Solvang Road Cycling Camp
Take your training to amazing places!
June 23-30, 2024
Join your BaseCamp coaches and fellow BaseCampers in Solvang, dubbed the Danish Capital of America and one of the most popular cycling regions in California. Nestled in the center of the Santa Barbara County wine country, Solvang is a world-famous cycling destination and has been home to pro training camps for decades, and the Santa Ynez Valley has hosted many professional cycling training camps and stages of the Tour of California. This camp is a great opportunity to experience awesome riding, powerful education sessions, and connection with friends old and new, with full support from the BaseCamp coaching team. You'll receive top-notch on-the-road coaching and have the opportunity to attend optional educational programs to improve your cycling skills, training, and nutrition knowledge.
This camp features coaching and education for riders of all levels! See our ride groups section below for more details.
The Experience
The Riding
Train with an empowering community and spend sunny days getting a rider's-eye view of the mountains of the Los Padres National Forest, tranquil fields of grapevines, and rolling horse ranches. We've selected quiet, picturesque routes, including Figueroa Mountain, the Foxen Wine Trail, Tepesquet Canyon, and Jalama Beach.
The LoDGING
The Corque Hotel is a luxury boutique hotel in the heart of the town of Solvang. The rooms have been recently renovated to reflect the beauty of the Santa Ynez Valley, and it's the perfect place to relax and recover after epic training days.
Want to arrive at camp a day early? The hotel has offered a special rate of $308 for the night of June 22; just call the hotel to reserve a room and mention you're with the BaseCamp group.
Wine Tasting and Food
The Santa Ynez Valley is famous for its wineries, as the local micro climates and terrain make it one of the most diverse grape-growing regions of the world. Local restaurants specialize in farm-to-table offerings along with traditional Danish treats, including the famous Aebleskiver!
The camp includes three group dinners, including one at the beautiful Kalyra Winery, where you can sip wine, chat about your cycling day with a new friend, and watch the sunset from the deck.
The Coaching Support
Take your training and performance knowledge to the next level! Daily rides will feature skills and on-the-bike coaching to help you up your game, and afternoon coach corner sessions build your knowledge and answer your questions in a small group setting.
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Our low coach-to-rider ratio allows for interaction with riders
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We lead a minimum of three ride groups on the road each day, with specific pace and effort targets to help you find the group that is just right for your fitness and skills
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We host daily rider meetings covering key skills like pacelines, descending, climbing, and more
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We hold daily group ride debriefings and evening education presentations led by our world-class coaches
The Weather
The average high temperature in Solvang in the month of June is 70ºF (21ºC), warm enough to spend long days on the bike or sunbathing by the pool. You'll want to bring some warmer clothes for the evenings, as the air typically cools to around 55ºF (13ºC) at night.
Our World-Class Coaching Team
BaseCamp founder and head coach, coach of numerous world and national champions and Olympians, co-developer of WKO, TrainingPeaks WKO product leader
BaseCamp head coach, PhD in applied exercise physiology , MS in sports nutrition, registered dietitian
BaseCamp master coach, former pro road racer, winningest US Pro in history
Camp director, BaseCamp elite coach, MS in athletic training and sports medicine, USAC-certified skills instructor
The low 4:1 rider-to-coach ratio means you'll receive extensive support from our dream team of coaches. Their depth of experience, both in coaching and racing, will greatly benefit both the newer rider and advanced racer alike. Not only will our coaches be giving you real time skills and drills to work on while you're out riding, but they will also be teaching and sharing their knowledge in educational sessions off the bike, too. This is a unique opportunity to work extremely closely with our coaching team to truly advance your skills while riding in a spectacular location. Additional coaching and support will be provided by BaseCamp elite coaches Liz Inglese and Nathan Goates.
A Message from Camp Director Jill Gass
Jill Gass & Liz Inglese
Camp coaches
I want to personally thank you for your interest in this cycling camp! I have been riding and residing in the Santa Ynez Valley for over thirty years and have hosted numerous performance cycling camps and clinics under Revolution Coaching. I was recently offered the great opportunity to become part of the BaseCamp coach collective headed by Tim Cusick and Kathy Watts, and it was an easy YES! I and the BaseCamp team will introduce you to all my favorite routes, including lightly-traveled roads through beautiful vibrant vineyards, thoroughbred horse ranches, and spectacular ocean and mountain views. You'll experience the best the valley has to offer, from riding to wine tasting to local farm-to-fork cuisine.
The Ride Groups
This camp offers three to four separate but similar ride groups that are based on rider performance level and experience. We run at least three ride groups each day, utilizing a low coach-to-rider ratio to ensure individual attention and a positive group ride experience. The routes have been designed to accommodate varying fitness and skill levels. To better help you select the best group for you, we send out a rider survey in advance that will guide you to the correct group. You can change groups daily; it is not required that you ride with the same group throughout the camp.
