Tag: Santa Barbara Bike Rentals

Photo by: Lara Cooper / Noozhawk

More than 2,500 cyclists made their way through Santa Barbara County on Friday, winding their way through the valley, down Highway 101 and eventually traversing the Santa Barbara waterfront as they pedaled through the sixth day of their week-long trip.

The cyclists were part of the AIDS/LifeCycle event, a seven-day bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles to raise money and awareness in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

They’ve been on an epic journey across the state and will have covered 545 miles by the time event is through. The race started June 1 and will wrap up on Saturday in Westwood.

The cyclists took a lunch break at Girsh Park on Friday, where Noozhawk caught up with cyclist Dusty Klass, a UCSB alumna who now lives in Culver City but was excited to be back on the South Coast of Santa Barbara County.

“It is amazing to be back in Santa Barbara,” she said. “This is where I learned how to ride a bike. All of the roads are familiar.”

On Friday morning, the riders started in Lompoc, climbed over the Gaviota Pass — Klass estimated an elevation gain of about 1,100 feet — and then on to Highway 101 and onto Hollister Avenue through Goleta. They would end the day at San Buenaventura State Beach, an 84-mile ride for the day, she said.

They’ve averaged about 80 miles a day throughout the ride.

She’s been doing the ride since studying at UCSB, and said “this community is really addictive.”

“Whenever I find people who have given up on the world, I always tell them to do this ride,” Klass said. “It always reminds me how caring people are.”

It’s not unusual if riders arrive early at a campsite to set up a tent for those who have yet to finish the ride, she said, and that people step up to care for one another.

This year takes on an extra significance for Klass as she rode close to Isla Vista in the aftermath of the shootings that took place there May 23.

She decided to put up a banner for people to sign, which said simply “ALC Stands with UCSB” and gave people the chance to sign it.

“I’ve been watching people come up and sign it and it’s been strangely healing,” she said, adding that she’s met UCSB alumni on the ride she didn’t even know were there.

Original article posted on NoozHawk

Trying to out race the imminent incoming rain, the Amgen Tour of California riders took off with a burst of energy on Thursday morning. If you’d like to find out more info about our road bike rentals, or make a reservation, feel free to contact the Santa Barbara Fitness Tours team today!

Video sourced from KEYT

Cabrillo Beach Blvd. Bike Trail is the most popular Santa Barbara bike ride. Distance is approximately 4.5 miles long from Sterns Wharf to East Beach, then back to the Santa Barbara Harbor. A paved bike trail follows the beach along Cabrillo Blvd. Shop at Sterns Wharf and the Harbor. Bathrooms along the way, as well restaurants on Sterns Wharf, at East Beach and in Santa Barbara Harbor. Easy ride and good for kids.

Leadbetter Beach to Hendry’s Beach (also called Arroyo Burro) is my favorite beach ride. First, always check the Santa Barbara Tides This Santa Barbara bike ride just north of the Harbor. Distance is appoximately 7-8 miles roundtrip. A moderate ride for a fat tire bike. 1st, check the beach for sand. Sometimes the winter and spring storms wash the sand away leaving a rocky and un-bikable beach. Mid-summer to late fall is best for lots of hard-packed bike riding sand. Bathrooms are at either end of the ride. Lots of tidepools along the way. Don’t get caught on incoming tide, or you won’t be able to ride around the points. There are two places where stairs lead up to the bluff, should you need to exit the beach. Local tip: Once you get to Hendry’s Beach, look north to Campus Point. If the tide’s low enough, add another few miles on to your ride, or return another day and ride from Hendry’s to Campus Point and back.

Stern’s Wharf to Montecito Village is a favorite Santa Barbara bike ride. Begin at Sterns Wharf and ride the bike trail south to the Bird Sanctuary. Then turn up the hill adjacent to the cemetary, following the bike trail to the Biltmore and Butterfly Beach. Turn left on Olive Mill, then right on Danielson, before crossing over the 101. Danielson takes you to San Ysidro Rd. Take San Ysidro up the hill to the little village center of Montecito. This ride is a scenic coastal route with restaurants and shops at Sterns Wharf and Montecito Village. Moderate somewhat hilly ride approximately 7-8 miles roundtrip.

