AdventureCORPS Presents Velo & Vino Julian

A five-day cycling retreat with wine tasting and yoga classes based in Julian, in the mountains east of San Diego

Sleep at 4,200 feet every night. | Ride between 600' and 6000' every day

Monday-Friday, April 15-19, 2013

(Stay another day to ride the Mount Laguna Bicycle Classic on April 20!)


New for 2013! Join our Five-Day Cycling Camp and Retreat immediately prior to the Mount Laguna Bicycle Classic!

We welcome you join us for a five-day cycling retreat April 15-19, 2013 in Julian, CA for the week immediately preceding the Mount Laguna Bicycle Classic. Participants will enjoy five days of SAG-supported world-class cycling in and around the Mount Laguna - Julian - Lake Cuyamaca - Anza-Borrego area. Each day's ride will start and finish in Julian, with multiple distances offered each day, offering something for everyone, whether gearing up for a first-ever century or for a long season of ultracycling, triathlon, or bike racing, or for the pure enjoyment of exploring a fanstastic cycling region.

We will start our rides at our host hotel, the Julian Lodge, and we'll also enjoy wine tasting at Witch Creek Winery, a group dinner at Romano's Italian Cafe, three yoga classes, and more, with everything accessible nearby and by foot. There's also the option to stay an extra day to tackle our Mount Laguna Bicycle Classic. The riding, camaraderie, and setting are so fabulous that we believe this camp will become an annual pilgrimage for all who attend.

Located at 4200 feet elevation, Julian is the premier mountain getaway just an hour east of San Diego in the beautiful Cuyamaca mountains. Take a step back in time to the days of Julian’s beginning rooted in the 1870s gold rush. Get away from the hectic rush of city life and discover the charms of Julian. See where gold was discovered. Shop in stores housed in historic buildings, some dating back to the 1870s. Sleep in a romantic B&B or historic hotel. Sample Julian's famous apple pies. Enjoy local wine and beer tasting, as well as the locally brewed hard cider. Hike and picnic amid oaks and pines. Ride down Main Street in a horse-drawn carriage. You will love the cycling, and you will love the town. Non-riding spouses and family members will have plenty to do, too, while you're out riding. Read and learn more about Julian.

Velo & Vino Julian is designed as a multi-day lifestyle adventure - five days of fantastic cycling and outdoor adventure in a really fun, interesting, and beautiful area - and the experience is only as difficult as YOU want it to be. Most days, participants can make their daily mileage any number they want! Every activity is optional; participants are free to "check out any time you like" for a break, extra rest, or private time. If you love cycling and want to get away from it all and enjoy the company, and insights, of fellow cyclists, then you will enjoy Velo & Vino Julian!

This is a cycling vacation like never before! Please join us!


Registration & What's Included

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED. Online registration through BikeReg opened at 1000am, California time, on November 13, 2012. Up to sixty minutes prior, the registration link was sent out via our email newsletter, giving a small headstart to newsletter subscribers. (Note that delivery time varies for the newsletter - no system can send out 10,000 emails simultaneously.) PLEASE NOTE: There is a $100 Late Charge if you register after April 1, 2013. (We don't want your late fee; we want to know if you are coming, so we can plan accordingly, so please don't delay in registering for the camp. Thanks!) Registration will CLOSE as soon as if the event is sold out.

Trip Cancellation Insurance:

We highly recommend you consider trip cancellation insurance in case you are unable to attend or have to leave early. One source for this is Travel Guard at 1-877-901-7599. They may be able to refund your entry fee if you are forced to cancel or leave early.

Your $495 Velo & Vino Julian entry fee includes:

  • Five days of awesome cycling: Route slips & downloadable GPS files
  • The AdventureCORPS Map of the Julian and Mount Laguna Area
  • Support vehicle with Hammer Nutrition Products and other cycling snacks, drinks, and energy foods on the road each day
  • Dynamic Warm-Up each morning
  • CORPSyoga: Yoga for Cyclists Class on three afternoons
  • Group Dinner at Romano's Italian Cafe
  • Wine Tasting at Witch Creek Winery Tasting Room
  • Coaching and/or expert bike fitting, if desired (fee charged for the latter)
  • AdventureCORPS 100% Organic Cotton t-shirt
  • AdventureCORPS hat or cap
  • AdventureCORPS water bottle
  • Optional deeply discounted entry in the Mount Laguna Bicycle Classic held the day after Velo & Vino Julian, on Saturday, April 20, 2013. Mount Laguna Bicycle Classic info.

Registration is limited to 65 riders: First come, first served. Sorry, there is no discount for attending less than the full five day camp.

