Wine country cycling (route 3): Ballard, Drum, Cat and Foxen Canyon loop

Do we have to pick? It’s tough as this route includes our favourite roads in the region. But if you push us, we’d say Drum Canyon Road and Cat Canyon Road are the stand-out sections.

Drum for its sense of splendid isolation.

Cat for its vineyards, swooping descent and random oil field at the bottom. Cycling through that was not exactly beautiful, but it was certainly unusual and memorable.

It’s an easy warm up between Santa Ynez and Los Olivos. You then head south down glorious Ballard Canyon Road, with its quiet fields and pretty vineyards. 10km on the unremarkable 246 (there’s traffic but also a hard shoulder) before the fun commences and you turn up Drum Canyon Road. The opening kilometres of Drum are at a gradual 2.5% average gradient, past farms and between the valley sides.

Gradients increase as you hit the switchbacks and averages sit at around 5% to the top. Sadly there’s no spectacular view to greet you.

Take care on the descent: the road surface is cracked, broken and potentially dangerous.

 

You pass through the little lost-in-time village of Los Alamos (call in at Bob’s Well Bread (you can read more about it, here) if you’re feeling peckish) and it’s on to Cat Canyon. There’s a 3.5km ascent at a sedate 3.3% average followed by a great descent to Sisquoc.

Coming into Sisquoc, you pick up Foxen Canyon Road, the road you’ll be riding for the next 35km. Luckily it’s a great ride, right through the heart of wine country. It’s a gradual climb until just past Zaca Mesa Winery and then a nice descent with wide sweeping turns and long straight sections.

The only trouble will be resisting temptation and not dumping the in favour of a tasting room… But if you can wait until you finish the ride and you’re back in Santa Ynez, there are a few places to choose from in town.

Enjoy a stop at 47 km at Bob’s Well Bread in Los Alamos (read more, here). Or you could push on to tiny Sisquoc (67.5km) and pick up something basic at the historic General Store there.

A final option would be to take a 6km diversion (3 km each way) down Forest Rite 10N06 to Rancho Sisquoc Winery. It’s a beautiful spot, and there are picnic tables you can use. The owners also kindly refilled our water bottles.

 

We rode from the wonderful Farmhouse at MK Ranch, midway between Santa Ynez and Los Olivos. The 20-acre ranch is home to over 40 horses and other animals. There are plenty of facilities including a pool, play area, rose garden and fire pit.

Or take a look at our other accommodation suggestions in our ultimate guide to Santa Barbara County for cyclists.

If you’re not sure which town you want to stay in, our take on the best towns for cyclists in Santa Ynez valley might help.

Foxen Canyon Road features on the well-known Solvang Century ride. It gets busy at weekends, due to people visiting vineyards. Watch out for traffic.  Likewise, take particular care on Drum Canyon and the 246.

Take a look at our tips for cycling in Southern California before you set out.

Click here for our complete guide to planning a cycling holiday in Santa Barbara County.

Found this guide useful?

We’d love to hear from you – comment below or drop us a line.

Don’t miss our other ride guides on Santa Barbara County: see the related rides section above.

Check out our ultimate guide to cycling Santa Barbara County and other articles on the region, below.