Tours & Zodiacs

Upcoming events

    • 25 Mar 2024
    • 1:00 PM
    • 28 Mar 2024
    • Santa Cruz, Hotel Solares, 600 Riverside Ave., 95060

    Ride:                      153 - 163                      Hilly                          Flexible

    Leaders:   Tom Adams, 916-764-7019, tcadams54@yahoo.com

                     Sandy Yarrow, 916-802-0898, skybike2@gmail.com       

    Description:   Hotel: Hotel Solares, 600 Riverside Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95060

                          Phone: 831-458-9660

                          Room Rates: $110.00 + tax

    You must be a member of the Sacramento Wheelmen Cycling Club in order to participate. Make your reservations by phoning the hotel (831-458-9660). For the Hotel Solares group discount rate ($110 plus tax), provide our group code (“Zodiac”) and make your reservation by March 10. There will be two beds in all rooms set aside for us. Social hour (beer and snack food included) will be in the Hotel Solares inner courtyard following the ride each day. Dave Grattendick is hosting dinner at his Santa Cruz home on Monday, March 25. Whether you stay at the Hotel Solares or not, please RSVP the

    ride leader at tcadams54@yahoo.com. Are you staying at the Hotel Solares? Are you going to the hosted dinner on Monday? Please let the ride leader know if two of you are sharing a room so that he has an accurate head count. $10 donation appreciated.

    Ride Itinerary:  Rides on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday start at the Hotel Solares. Wednesday’s ride starts in Pescadero.

    2024 Santa Cruz Zodiac Itinerary:

    March 25: After you arrive in Santa Cruz, this short ride (22.3 miles) heads east from the Hotel Solares and does a loop through Scotts Valley. Total climbing: 1,528 feet. At the end of the route, we go down to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, go to the end of the wharf, and then back to the hotel on a bicycle trail.


    Start time: 1 pm.

    GPS route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45067478


    March 26:  Pescadero-Tunitas Creek. Two routes to choose from: 55 miles and 6,147 feet of climbing or 45 miles and 4,347 feet of climbing. Pescadero is a 36.8-mile drive from Santa Cruz. Park along the south side of the road at the intersection of Stage Rd & Pescadero Creek Rd. The short ride stops for lunch at Alice’s Restaurant (mile 25). You can get anything you want, so long as it’s on the menu. Those on the long route have several refuel options to choose from in Woodside (mile 29).

    Start time: 9:45 am

    GPS route:  Short route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/7058183

                        Long route:  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/7058148


    March 27:  This route from the Hotel Solares heads south and then east, climbing to the Summit Store (mile 34.2) for lunch by going up Eureka Canyon Road and then Highland Way. After lunch, the screaming downhill goes through Soquel and into Capitola where we regroup at Gayle’s Bakery and Rosticceria (mile 46.4). When you get back to the Hotel Solares you will have covered 51.7 miles and 3,735 feet of climbing.

    Start time: 9 am.

    GPS route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45107320

    Option contingent upon someone willing to lead it: Hotel Solares to Gizdich Pie Shop in Watsonville. 47 miles and 2,148 feet of climbing.

    GPS route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42209949

    March 28: After you check out, please join us for a very scenic and challenging ride of 34.2 miles and 2,986 feet of climbing that passes through Bonny Doon. Heading northeast from the Hotel Solares, the route climbs steadily for the first 13 miles and then descends 8 miles to the coast, turning south on Highway 1 to get back to Santa Cruz. We cruise through the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk on protected lanes one more time.

    Start time: 9:30 am.

    GPS route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38851488


    • 13 Apr 2024
    • 12:00 PM
    • 29 Apr 2024
    • Christchurch, New Zealand

    Ride:       500+        Flat/Rolling/Moderate/Hilly/Mountainous        Flexible / Training

    Leaders:     Debra Lebish, 916-501-3317, deb.lebish@gmail.com

      Description:  We have an incredible cycling trip planned for April, 2024, a small group trip to New Zealand.  New Zealand (NZ) is considered one of the most beautiful countries in the world, no one would dare deny that.  It has it all – beautiful coastlines, frozen glacial splendor, and rolling pastures – not to mention plenty of grape juice to go around.  What’s not to love?  NZ can be pricey but it doesn’t have to be!  A NZ outfitter put together a cycling trip for us that focuses on the showstopper sights of the South Island, but at a wholesale price for our club.  