Refunds: Your entry fee is refundable, less $100, until March 1, 2013. After that, no refunds or other forms of credit will be given. We highly recommend you consider trip cancellation insurance in case you are unable to attend or have to leave early. One source for this is Travel Guard at 1-877-901-7599. They may be able to refund your entry fee if you are forced to cancel or leave early.

For non-cycling spouses and friends: For up to 30 non-riders, we offer a $75 entry option which includes participation in the daily morning Dynamic Warm-Up, the three afternoon Yoga Classes, the wine tasting evening, the group dinner, and any other off-the-bike activities. Does not include cycling, cycling food, goodie bag, AdventureCORPS gear, coaching, bike fitting, etc. (Non-rider fee goes up to $95 on April 1.)


Where and Host Hotel

The oficial host hotel for Velo & Vino Julian is the Julian Lodge, conventiently located right in downtown Julian. All our ride routes will start and finish at the Julian Lodge and we strongly encourage all Velo & Vino participants to sty at the Julian Lodge. From its perfect, quiet location, participants can walk everywhere they will need or want to go to during the camp!

Our special reservation code, in order to utilize rooms from our Velo & Vino block, will be provided to each Velo & Vino Julian participant when they register (not posted here, so that only registered Velo & Vino Julian registrants can use it).

From the Julian Lodge website: The Julian Lodge invites you to enjoy the beauty and freshness of the mountains, where more than 100 years ago the town of Julian was founded. Julian still maintains its unique quality of life, where time stands still and there is freedom from the hustle and bustle of urban life.

Designed after the Washington Hotel, built in 1885, the Julian Lodge is just steps away from rustic shops and historic points of interest.

A cozy fire warms the elegant and spacious Washington Room where guests enjoy a delicious continental breakfast. An antique upright piano and family songbooks provide an opportunity for sing-a-longs. This mountain inn is open year-round.


Banner Grade descends from Julian to Anza Borrego state park and the Salton Sea Atop Mount Laguna, heading to Julian.

Daily Destinations and Schedule (details finalized 4-8-13)

Check-In: We will have check-in on Sunday from 400pm to 600pm at the Julian Lodge.

Each day's ride will start and finish at the host hotel in Julian. All distances listed below are round-trip. Velo & Vino Julian isn't only for those who want to ride 50, 70, or 100 miles in a day! Each day offers two or three distances which are lovely rides, long on beauty, photo op's, sightseeing, cafés, bakeries, wineries, and more!

NOTE: Civil twilight (first light in the sky) is at approximately 552am each morning, while sunrise is at approximately 617am and sunset is approximately 718pm.

Pre-Ride: Before each ride, we will do a five minute off-the-bike Dynamic Warm-Up, then we will depart on the ride. (This is done while standing, so no towels or props are needed.) This take place in front of the Julian Lodge just prior to departure.

Monday, April 15 (Mount Laguna)
Julian Lodge Breakfast: Opens at 700am
Route A (62 miles with app. 6000 feet of gain), 800am: Mount Laguna Summit via Sunrise Hwy - Old Hwy 80 east - up Kitchen Creek- return on Sunrise Hwy: Garmin link coming soon!
Route B (40 miles with 4100 feet of gain), 800am: Mount Laguna Summit via Sunrise Hwy, and return: Strava | Garmin
Route C (18 miles with 1100 feet of gain), at your leisure: Lake Cuyamaca Store and return: Garmin
430pm: Wine Tasting at Witch Creek Winery Tasting Room

Tuesday, April 16 (Borrego / Montezuma Loop)
Julian Lodge Breakfast: Opens at 600am
Route A (73 miles with 6300 feet of gain), 700am: East on Hwy 78 (down Banner Grade) - Yaqui Pass to Borrego Springs - up Montezuma Grade - Hwy 79 south to Santa Ysabel, east on Hwy 78 through Wynola to Julian: Strava | Garmin
Route B (47 miles with 3400 feet of gain), 800am: East on Hwy 78 (down Banner Grade), left at Scissors Crossing, return via Santa Ysabel to Julian: Garmin | Google Map
400-500pm: CORPSyoga: Yoga For Cyclists

Wednesday, April 17 (Engineers - Guatay - Sunrise Hwy)
Julian Lodge Breakfast: Opens at 630am
Route A (62 miles with 6200 feet of gain), 730am: Pine Hills - Engineers Road - Lake Cuyamaca - south on Hwy 79 - Guatay - Pine Valley - north on Sunrise Hwy up and over Mount Laguna: Strava | Garmin
Route B (21.5 miles with 2100 feet of gain), 730am: Pine Hills - Engineers Road - Lake Cuyamaca - north on Hwy 79 to Julian: Garmin
Route C (14 miles with 1100 feet of gain): Pine Hills exploration loop at your leisure: Garmin (rough)
400-600pm: Hike
Note: Dinner moved to Thursday!

