Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition

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Meetings and Bicycling Events

photo of meeting

Here's a shot from our March 4, 2008 meeting that attracted 23 individuals, lasted two hours and covered 12 topics of importance to local bicyclists. Photo by Ralph Fertig.

Our event listings change all the time, so check back to see what's new. For past events from 1998 to the present, look at the archived pages for years 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006. 2007, and 2008. Or use our site search engine on the left.

January 2009

  • January 6, Bicycle Coalition General Meeting, sponsored by our Bicycle Coalition. This is another of our evening meetings so those who cannot attend our noon Downtown meetings can get together and help us consider bicycling improvements. Rusty's Pizza, 15 East Cabrillo Boulevard, Santa Barbara. No-host dinner 6:00 PM, meeting at 7:00 PM. Phone president Ralph Fertig, 962-1479 or email him at sb-ralph@cox.net.
  • January 12, Youth Earn a Bike Class, sponsored by Bici Centro. This is a four-week class meeting twice a week, 3:30-6:00 PM on Mondays and Wednesdays. Ages 12-17. Students learn bicycle repair, street biking safety, and after successfully completing the course will receive a refurbished bike with lock, helmet and lights. 601 E. Montecito Street, Santa Barbara. Program info here.
  • January 12, Learn Your Bike Advanced Adult Class, sponsored by Bici Centro. This is an advanced eight-week class which focuses on troubleshooting and diagnosis of more complicated repairs. Monday evenings 7:00-9:00 PM. Completion of basic course is prerequisite. 601 E. Montecito Street, Santa Barbara. Program registration and details here.
  • January 14, Learn Your Bike Basic Adult Class, sponsored by Bici Centro. This is an eight-week class which focuses on troubleshooting and diagnosis of more complicated repairs. Wednesday evenings 7:00-9:00 PM. Completion of basic course is prerequisite. 601 E. Montecito Street, Santa Barbara. Program registration and details here.
  • January 21-25, Vines to Coast Cycling Package, sponsored by Santa Barbara Wine Country Cycling Tours. Spend 3 nights in Solvang, then 2 nights in Santa Barbara with cycling every day 20-35 miles, or more if you wish. Gourmet lunches, fine dining, deluxe accommodations, vehicle support, and local wines. Details here.
  • January 22, Carpinteria Road Project Public Hearing, sponsored by Caltrans. This public forum will consist of updated presentation on the Draft Environmental Impact Report for a project that includes bikelanes and bikepaths in eastern Carpinteria. You can read the Draft EIR here. It will take place 5:30-8:00 PM at Canalino Elementary School Cafeteria, 1480 Linden Avenue, Carpinteria.
  • January 22 and 24, Street Skills for Cycling Class, sponsored by our Bicycle Coalition. Learn how to cope better with traffic in an urban setting. The class will help you foresee and avoid accidents, be visible day and night, position yourself in traffic, cross freeway bridges, equip your bike, and lots more including on-road bicycling on Saturday. The class is being held at the Granada Garage Bikestation, 1219 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara. Online info and registration are here. Direct any questions to CycleSmart@sbbike.org.
  • January 24, Annual Ride 4 Rwanda, sponsored by Project Rwanda. Meet mountain bike legend Tom Ritchey and go on a 9-mile ride from Goleta Beach with him to raise funds for his Project Rwanda. That organization is devoted to using the bicycle as a vehicle for economic growth and regeneration in a post-genocide Rwanda. Project Rwanda details are at projectrwanda.org. The ride will meet at Goleta Beach County Park at 9:00 AM for Rwandan coffee, baked goods, a T-shirt, and a short talk by Ritchey.
  • January 31, Poor College Kids Road Race, sponsored by UCSB Cycling. This race starts on Zaca Station Road north of Buellton. It's a 17-mile out and back race on quiet country roads with rolling hills. Details here or from Daniel at danielbkatz@umail.ucsb.edu.