      The route is a counterclockwise loop that starts and ends in Christchurch.  The trip starts in mid-April, which is just past high season meaning that airfares are less expensive and road traffic is reduced but weather is still good.  Our route allows you to experience the raw beauty of the land  while riding your bike – so much to see!   We circumnavigate the island from motel to motel; the location of motels basically determines how far we have to ride for the day.  Most of the rides are similar in distance/elevation that we do all the time at home but there are a few that will push the envelope, nothing that can’t be overcome!  This trip will be well-supported with minibuses, with a bus ahead and at the back of the riders to setup lunch stops and help with any issues.  These 17 days will be more than just cycling  - we will also have an opportunity to check out the iconic sights of the South Island.  


      The Cycling routes  that we will ride are known and proven through multiple years of use.  The outfitter, NZ Bicycle Tours, is well-regarded and very experienced leading cycling tours - feel free to check them out on Trip Advisor. 


      Trip Overview:


      16 nights, 17 days


      Sunday, April 13 – 29, 2024


      Start and End City:  Christchurch


      This is an INCREDIBLE value at NZD 7260 (~$4320 USD on Sept 9) double occupancy)  – about $250/day.  The  exchange rate is very favorable for us right now so it is time to strike.  Single supplement is NZD 2100 (~$1250 USD on Sept 9).


      Bike rental is included (upgrade available)


      The tour is full at present. Contact the ride leader to be on the waiting list.




      • 14 May 2024
      • 21 May 2024
      • Grants Pass, Hotel in Grants Pass (To be determined)

      Ride:             350+          Hilly         Flexible

      Leader:   Tim Koch, 916-952-9026, mtkoch44@aol.com 

      Description:  Costs:  $160 (Initially, I announced $150 at the November Zoom meeting but after looking closely at last year’s budget, I had to increase it by $10.)

      Dates:  May 15 - 21, with May 14th and 22nd as commute days. Several will opt to drive the 7½ hours home after the ride on May 21st so there will be a short ride option on this day.

      Changes for this year:  We will not have a truck to haul cases of beer, wine and sodas. Part of the reduced fee of $40 from last year is so everyone can buy their own drinks of choice.  Drinks will no longer be paid for by the club.

      This year’s tour will have seven days of bicycling out of two towns in Oregon.  Our first town will be Grants Pass with four days of bicycling and then we will move to Ashland for three days of bicycling.  The terrain can run from flat to mountainous.  We will have our cars with us at the hotels.  Therefore, no luggage truck is needed.  Geoff Holloway will be our lone SAG driver. 

      With our vehicles, we will have the ability to drive to start locations and see sites that are too far away for a bicycle.  We will park at the Rouge River Overlook State Park and do a 48-mile round-trip ride up to the Crater Lake Village which overlooks Crater Lake.  An optional longer day of 70+ miles would be to ride around Crater Lake.  We climb when our legs are fresh and enjoy the downhill upon return.  Another 40-mile route is to park our cars at Cave Junction and bicycle 20 miles uphill to the Oregon Cave’s National Park.  We can do a tour of the caves before the easy downhill ride back to the cars.  Two other routes are in the works.  A loop ride taking us to the town of Galice.  Galice market/restaurant is a great stop for brunch or lunch at its nice balcony overlooking the Rouge River.  A fourth route will take us through a valley to the interesting town of Jacksonville.  Jacksonville is a great lunch stop.  We will return via Gold Hill and along the Rouge River route.

      From Grants Pass, we get in our cars and travel to the hotel in Ashland.  One route has been planned at this time out of Ashland and up to Mt. Ashland ski area.  This is a 47-mile route.  The first half is uphill followed by the always welcomed downhill return.  A second route will probably be on the bike trail that will take us all the way from Ashland to Medford plus a loop of some sort in Medford.


