Comments on: Santa Barbara – Refugio Rd to West Camino Cielo to Santa Ynez Peak Climb

By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 20:07:50 +0000

Well, I must be a creature of habit as in less than two weeks I will once again, I think for the 7th straight year, go from sucky Ohio weather to glorious CA and will again ride up Refugio. This time I am touring with Planet Ultra folks. I know the area as well as any of them but it’s comforting to have a van close by if something happens. I’m inspired by your reports on climbs around Ojai so I probably will try one of them too. Keep the reports coming!

By: rallison

rallison — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 02:53:48 +0000

Thanks! The views along West Camino Cielo really are pretty incredible (as are some of the rock fields – Lizard’s Mouth, the Playground). Funny story about your brother in law. And, Rusack – what a location! We often grab a bottle of their syrah (quite nice for the price) and enjoy a picnic on their patio or lawn. And, for those who don’t feel like packing a picnic, you can get excellent sandwiches at Panino in Los Olivos, just a few miles from Rusack.

Anyway, glad you enjoyed the report and pictures!

By: Gabe Deyo

Gabe Deyo — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 00:58:53 +0000

Really liked your comments and pics of this ride. I was on Refugio by car two weeks ago on my way to rusack and some other wineries in the area. Next day on the way back we went over west camino cielo and the views were amazing. My wife and I are from new York visiting sister and bro-in-law. The funny part was that my bro-in-law was taking us offroading in his new land rover and as we were really climbing west camino cielo I see an old vw bus gaining on us so we let them by and on top we see the old bus pulled over with an old beetle convert that had come up the other way through San Marco pass. I think it somewhat deflated bro-in-law. Found your blog searching for the elevation of Refugio Thanks.

By: rallison

rallison — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 06:46:06 +0000

Sorry for the delay in responding. Refugio is a tough little climb – congrats on making it up! The ascent and descent may be tough, but the views more than make up for the suffering (at least in my opinion).

By: Cliff

Cliff — Wed, 11 May 2011 17:06:40 +0000

Thanks for the description and pics. I did this ride last weekend on my hybrid mountain bike. Chain came off once and I stopped two other times to recover. Really starting to cramp near the top. Turned around at the maintenance sign. The ride down was easier cardio-wise, but you are right, it is rough!

I can see why President Reagan had his ranch on this rode – breathtaking and not too crowded.

By: rallison

rallison — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 18:42:50 +0000

Awesome to hear about the back side of Refugio! Although the storms this year may have changed things, I’ll have to check it out. I’d love to ride the back side. Have fun this month in Santa Ynez! Should be a nice change of pace from Ohio. Have a picnic and some wine at Foxen (at their original, rustic shack location) or Rusack (beautiful, beautiful setting) while you’re out there.

By: Mark Wilson

Mark Wilson — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 17:53:29 +0000

Rallison,

Should have checked in before. Did climb Refuggio from the ocean in August, 2010. The dirt side going into Solvang was graded and cars were driving it. All the deep gutter areas in the middle and sides of the “road” had been filled in. Surface was not yet packed so my wheels would sink in places but I bet now it is ridable, as long as erosion has not recreated the mini “canyons” in the road. Will be back out there in March, 2011 for 10 days and can’t wait. Ohio weather has been worse than normal and in very sad shape for what awaits in Santa Ynez Valley. This time, rather than riding alone, I decided to hook up with Cycling Escapes and try the supported group ride thing for part of my trip.

By: rallison

rallison — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 05:47:30 +0000

Great to hear from someone who has actually done that loop. I’m curious how steep/tough the dirt section is. The views should be incredible along it, at the very least.

Little Pine sounds like a fun suffer-fest. If I ever get a mountain bike, I’ll have to try it out.

By: John Kalstrom

John Kalstrom — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 23:37:48 +0000

I’ve done the Refugio – W. Camino Ciello – San Marcos Pass – 101 loop twice and was in so much pain each time I couldn’t enjoy the scenery. I ate doughnuts, salted cashews, and diet soda (about 3 liters) throughout the trip and never hit the wall aerobically. But it was rough.

The only tougher climb I’ve done was Little Pine. The abandoned mercury mine is somewhere along the way (not far from the Gibraltar Dam) and is very interesting to look around. The trail switchbacks along sun-drenched sandstone walls with no breeze so bring that second 2L bottle.

By: rallison

rallison — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 05:16:46 +0000

Thanks! When I first started, I had to stop every time I wanted to take a photo. This added significant time to my rides. Now, most of my shots are taken while riding. I keep the camera in my jersey pocket and can easily whip it out on most sections and snap a shot (except on descents or really steep sections). I’d say a good 80% or more of shots are taken while riding. The rest don’t usually add too much time (although some descents are so beautiful that I do stop fairly often!).

Enjoy your riding, and please add a comment to any climb that you end up doing with your impressions on the climb!