February 2009

  • February 1, Mothballs Criterium, sponsored by Echelon Santa Barbarta. There will be over $2500 in prizes given away at this Goleta series of races that run all day 8:00 AM-5:00 PM. Races are held along a 0.65-mile loop course. Information is forthcoming.
  • February 3, Bicycle Coalition General Meeting, sponsored by our Bicycle Coalition. Meeting at noon, first Tuesday of the month. Community Room at the Santa Barbara Bank and Trust building, 1021 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara. Phone president Ralph Fertig, 962-1479 or email him at sb-ralph@cox.net.
  • February 12-22, Amgen Tour of California, sponsored by Amgen. This professional bicycle stage race will attract 16 professional cycling teams from around the world to compete across 750 miles of California roadway from Sacramento to San Diego. Santa Barbara County has been chosen to host the critical time trial in Solvang on February 20. It's estimated that nearly two million will watch the Tour in person. Solvang event details are here.
  • February 20, Tour of California Gala evening, sponsored by the Solvang ATOC Organizing Committee. Held at the Royal Scandinavian Ball Room in Solvang, this year's Gala ibrings you an evening of wine, food, special guests and an auction for $75 per person. Buy your tickets here.
  • February 18-22, Follow the Race Cycling Vacation, sponsored by Santa Barbara Wine Country Cycling Tours. This guided tour will include riding several stages of the Amgen Tour of California¸ including the pivotal Solvang Time Trial, and seeing Lance Armstrong and other top professional cyclists in the world. Deluxe accommodations, gourmet dining, and a wine tasting dinner. Details and registration here.
  • February 18-23, Tour of California-South, sponsored by Trek Travel. Exclusive bike trip that offers a front-row seat for the 2009 Tour of California. Stay in Santa Ynez and San Diego as the Tour progresses through its final stages. BIke on the Tour route 15-70 miles a day. Daily rides, meals, accommodarion. Details here.
  • February 23-March 1, Vision Quest Training Camp, sponsored by Vision Quest Coaching. Organized by professional cyclist Robbie Ventura, a former US Postal Cycling Team member, this week-long camp is for everybody. It runs out of Solvang and is scheduled to follow the Amgen Tour of California. Camp details are on their website www.visionquestcoaching.com.

March 2009

  • March 3, Bicycle Coalition General Meeting, sponsored by our Bicycle Coalition. Meeting at noon, first Tuesday of the month. Community Room at the Santa Barbara Bank and Trust building, 1021 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara. Phone president Ralph Fertig, 962-1479 or email him at sb-ralph@cox.net.
  • March 7, Island View Criterium, sponsored by UCSB Cycling. Returning to Isla Vista for the third year, this day of events includes a collegiate criterium, a public criterium, a cruiser bike race, exhibits and more. Details at UCSB Cycling.
  • March 8, UCSB Road Race, sponsored by UCSB Cycling. It's in Sisquoc, details to follow.
  • March 8-13, Vines to Coast Cycling Package, sponsored by Santa Barbara Wine Country Cycling Tours. Spend 3 nights in Solvang, then 2 nights in Santa Barbara with cycling every day 20-35 miles, or more if you wish. Gourmet lunches, fine dining, deluxe accommodations, vehicle support, and local wines. Details here.
  • March 14, Solvang Century, sponsored by SCOR. The West's big seasonal kickoff ride. Choose 100 or 50-mile rides starting from Solvang. Raffle, Cycling Expo barbecue, and thousands of cyclists. Info and online registration www.bikescor.com or phone SCOR 562-690-9693.
  • March 14-15, Winter Stump Grinder MTB Weekend, sponsored by Stump Grinder Productions. Details forthcoming at www.ridesb.com.
  • March 16-22, Solvang Spring Tour, sponsored by Planet Ultra. Seven days of rides out of Solvang, each ride 30-110 miles long, returning to Solvang each night. Chose each day from a shorter or longer ride. Unique back roads that other organized tours miss. Unsupported, but suggested rest and meal stops are offered along the way. Elevation gains vary from 1500-5000 feet. Details at www.planetultra.com.
  • March 22-27, Central California Coast Cycling Tour, sponsored by Bicycle Adventures. This 6-day tour starts in San Luis Obispo, includes Hearst Castle, and ends with three nights in Solvang, with rides in the Santa Ynez Valley and down to Jalama Beach. Details and registration at www.bicycleadventures.com.
  • March 27-29, Solvang Getaway Weekend Bike Tour, sponsored by Undiscovered Country Tours. Enjoy the rolling countryside of the Santa Ynez Valley. Three days of riding 40-75 miles each day, two nights lodging, most meals, guides, van support. Details at www.udctours.com.
  • March 28, Solvang Double Century, sponsored by Planet Ultra. A whole 193 miles from Solvang to Morro Bay and back. Riders must be pre-registered; staggered starts between 5:00 and 7:30 AM, depending on your estimated total time. Rest stops along the way, sag support. Limited to 550 cyclists. Elevation gain is 7500 feet. Further information at www.planetultra.com/solvang.
  • March 29, Kendra Chiota Payne Memorial Triathlon, sponsored by the UCSB Triathlon Team. This early season olympic distance race is ideal for beginners and veterens alike. The triathlon includes a 25-mile bike leg. Group starts between 8:00-8:50 AM from Campus Point. Details and registration at www.ucsbtriathlon.org.