      • 10 Sep 2024
      • 30 Sep 2024
      • Start: Toulouse, France End: Madrid Spain

      Ride leader: Linda Lasswell (phone: 916-204-8739) swvpll@gmail.com

      Description: 500+ miles, the France portion is Mountain Goat and Spain is Rolling Hills

      This is a Self-Guided Tour,  there will be approximately 40 routes to choose from and route information will be released once the tour is booked. Rides will be on ride with GPS, you will pare up with riders of your speed and ability and enjoy the challenging terrain.  There will be no ride leaders provided by the tour company. 

      All registration and bike rentals are handled through Sierra Sports.  There will be a choice of bikes based on components and electronic shifting or mechanical shifting. E-Bikes are available and you can add battery extension. 

      While in France we will have a support vehicle that will provide mechanical assistance and can carry snacks and water. In an emergency they can sag a few people back.  You will have the option to ride the bus on transfer days or ride to the next location.
      There will be options for things to do and see on non riding days.  The final route will be available by the end of January.   We hope to have final registration done by 1/22 or soon after.   Invoices  with final pricing will be sent during the week of 1/22/24.

      There will be 5 transfer days. The large bus and trailer will be available on those days only to save on the cost.
      We have room for only 4 bike boxes (for people bringing their own bikes) and 3 are reserved at this time.
      Breakfast and dinner are included in the trip price.  Please note while in Spain dinner will be much later.  That being said, breakfast and ride start times will also be later.  This is subject to change if we have a full trip of 30 riders.  We do have space for non-rider partners on the trip.
      As of 1/20 2024: we have 25 riders and 2 non-riders. 3 on the fence!

      • 14 Oct 2024
      • 18 Oct 2024
      • Paso Robles, Adelaide Inn
      Ride:                 100 - 200                    Hilly                    Flexible

      Leaders:    Steve & Sheila Forsberg, 916-801-8295, rosevillesteve@gmail.com                    Glenn & Mary Moore, 916-524-7785, glenni55@surewest.net

                    

      Description:   Travel days: Oct 14, 2024 & Oct 18, 2024     

                             Start: Oct 15, 2024      End:  Oct 17, 2024


      Organized group rides will start on Tuesday, October 15th (Tom Goodwin's 99th birthday) and ending Thursday, October 17th.  You may opt to do a short ride on Friday the 20th before heading back to Sacramento.  You may also select your own rides from a variety of routes that are available.


      Location:  Adelaide Inn, 1215 Ysabel Ave., Paso Robles, CA  805.238.2770

      A block of rooms, under the Sacramento Wheelmen, has been negotiated.





       





      • 30 Mar 2025
      • 16 Apr 2025
      • New Zealand

      Ride:     500+     Flat/Rolling/Moderate/Hilly/Mountainous      Flexible / Training

      Ride Leader:   Debra Lebish, 916-501-3317, deb.lebish@gmail.com

        Description:  By popular demand we are planning another trip to New Zealand!!  We have another small group NZ cycling trip in the scheduling stage – this time in late March, 2025.  New Zealand (NZ) is considered one of the most beautiful countries in the world, no one would dare deny that.  It has it all – beautiful coastlines, frozen glacial splendor, and rolling pastures – not to mention plenty of grape juice to go around.  The trip will be similar to the 2024 NZ trip.  

        The Cycling routes that we will ride are known and proven through multiple years of use.  The outfitter, NZ Bicycle Tours, is well-regarded and very experienced leading cycling tours - feel free to check them out on Trip Advisor. 

        Preliminary Trip Overview:

        16 nights, 17 days

        Sunday, March 30 - April 16, 2025

        Start and End City:  TBD

        PRICE:  TBD.  2024 prices were NZD 7260 with single supplement of NZD 2100.  Prices will no doubt be higher due to inflation and high travel demand.    

        Bike rental is included (upgrade available)

        Please contact Ride Leader if you are interested in going. 


