How to get your miles in on your trip?

 

I know, I get it, Road Work planning sounds like you’re training and not going on a trip or vacation. I know some of you are asking yourself now – really there’s a difference? So whether your style is training is life, or you just want to get in a few good rolls while you’re Wine Tasting, there are definitely some logistics you want to work out for yourself and everyone you’re traveling with to ensure everyone has a great time.

For those that are the training is life types and are always scheming of ways to maximize the road time by planning more miles for your companions than they likely will enjoy or tolerate, below are some options and considerations to think about.

 

Step 1 Decide on your training goals

 

First you need decide your Road Work goals, and how they fit into your Wine Country experience. Here are a few types:

 

 

Type	Goals
Mileage Maximizer	The goal of a Mileage Maximizer is to get in as many miles as possible in Wine Country. Riding through Wine Country is enough, visiting Wineries along the way may not be as important as selecting routes and terrain that offer the best challenge and experience on the road
Wine Country Taster	There their to taste wines, enjoy a good time, and be outdoors on a casual ride to take in the beautiful Wine Country as they taste. They are NOT trying to maximize mileage but see riding as a fun way to enjoy the Wine Country. They aren’t open to longer, or more strenuous routes.
Mixed	You have members of your party that are Mileage Maximizers and Wine Country Tasters. This is very common, and requires more planning efforts and coordination.

 

Step 2 Plan based on your Goals

 

Plan your Roadwork Options based on your goals for each group

 

Mileage Maximizers

 

If your group is all Maximizers than you can plan Routes where you have the whole day or half day just on the Road. There are definitely some challenging, amazing full and half day routes that will be unbelievable experiences. Typically 50-100 miles for Full Day routes, and up to 50 on Half Days. Maximizers, I recommend you DO NOT try a full day route by “Hammering” and trying to squeeze it into a half day. You’ll be drained, you’ll miss all the beauty of the place you’re trying to enjoy, and you will often under estimate the time in and out. This will relieve you of a lot of stress and still allow you time to taste. On the half days you can ride in the morning, shower and go out wine tasting later in the afternoon. We don’t recommend that a Maximizer group make Bar Hop style pit stops to Wineries if you are trying to get the most road work in. You’ll miss the joy of the road and the lovely offerings that the wineries and hospitality companies provide.

 

Wine Country Tasters

 

This is the easiest group to plan for, with the least stress. If you are all Tasters, pick a location with some great wines that you enjoy, and plan a few stops. Depending on the Wine region you pick the distances between the Wineries can actually be quite substantial and much more mileage than folks may have anticipated (5-10+ miles between stops in some areas). So plan a place where you can drive/park and set out on your itinerary and plan for the mileage in between. Estimate 8-10 MPH for a casual ride and timing in between. You’re best off with 2-4 wineries max with 10 miles or less one way. That would put you at under 2 hours on the bike. You will typically spend at least 45 minutes to an hour or more at each stop. The more relaxed your style, the longer the visit time at each winery. A good estimate would be 10 miles one way, that would be 20 miles in total, 2 hours on the bike and if you stop at 3 wineries an hour at each you’re looking at a great 5 hour trip not including lunch or breaks. If you plan it right, you could get a 10am start of your trip, 5 hours for tasting and riding, 90 minute lunch, and you’ll be back around 5pm to your hotel to relax and clean up before going out. Adjust as you see fit, but that’s generally a good amount of outdoor riding where you get to slowly experience Wine Country in a way that you would never in a vehicle while still having time to enjoy a great Winery tasting experience.

 

Mixed

 

The most challenging planning is when you have groups of differing abilities and goals. In this case there are a couple of options, all of which are easily accomplished with a bit more planning and coordination.

• • Separate Days – Maximizers can set aside days where it is only Road Work where Tasters and Maximizers each have their own separate itinerary for those days. This isn’t spending time together, but time alone can be good, and gives folks a chance to experience different things that they enjoy most. A Taster may want to do more tasting in different regions, or explore Kayaking, a Massage, or Shopping. We recommend a only a few separate days in between days together to allow a good mix, but if you’re in a group of all Maximizers – go for it!

 

• • Half Days – For this option Maximizers can go all out in the morning, get an early start, and then meet up after lunch for Tasting or other activities during the afternoon. The Tasters can have a free morning for activities. Be sure to plan time for getting to the start and back of your ride, and changing/showering before meeting the rest of the group. This option can work out great giving each group some time to do the things they enjoy but spending more time together.

 

1. • Hybrid Days – Similar to the Half Day option, this is a great option where the Maximizers are able to link up with Tasters on a segment, and can add a segment on either the front, back or both ends of the segment they meet with the Tasters. Typically the Maximizers will get an early start, generally on tougher/longer courses, and meet the Tasters at a preset point, usually the first winery, at a set time. From there it becomes a casual ride with the Tasters as the group completes their itinerary together. If you need more miles, then the Maximizers could add another segment on their own after the last stop with the Tasters. Generally, I don’t recommend the post Tasters segment though. By then you’ve usually got some Wine in you, hopefully you’re having a good time. This may sound good in planning, but often doesn’t turn out well. Note, as another option you can meetup with the Tasters who are driving between stops on their segment which could allow the Maximizers to go harder/longer between stops. This isn’t a bad option if there are longer distances between stops. Again, not recommended, but it is definitely an option.

 

Step 3 Have a GREAT time!

 

This is an important step, one thing I recommend with all plans is to relax them, and make sure you have a good time. Nothing defeats a great trip like feeling disappointed that you didn’t get everything in and causes you to miss out on really enjoying the now, and focusing on the things you enjoy most.

 

Well, I hope this has given you some ideas and as usual, Happy Rolling!