April 2009

  • April 2-5, Santa Barbara Wine Country Weekend, sponsored by Trek Travel. One night in Solvang, then two in Santa Barbara. Options of 10-50 miles each day. Sunny days with ocean-side cycling, gourmet cuisine, and bold new wines. Afternoons off to stroll and enjoy the two areas. Details here.
  • April 5-10, Morro Bay to Santa Barbara Cycling Tour, aponsored by Santa Barbara Wine Country Cycling Tours. Spend 2 nights in Morro Bay, 2 in Santa Ynez, and 1 in Santa Barbara with guided cycling every day 15-35 miles, or more if you wish. Gourmet lunches, fine dining, deluxe accommodations, vehicle support, bicycle, helmet, and local wines included. Details here.
  • April 7, Bicycle Coalition General Meeting, sponsored by our Bicycle Coalition. This is another of our evening meetings so those who cannot attend our noon Downtown meetings can get together and help us consider bicycling improvements. Madam Lu Chinese Restaurant, 3524 State Street, Santa Barbara. No-host dinner 6:00 PM, meeting at 7:00 PM. Phone president Ralph Fertig, 962-1479 or email him at sb-ralph@cox.net.
  • April 9-13, Santa Barbara Wine Country Weekend, sponsored by Trek Travel. Same as the April 2-5 weekend listed above. Details here.
  • April 16-19, Santa Barbara Wine Country Weekend, sponsored by Trek Travel. Same as the April 2-5 weekend listed above. Details here.
  • April 19 -24, Central California Coast Cycling Tour, sponsored by Bicycle Adventures. This 6-day tour starts in San Luis Obispo, includes Hearst Castle, and ends with three nights in Solvang, with rides in the Santa Ynez Valley and down to Jalama Beach. Details and registration at www.bicycleadventures.com.
  • April 19, Santa Barbara Earth Day, sponsored by the Community Environmental Council. The most pleasant festival in Santa Barbara. It runs from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM and has moved a block north this year to Alameda Park. We are offering our community a booth, bike parking, and free bike check-ups. Earth Day info here.
  • April 23-26, Santa Ynez Valley US Mountain Bike Cup, sponsored by Stump Grinder Productions. Details forthcoming at www.ridesb.com.
  • April 24-26, Solvang Getaway Weekend Bike Tour, sponsored by Undiscovered Country Tours. Enjoy the rolling countryside of the Santa Ynez Valley. Three days of riding 40-75 miles each day, two nights lodging, most meals, guides, van support. Details at www.udctours.com.
  • April 26-May 1, Santa Barbara Wine Country Tour, sponsored by Trek Travel. Three days of rides out of Solvang, then three out of Santa Barbara. Options of 10-50 miles each day. Sunny days with ocean-side cycling, gourmet cuisine, and bold new wines. Afternoons off to stroll and enjoy the two areas. Details here.