      Past events

      09 Jan 2024 Napa Zodiac
      16 Oct 2023 Paso Robles Zodiac
      18 Sep 2023 Wheelmen Italy Tour 2023
      07 Aug 2023 2023 Santa Cruz Zodiac
      22 Jul 2023 2023 RAGBRAI L (50th)
      25 Jun 2023 2023 Oregon Tour
      26 May 2023 Northwest Tandem Rally 2023
      02 May 2023 Guerneville Zodiac
      23 Apr 2023 Springtime in Mallorca
      11 Apr 2023 Winters Zodiac
      27 Mar 2023 2023 Santa Cruz Zodiac-CANCELLED: MOVED TO AUG 7-AUG 10
      20 Mar 2023 NOTE: DATE CHANGE - 2023 Santa Cruz Zodiac - NOW MARCH 27-MARCH 30
      10 Jan 2023 Napa Zodiac - CANCELLED
      05 Sep 2022 Northern Italy 2022
      07 Aug 2022 2022 Oregon All Hotel Tour
      30 Jul 2022 2022 Oregon Tour - CANCELLED
      23 Jul 2022 2022 RAGBRAI
      01 Jul 2022 Northwest Tandem Rally
      03 May 2022 Guerneville Zodiac
      28 Mar 2022 2022 Santa Cruz Zodiac
      11 Jan 2022 Napa Zodiac
      20 Sep 2021 Wheelmen Italy Tour 2021
      25 Jul 2021 2021 RAGBRAI XLVIII
      25 Jul 2021 2021 Oregon Tour
      02 Jul 2021 Northwest Tandem Rally - CANCELLED
      15 Jun 2021 Mt. Shasta Zodiac
      03 May 2021 Guerneville Zodiac-CANCELLED-Contact Ride Leader for Information
      22 Mar 2021 Santa Cruz Zodiac-CANCELLED-Contact Ride Leader for info
      12 Jan 2021 Napa Zodiac-CANCELLED
      14 Sep 2020 Wheelmen Italy Tour 2020 - CANCELLED
      26 Jul 2020 2020 Oregon Tour - CANCELLED
      23 Jun 2020 Mt. Shasta Zodiac - CANCELLED
      01 Jun 2020 Guerneville Zodiac - CANCELLED
      04 May 2020 Guerneville Zodiac RESCHEDULED TO JUNE 1
      16 Mar 2020 Santa Cruz Zodiac - CANCELLED
      09 Feb 2020 Death Valley Tour
      14 Jan 2020 2020 Napa Zodiac
      16 Sep 2019 Paso Robles Zodiac
      20 Aug 2019 France 2019
      21 Jul 2019 2019 Oregon Tour
      20 Jul 2019 RAGBRAI
      04 Jul 2019 Northwest Tandem Rally
      24 Jun 2019 Mammoth Lakes Zodiac
      06 May 2019 Guerneville Zodiac
      11 Mar 2019 Santa Cruz Zodiac
      10 Feb 2019 Borrego Springs Zodiac
      08 Jan 2019 Napa Zodiac
      01 Oct 2018 Paso Robles Zodiac
      10 Sep 2018 Wheelmen Italy Tour 2018
      01 Sep 2018 Secrets of Hokkaido Tour
      04 Aug 2018 2018 Oregon Club Tour
      22 Jul 2018 RAGBRAI 2018
      24 Jun 2018 Bicycle Tour of Colorado
      18 Jun 2018 Lake Almanor Zodiac
      21 May 2018 Santa Cruz Zodiac Rescheduled
      30 Apr 2018 Guerneville 2018 Zodiac
      12 Mar 2018 Santa Cruz Zodiac RESCHEDULED FOR MAY 21
      09 Jan 2018 Napa Zodiac
      02 Oct 2017 Paso Robles Zodiac
      30 Sep 2017 Ride to Paso Robles Zodiac
      25 Sep 2017 Lake Tahoe Zodiac
      28 Aug 2017 Germany Tour
      29 Jul 2017 2017 Oregon Crater Lake Club Tour
      12 Jun 2017 Mt. Shasta Zodiac
      01 May 2017 Guerneville Zodiac
      13 Mar 2017 Santa Cruz Zodiac
      05 Feb 2017 Borrego Springs Zodiac
