forever, as we left Santa Maria.  I read in a local paper that one grower expects to lose $60,000 due to the fact that he can't get the labor to pick his strawberries. 

 

These covered enclosures house raspberries plants.  They are nearly 100 yds long.

 

That is a field in the background not a lake.  The entire field is covered with plastic.  I assume there are plants underneath it?  The rider is John.  At 74 y.o. he is doing his 4th Ride The West.  Rode cross country in 2009 and is planning to do it again next summer,

 

John, Susan, Mark, Barbara, Murray and Jim at the SAG stop.

 

The roads were incredible.

 

 

I rode into the Fess Parker winery and got to see them unloading grapes.

 

The sign says, "Fess Parker" winery.  I am not sure if he is still alive.  He used to play Davey Crocket and Daniel Boone before he went into the wine business.

 

Melanie conquers a huge climb!!

 

The views were breath taking.

 

Am I looking thinner.

 

The woman in the blue shirt is Jenny Mosher.  She spent her entire career working at the University of Tennessee as a Sports Trainer in Pat Summitts basketball program.  She has written a book , "Ice N' Go" and has several book signing events scheduled along the way.  She is a very interesting person and one heck of a rider!  From left to right are Barbara, Cindy, Jenny and Rudy.  Rudy is a 71 y.o. retired professor who lives in Iowa but immigrated here from Switzerland.  He is probably the strongest rider in the group and always good for a laugh.

 

Here is the Topo map of today's ride.  Awesome!!