This camp features three different performance groups to fit a wide range of riders:
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Our Performance Group 1 features faster, advanced riders who attend camp to focus on training and building advanced skills. This group will typically ride faster pacelines and make quick stops.
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Our Performance Group 2 offers a similar experience as Performance Group 1, but at a more moderate pace with a focus on building skills. Stops will be shorter, but there will be time to regroup as needed.
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Our Performance Group 3 will still feature plenty of miles but at a more moderate pace with an emphasis on working on paceline and bike handling skills. Stops will be a bit longer with time for photos and snacks!
Not sure which group you fit into or whether this camp is right for you? Email us for more details or click here to schedule a Zoom meeting with Coach Kathy.
The Travel
Travel
The closest airport to Solvang is the Santa Barbara Airport (SBA), about a 45-minute drive from the camp hotel. The Los Angeles airport (LAX) is 2.5-3 hours from Solvang.
Group arrival shuttles from the Santa Barbara Airport are available at the following times:
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Sunday, June 23, 11:00 a.m.
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Sunday, June 23, 3:00 p.m.
Group departure shuttles to the Santa Barbara airport are available at the following times:
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Sunday, June 30, leaving the hotel at 6:00 a.m.
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Sunday, June 30, leaving the hotel at 11:00 a.m.
If your flight itinerary doesn't allow you to take a group shuttle, it's super simple to hire a taxi or Uber at the airport or book one ahead of time, and there are lots of rental cars available if you'd like to have four wheels available throughout your trip in addition to two.
Travel Insurance
Even with the best possible planning, there are always elements beyond our control like flight delays, illnesses, and family emergencies. A good travel insurance policy will reduce the stress of these situations by covering most (if not all) of their extra cost. We strongly recommend coverage specific to COVID-19. Here’s a helpful guide to finding travel insurance.
Travel support
We're happy to help with travel support and any questions you might have. Contact us and let us help you make the best travel arrangements possible.
The Bike Options
BRING YOUR BIKE
Bringing your own bike to camp has obvious advantages in individual comfort. Before your trip, we suggest getting a tuneup at your local bike shop so it’s ready to roll for your week of riding.
Once at camp, our team will help you assemble your bike and make sure it’s ready to ride. Each day we’ll check to make sure everything is safe and ready to roll; bring your bike in good shape, and we’ll keep it clean, lubed, and running great each day!
Check out these helpful resources:
Ship Your Bike
If you'd like to ship your bike ahead of you, we have partnered with Dr. J's Bike Shop, and they will gladly build your bike for you if it arrives at least five days before you need it. Please contact the bike shop at 805-688-6263 to arrange shipping and receiving.
RENT A BIKE
If you'd like to rent a bike locally for the week, we have partnered with Wine Country Cycling in Ballard, which is 2.5 miles from the camp hotel. Click here to see their available bikes and to reserve yours today!
The Dates and Prices
June 23-30, 2024
What's Included
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Travel planning support
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Group airport transportation at the times specified above
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Seven nights of lodging
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All breakfasts (at hotel), all lunches, and four camp dinners
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Camper safety briefing
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Mechanical support
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Coach-guided daily rides
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Daily ride food and drink
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Afternoon educational programs
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Custom camp jersey for all who register before April 15, 2024
What's Not Included
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Airfare
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Transportation to and from the airport if you can't join our group shuttles
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Additional nights of lodging before or after camp (these can be added to your registration upon request)
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Bike rental
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Dinners other than the three camp dinners
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Gratuities for coaches/guides
Pricing
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$3,795 per person for double occupancy ($2,695 for non-riding attendees)
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$800 upgrade fee for single occupancy
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$250 deposit due upon registration, with remaining payment due 30 days before camp begins
If you're local to Solvang and want to attend the camp without lodging, please contact us to discuss the options.
Guide Gratuities
Guide gratuities are customary and at your own discretion, to recognize service, hospitality, and the little extras that surprise and delight. We suggest a tip for your guides between 5-10% of your trip cost per guest and, of course, you may choose to give more if your guides made your trip an unforgettable experience. Gratuities will be divided among the guide team.
Cancellation Policy
All camp deposits are refundable up to 90 days prior to the first day of the camp, minus a $50 processing fee. Click here to read our full cancelation policy.
The Rides and Itinerary
Sunday, Day 8
Group airport shuttles
Free group shuttles to the Santa Barbara airport will leave the hotel at 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. at the hotel
Camp ends at 11:00 a.m. (hotel checkout time)