Sterns Wharf to Carpinteria is a 26 mile roundtrip Santa Barbara bike ride. Much of it along the frontage road of highway 101. Some hills. Stop in Summerland at the Summerland Beach Cafe for breakfast or lunch.

Stern’s Wharf to Montecito Route via Route 192 is a challenging and somewhat difficult Santa Barbara bike ride about 14 miles roundtrip. This ride encompasses sections of the rides mentioned above, except it’s more difficult. The first part of the ride takes you from Sterns Wharf up State Street through the heart of Santa Barbara. Restaurants and shops along the way tempt you to lock up your bike and have a look, or a bite to eat. After you pass Mission Street, turn right on Los Olivos Street. It’s a steep uphill climb past Santa Barbara’s Old Mission. Just past the Mission, look for Mountain Dr. to your right. The climb begins in earnest all the way up and along the foothills of Santa Barbara. There are great vistas of Santa Barbara and the Pacific Ocean, so bring your camera. The mountain road changes names several times, but keep following signs for Route 192 and you’ll be fine. Once you pass through the little village of Montecito, it’s downhill along a beach route back to Sterns Wharf. This is a favorite, but difficult, ride. Don’t keep it a secret!

Sterns Wharf via Summerland and Montecito is a challenging ride of approximately 22 miles. Begin at the dolphin fountain at the foot of Sterns Wharf. Plan on stopping for breakfast or lunch at either the Summland Beach Cafe (just south of Ortega Hill Rd and Evans) in Summerland, or Pierre LaFond (at East Valley Road and San Ysidro Road) in Montecito. The ride climbs into the foothills of Santa Barbara along shady lanes. Bring your camera and plenty of water.

If you didn’t bring a bike on your visit, feel free to contact us to schedule a bike rental. We recommend a beach cruiser rental for the less strenuous rides, or a road bike rental if you plan on doing a more challenging ride.

Original article posted on Santa Barbara Day Trip

Even if you don’t own a bike, or you’re visiting and didn’t bring it, road bike rentals in Santa Barbara will enable you to do take these extraordinary rides through town.

One great source of road biking rides comes from the Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition. They have crafted a number of rides that will inspire as many road bike rentals in Santa Barbara as there are unequipped riders. Some locals already own a bike. But if you live here and you’d like to try a fantastic road bike or if you’re from out of town, renting may be the perfect answer. Here are some fabulous rides the SBBC has put together.

Santa Barbara Bicycle Ride. This ride is 10.8 miles long, passing through the heart of downtown Santa Barbara. It passes the County Courthouse, city parks, and the old Santa Barbara Mission. You’ll ride in bike lanes most of the way, and cross Highway 101 on a bike bridge. The ride ends with a three-mile down hill ride with sweeping views of the mountains, ocean and harbor.

Mountain Drive Bicycle Ride. If you like vertical, this 15.9 mile-ride will take you up 800 feet above Santa Barbara. Your efforts going up will afford spectacular views from winding Mountain Drive. When you descend, you’ll pass through Montecito gated estates, historic hotels, and plentiful dining opportunities. You return to the start past Santa Barbara Cemetery, the Bird Refuge and East Beach.

Goleta Bicycle Ride. Starting from Goleta Beach, this flattish 21.2 mile ride heads west from the beach, through the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB). You’ll pass from the beach through the University, quiet residential areas, lemon and avocado orchards, La Cumbre shopping center, and return to your starting point.

Sideways Film Location Rides I&II. These rides each begin and end in Solvang. They are 50.0 and 52.3 miles long, respectively.

The first ride starts west along Highway 246 to Lompoc, returning along Santa Rosa Road. The 18 miles on Santa Rosa Road offer you what many consider the best bike ride in Santa Barbara County. You will pass three restaurants, a bar, golf course, motel, winery and of course Ostrich Land—all film locations.

The second Sideways film location is tougher–you’ll get a good bit of vertical climbing heading north through quiet Los Olivos, then through the Foxen Canyon Wine Country. There are four wineries along the way, plus the Los Olivos Cafe, all film locations. Firestone Winery even supplies a bike rack for visitors!

So if you need a road bike rental in Santa Barbara before taking one of these rides, stop in and see us.