Santa Rosa Creek Road

This year Camp Chopper will once again feature the Grand Chopper and a climb up the famed Santa Rosa Creek Rd.

The Grand Chopper is held on Saturday. It's a 90 + mile ride that takes riders thru west Paso Robles, Creston, Atascadero. Then out thru the coast to Morro Bay, Cayucos and Cambria.

It's after the riders leave Cambria that the Santa Rosa Creek journey begins. The road is 16 miles of one lane highway that culminates with a 20% grade.

The Grand Chopper merit badge. Do you have one ?

Peachy Canyon Loop Preview

Private Wine tasting

This year Camp Chopper will once again be offering two private wine tastings. On Thursday after the ride we will be heading over to Austin Hope and Friday we will be having a private tasting by Anglim at the hotel for your enjoyment.

Paso Robles and Wine are synonymous with each other. Just as Beer is to Belgium. Last year the cyclist were introduced to the viticulture of the area and came away with a new appreciation of wine. Prior to Camp Chopper I had only had $2 buck Chuck and T-Bird. now when I go on dates I can sniff a cork and tell a Zinfandel from a Cab. Said one camper.

Galileo said " Wine is sunlight, held together by water. " Chopper said " When do we drink it. "

Support Team

Once again this years Camp will be fully supported by a SAG vehicle. The SAG team is led by a Physical Therapist and Team Masseuse.

It's not like just anyone can drive behind a group of cyclist. At Camp Chopper our team is specially trained to support you and your needs. Remember just raise your hand and a bottle or bar will magically appear.

Camp Chopper less than 30 days away are you ready ? We are !

Camp Chopper Meals

If you spend anytime in the central coast you will come to appreciate a few things about the dining scene. For example in SLO they have a law that prohibits drive thrus. In Paso they dont have a Fridays, Chilis, Steak N Shakes or a Ho Jo. The restraunts tend to be one of a kind.

This year the Welcome to Camp Chopper dinner is being held at McPhee's Grill in Templeton. Templeton is located 5 miles south of Paso. McPhees is one of a kind and easily the top 3 places to eat in the central coast. Go to a winery and tell your pourer you are eating at McPhee's tonight. Trust me you will get a big thumbs up.

Ian has offered us the private dining room and created a custom menu just for Camp Chopper. The menu will feature specially chosen meat , fish and pasta dishes for all campers and of course a desert. If its not the best meal you ever had you can give me a quad punch.

On friday night a group dining opportunity will exist at a downtown Paso Pizza place and Saturday night we will head to the recently opened Firestone Taproom restraunt. This year we want to make sure we have given you a group dining option for all nights. We dont want to hear of anyone eating a Nuttela open faced sandwich by themselves in a dark hotel room.

Anglim Winery to pour at LaQuinta

This year in addition to a field trip to Austin Hope we are excited that Stephanie from Anglim Winery has agreed to pour at LaQuinta. On Friday before we head out to dinner Stephanie will be pouring downstairs. Another après cycling feature of Camp Chopper you just don't get any where else.

Anglim Winery is a small, family-owned label located in downtown Paso Robles producing vineyard-designate Rhône varietals and blends plus limited-release family favorites including Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon.

They realize that stellar wines begin in the vineyard, and are passionate about sourcing the finest fruit for Anglim wines. Their limited case production of 3,500 cases a year allows them to handcraft wines in small lots with a combination of tradition and innovation. They use 100 percent French oak, but manage the new oak percentages to create wines with a balanced style, and enough character to be cellared but enough elegance to be enjoyed now.

Camp Chopper and Austin Hope

Camp Chopper is proud to announce that next year we will be adding a new winery to the tasting line-up. Building upon last year the camp will be offering yet another private tasting. This year the welcome night tasting will be held at the Hope Family Winery.

The Treana and Hope family wine tasting cellar is a modern take on a rustic barrel room. They offer an amazing range of regional blends along with stunning views of the Hope Family Vineyard. Christy the tasting room manager is looking forward to having some world class cyclists in her midst and the rest of the Camp Chopper riders.

Hope Family Wines include Liberty School, Austin Hope, Treana, Candor and the Troublemaker. We look forward to trying them all this January.

Camp pictures

http://www.flickr.com/photos/parrdee

Camp Chopper Victory

Last year I got the idea of putting on a winter cycling camp. The idea was to create a destination camp similar to the ones the pros ride each winter in preparation for race season.

This last weekend Camp Chopper went off without a hitch. The roads around the Paso Robles area delivered killer rides as promised. The group of 25 got in 235 miles over the 4 days.

The first ride was an acclimation to Paso 35 miler. The ride took in the hills of Peachy Canyon, Vineyard and Lake Nacimento Road. That ride was followed by a private tasting at Mitchella and a welcome dinner at Berry Hill Bistro for 30.

On Friday we headed out towards the coast. A 75 mile loop that featured the climb up Old River road from Cayucos. This was the only day we saw rain. The ride was fully supported by Honey Stinger and Victoria. Team masseuse was available upon our return and one more private tasting for the campers at Adelaida.

Saturday morning started like the others with the wicked good free breakfast at LaQuinta. Fuel was on everyone mind as the Grand Chopper loomed. A 90 mile ride that included the climb up Santa Rosa Creek Road. Amgen tour of Cal had to remove this climb from last years race. We beat that road like a rented mule. Back at the hotel we were hooked up with Domino's from Vic and Free beer from Trek.

On Sunday we concluded with a recovery 35 miler featuring the east side rollers of Paso. The rest of the Camp Chopper family members joined us for the ride. The crew rolled back in and the first inaugural Camp Chopper was in the books.

Paso delivered on all fronts. The routes, miles, climbs, support, weather, hotel, meals, wine, scenery and killer swag. Thanks to all sponsors, wineries and riders who contributed to Camp Chopper.

PS: Anyone who was unable to attend this years camp is free to help the Camp Chopper beneficiary this year by making a donation to LiveStrong on the link located on this web site.

Camp opens tomorrow !

Camp Chopper Itinerary

Here is The Official Camp Chopper Itinerary:

January 19th Thursday
1:00 check in LaQuinta Inns and Suites
2:00 Peachy Canyon loop 35 mile ride
5:00 Private group wine tasting at Mitchella Vineyards (meet in lobby at 4:45
for carpool ) then head over to ....
6:30 Berry Hill Bistro Welcome night Group Dinner

January 20th Friday
9:00 am Cambria 46 West loop 80 mile ride
3:30 pm Adelaida Cellars private group wine tasting.

January 21st Saturday
9:00am Grand Chopper 90 mile ride
Pizza Party at hotel in lobby waiting for us when we finish the Grand Chopper.

January 22nd Sunday
9:00 Nacimiento Road loop 35 mile ride
12:00 check out and see who's up for a little more tasting

Notes:

The hotel is on 46 East just a few minutes from downtown. Paso Robles is a
classic central coast town. The city has a large city park in the center of
town. The restaurants, shops, bars etc are all located downtown in this area.

To get downtown from the hotel you simply go west on 46. This road becomes 24th
street. Turn left on Spring Street. Turn left on 12th street and you are at the
city park and all of Paso Robles.

Each of you will be receiving a Paso Robles Wine Country map. The guide has an
A-Z listing of all the area wineries and restaurants. It's a very handy guide
and it will be given to you in your Camp Chopper welcome gift.

FYI below are some suggested wineries:

Peachy Canyon , Edward Cellars, Austin Hope, Rotta , Turley , Hunt,
Chronic Cellars, Mondo, La Aventure, Ecluse, Opolo , Four Vines, Calcareous,
Penman Springs and Tablas Creek if you prefer white wine.