The Santa Maria Valley is an ideal location for cyclists and enthusiasts alike to enjoy the clean air, meandering hillsides and picturesque scenery of the area.

SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA, USA, June 22, 2017 /EINPresswire.com/ -- (Santa Maria, Calif.) – The Santa Maria Valley is an ideal location for cyclists and enthusiasts alike to enjoy the clean air, meandering hillsides and picturesque scenery of the area. Visit California recently named the Santa Barbara Wine Country Loop one of California’s Best Bike Routes. Visitors are encouraged to take in the area’s healthy lifestyle and naturally unconstrained beauty of the area.

Alison Tetrick, pro cyclist, recommends that riders pair the challenging 96.5-mile ride with an equally hearty tri-tip sandwich in the Santa Maria Valley. Enthusiasts can visit MapMyRide at http://www.mapmyride.com/us/santa-maria-ca/ for a list of Santa Maria Cycling Trails.

Coming July 15, 2017 is the Windmill Century Ride, and is the perfect opportunity for cyclists to pedal their way through the open roads of the Santa Maria Valley.

Organized by the Tailwinds Bicycle Club of Santa Maria, the ride takes place at Pioneer Park, 1150 W. Foster Road in Santa Maria. Riders can choose from the Full Century, Metric Century or Quarter Century. Start times are 6:30 a.m., 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. respectively.

Full Century ~ 100 miles (Elevation +5206 ft.)
This loop heads out towards the hills of Casmalia, and climbs, passing Vandenberg AFB. Then, travel the back roads of Lompoc and head to the authentic Danish village of Solvang where riders will stop for a nourishing lunch. Then it's on through the picturesque roads of Ballard and Santa Ynez. Cyclists will enjoy the winding country roads and the rolling hills along the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail, and head back through the tiny towns of Sisquoc, Garey and through Orcutt where riders complete the journey and enjoy Santa Maria-style barbecue at Pioneer Park by the Santa Maria Elks Lodge 1538.

Metric Century ~ 60 miles (Elevation +2790 ft.)
It is a trip through beautiful back roads where you can take in the picturesque beauty of the Central Coast’s vineyards along the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail.

Quarter Century ~28 miles (Elevation +1035 ft.)
It starts out flat as riders head toward the country roads. There are some hill climbs that may be challenging for beginners but the beauty of the backcountry is worth the effort.

Register at: www.active.com. Registration fees are as follows:
$75: Registration May 21 until June 23 (includes t-shirt)
$85: Registration June 24 until July 12 (No t-shirt)
$85: Day of Ride Registration: (No t-shirt)
Online Registration closes July 12
Extra barbecue meals – $10.00

The registration fee includes: a commemorative t-shirt (before June 24), Support and Gear (SAG), delicious rest stops, route sheets, lunch on the Century route and Santa Maria-style barbecue, featuring beef, chicken or veggie, for everyone at the end of the ride.

Proceeds are used to support the Tailwinds’ bike giveaway and safety program in local elementary schools. For more information, please visit: http://www.tailwindsofsantamariabc.org/century.html

The mission of the Tailwinds Bicycle Club is to promote bicycle safety throughout the community, especially with children. In addition to hosting this ride, the club also donates bikes to the Good Samaritan Shelter, the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Maria, children in the CASA program, students attending Allan Hancock College (in need of a bike to get to and from the college), and provides financial support to the Veterans’ Ride 2 Recovery program, the Campaign Against Distracted Driving and the California and Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalitions (who work with California legislators to encourage the passing of safety laws for cyclists).

While in the Santa Maria Valley, visitors can witness the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge, a unique National and natural landmark featuring 18 miles of remote and largely undisturbed dunes with habitats. Or get some fresh air at Oso Flaco Lake (meaning “skinny bear”) along the 1.5-mile boardwalk, or relax under a canopy of trees and hanging Spanish moss while absorbing the incredible views of the nearby Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes. Santa Maria Valley is where nature and nurture get together.

For those that are just along for the ride, the Santa Maria Valley has launched a new Wine Trolley, an exciting way to explore the wine region. The Santa Maria Valley has one of California’s longest growing seasons and a truly rare transverse geography resulting in the development of complex, flavorful and balanced grapes. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah are specialties. The Santa Maria Valley is a recognized American Viticultural Area (AVA) within Santa Barbara County; the AVA encompasses one of the top wine regions in the world. The Travel Channel named the Santa Maria Valley The New Top 10 Cities for Wine Snobs.

About Santa Maria Valley:
Serving the greater Santa Maria Valley in the heart of California’s Central Coast, the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitor & Convention Bureau is a nonprofit association that facilitates local tourism and provides information on the region’s many attractions and visitor services. Famed for its fine wines, natural wonders, agricultural heritage and flavorful barbecue, the Santa Maria Valley offers a broad range of cultural, sporting and historical experiences. For details on Santa Maria Valley lodging, wine tasting, travel deals and e-newsletter alerts, visit santamariavalley.com or call (800) 331-3779.

Chrisie Yabu
KPS3
775-686-7437
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