      10 Jan 2017 Napa Zodiac
      28 Oct 2016 San Francisco Zodiac
      26 Sep 2016 Wheelmen Italy Tour 2016 (Groupo 2)
      12 Sep 2016 Wheelmen Italy Tour 2016 (Groupo 1)
      06 Aug 2016 Ride Idaho
      31 Jul 2016 2016 Southwest Oregon Club Tour
      24 Jul 2016 RAGBRAI XLIV
      14 Jun 2016 Mt. Shasta Zodiac
      02 May 2016 Guerneville Zodiac
      14 Mar 2016 Santa Cruz Zodiac
      07 Feb 2016 Death Valley Tour
      12 Jan 2016 Napa Zodiac
      18 Oct 2015 San Francisco Zodiac
      05 Oct 2015 Paso Robles Zodiac
      07 Sep 2015 Markleeville Zodiac
      26 Jul 2015 Three Sisters Oregon Club Tour
      07 Jun 2015 Mammoth Lakes Zodiac
      04 May 2015 Guerneville Zodiac
      09 Mar 2015 Santa Cruz Zodiac
      08 Feb 2015 Death Valley Days
      13 Jan 2015 Napa Zodiac
      10 Jan 2015 Vietnam Grand Tour
      04 Nov 2014 Jackson Zodiac
      17 Oct 2014 Blue Moon Zodiac
      06 Oct 2014 Paso Robles Zodiac Take 2
      25 Sep 2014 Oceanside Ride
      27 Aug 2014 Tour of Italy
      02 Aug 2014 Oregon Club Tour 2014, "Glide Down the Drain"
      20 Jul 2014 RAGBRAI XLII
      07 Jul 2014 Tour de Sur
      17 Jun 2014 Mt. Shasta Zodiac
      05 May 2014 Guerneville Zodiac
      10 Mar 2014 Santa Cruz Zodiac
      10 Feb 2014 Borrego Springs Zodiac
      14 Jan 2014 Napa Zodiac
      12 Nov 2013 Tour de Venetian
      05 Nov 2013 Jackson Zodiac
      11 Oct 2013 San Francisco Zodiac
      01 Oct 2013 Occidental Heavy Bike Tour
      08 Sep 2013 San Juan Islands Tour
      05 Aug 2013 Pt. Reyes (Oregon Tour Replacement Ride)
      24 Jun 2013 Mammoth Lakes Zodiac
      10 Jun 2013 DooDah
      13 May 2013 Guerneville Zodiac
      13 May 2013 Continental Divide
      09 May 2013 Self Contained 101
      27 Apr 2013 Barcelona-Andorra Tour
      12 Apr 2013 Mallorca, Spain
      11 Mar 2013 Santa Cruz Zodiac
      11 Feb 2013 Borrego Springs Zodiac
      15 Jan 2013 Napa Zodiac
      12 Jan 2013 Hawaii
      06 Nov 2012 Jackson Zodiac
      22 Oct 2012 Ride To Capitola
      08 Oct 2012 Paso Robles Zodiac
      05 Oct 2012 Ride to Paso
      30 Aug 2012 Wheelmen France Tour
      04 Aug 2012 Oregon Club Tour
      22 Jul 2012 RAGBRAI 2012
      09 Jul 2012 Tour of Central California Coast aka Big Sur
      25 Jun 2012 Mt. Shasta Zodiac
      23 Jun 2012 Cycle the Sierra
      07 May 2012 Guerneville Zodiac
      16 Apr 2012 Occidental Zodiac
      12 Mar 2012 Santa Cruz Zodiac
      13 Feb 2012 Borrego Springs Zodiac
      16 Jan 2012 Napa Zodiac
      08 Nov 2011 Jackson Zodiac
      11 Oct 2011 Heavy Bike Tour
      03 Oct 2011 Paso Robles Zodiac
      Copyright © Sacramento Wheelmen              Club Mailing Address: Sacramento Wheelmen, P.O. Box 3083Carmichael, C95609-3083
      Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software
      UA-73702822-1