Threatened, but not defeated, “Ride the Route” turned away the rain Monday morning.

As of 10 a.m., showers pelted Solvang — the Danish translation for “Sunny Fields” — but on cue, the sun broke through to gleam off the spinning wheels as 35 cyclists set out on a picturesque 15-mile ride.

Pros, amateurs, media representatives and the public alike pedaled the route of what will be the sixth stage of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California — already the nation’s most respected pro cycling race just three years after it began.

On Friday, Feb. 20, the world’s best cyclists will again converge on Solvang for a critical time trial — in the past, the site of Levi Leipheimer’s two wins en route to two overall titles, and in the near future, a critical haul in Lance Armstrong’s comeback bid.

On Monday, the public was invited to leisurely survey the course — in full gear, of course.

On hand was pro cyclist Ken Hanson — a 2006 graduate of Cal Poly and current member of Team Type 1. He led the pack through rolling hills, sweeping vineyards and breathtaking farmland — a panoramic post card.

“Absolutely stunning,” Hanson said after the ride. “The weather, roads, open country, scenery and certainly the hospitality are the reasons so many teams like to have training camps here.”

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The 26-year-old Santa Barbara resident competed in the 2007 Tour of California, and he hopes to ride the route again soon, competitively with his team, in February. That hinges on whether the team is invited, which it will find out on Thursday.

Hanson got his start racing for Cal Poly’s collegiate cycling team, earning a degree in nutritional science before turning pro. In his third season as a pro, Hanson signed with Team Type 1.

“The two riders that co-founded the team have type 1 diabetes,” he said. “... Every race we go to, there is at least one diabetes racer. It’s amazing to see.”

Also on hand was 3rd District county Supervisor Brooks Firestone, who emphatically took the podium pre-race and proclaimed, “This year, now that I’m retiring, I’m looking forward to volunteering. We are bicycling heaven here!”

Shortly after Firestone’s speech, Solvang mayor Jim Richardson made his own two declarations:

“Since Solvang is the Danish Capital of America, I think now we can call it the Bicyclist Capital of America!”

Then he turned his attention to Hanson: “With a name like Hanson, he has to be Danish. So I nominate him honorary Dane for the day.”

Carol Petersen and Max Hanberg, co-chairs of the Solvang Local Organizing Committee, briefly summarized the specific route, which is the same as last year.

And then they were off — a chase van, media included, churning along behind them.

The ride kicked off in brutal fashion: straight up Alisal Road.

When the route reaches Alamo Pintado Road, a slight decline begins, past Stonecrest Farm, Rancho Santa Ynez and dozens of miniature horses. The land soon flattens, passing a half-dozen churches, including Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian, Ballard Country Church and the Christian Science Church.

As two leaders whizzed by the chase van, Executive Director Tracy Farhad of the Solvang Conference and Visitors Bureau stepped out of it, megaphone in hand.

The peloton approached.

“It’s the Race of Truth! Work it! Work it!” she yells with a laugh.

The ride continued, left at North Refugio Road, behind Dunn School and through Los Olivos.

A painter, canvas propped up, stood in a field brushing the landscape as the riders passed.

The real beauty, however, began with the sharpest ascent. Switchbacks filled the start to Ballard Canyon Road. The climb got steeper until the riders reached the highest point of the ride — now they were halfway home.

Firestone happily recalled this scenery.

“The best thing to do is to have a picnic party and watch it go by on the big hill,” he said. “We had 50 people out, a bunch of hay bales, and had a picnic.”

Vineyards blanketed the scene of paradise, including a windmill marking the Windmill Ranch and Vineyard.

Long Beach needed a $250,000 budget to convince race organizes to include it in plans last year, according to Farhad. Solvang, it would seem, needs only this.

The final stretch winds down — back into Solvang, past Solvang School, turning the corner at The Artistic Pony.

The final stretch heads toward Solvang’s trademark windmill.

The winner of Monday’s non-competitive ride was Mike Hecker, 39, of Buellton.

“When I’m on a normal training ride, I enjoy this ride quite a bit,” he said. “Come the 20th of February, I won’t enjoy the scenery as much.”

Hecker — who organizes mountain bike racing through his company, Stump Grinder Productions — will be one of 25 amateurs to compete in the Race of Truth — a separate timed race on Feb. 20 one hour before the pros set out.

December 16, 2008