Thursday, April 18 (Mesa Grande / Mount Palomar)
Julian Lodge Breakfast: Opens at 630am
Route A (70 miles with 6900 feet of gain), 730am: Santa Ysabel - Mesa Grande - Lake Henshaw - East Grade up Mount Palomar, and return on the same route: Strava | Garmin
Route B (31.2 miles with 2600 feet of gain), 730am: Santa Ysabel - Mesa Grande and return on the same route: Strava | Garmin
Route C (10 miles with 900 feet of gain), at your leisure: Julian - Wynola - Wynola Road - Whispering Pines Loop: Strava | Garmin | Google Map
430-530pm: CORPSyoga: Yoga For Cyclists
600pm: Dinner at Romano's Italian Café (Note: Not 700pm as listed before.)

Friday, April 19 (Lake Cuyamaca / down Engineers - Pine Hills)
Julian Lodge Breakfast
: Opens at 730am
Route A (21 miles with 2100 feet of gain), 830am: Lake Cuyamaca - Engineers Road (down) - Pine Hills: Strava | Garmin
Route B (18 miles with 1100 feet of gain), 830am: Lake Cuyamaca Store and return (as on Monday): Garmin
400-500pm: CORPSyoga: Yoga For Cyclists

Saturday, April 20: Optional: Mount Laguna Bicycle Classic, our annual "bucket list" event held since 2009 which features 101 miles with over 10,000 feet of climbing and three different ascents of San Diego County's Mount Laguna! You will climb San Diego's highest point via Sunrise Hwy from the north, via the fabled and car-free Kitchen Creek from the south-east, and via the little-known and truly epic Pine Creek drainage from the west. There are just three stop signs and NO traffic lights on this incredible route which starts and finishes just 44 miles east of San Diego in Pine Valley, CA! Options include 45-mile and 75-mile routes.


Weather & What to Bring

At 4,235 feet, Julian’s high elevation provides clean air, blue skies and four distinct seasons. Spring is generally mild and wildflowers decorate the backcountry in and around Julian while a profusion of daffodils is evident throughout the town site. Our routes will take us from 600 feet in the much warmer Anza-Borrego Desert, and up to 6000 feet on nearby Mount Laguna and Mount Palomar, where it can even snow on occasion in April. Click here for current weather.

Riders must come prepared for any possible mechanical failure or contingency, and any type of weather. At the very least, all riders should carry a spare tube, tire, pump, patch kit, basic tools, water bottles, money, personal and medical identification, cell phone (though it will not always work), money, credit card, and a good attitude. Add to that the necessary fuel and fluid for your each day's adventure (each day, a SAG vehicle will park at one or two locations along the route to provide fluid replacement and access to personal drop bags). We also strongly recommend a yoga mat for the afternoon CORPSyoga classes. Here's a Packing List you can print out and reference (Pdf format)!


Fueling and Hydration

We highly recommend the fueling, hydration, and supplement products from Hammer Nutrition. Prepare yourself a "four hour bottle"* of Perpetuem, and HEED each day, bring along a flask of Hammer Gel and a container of Endurolytes and Anti-Fatigue Caps, and all you''l need is more water as your day unfolds out there. It's a simple but extremely effective way to sustain yourself for long days in the saddle. (We'll have a SAG van to provide water, but it's a good idea to bring a CamelBak, too. See below.)

*Our "four hour bottle" includes four scoops of Perpetuem and four scoops of HEED. This provides 920 extremely tasty calories, including 24 grams of protein, eight grams of fat, and a nice selection of electrolytes and more, not to mention lots of great, long-lasting carbo energy. We drink this mix slowly (hence the name, "four hour bottle") and drink plain water at the same time (about one bottle an hour).


On several afternoons during Velo & Vino Julian we'll offer a free "yoga for cyclists" class. It's a must to improve your cycling performance each day, plus good for your body and mind! Please bring a yoga mat, blanket, or large towel.

CORPSyoga is designed for everyone, regardless of yoga background, or lack thereof, and is designed to help athletes unwind from their drive to Julian or long day in the saddle, accelerate recovery for the next day's adventure, minimize the chance of injury, and rejuvenate and restore energy balance. It is primarily designed for cyclists, focusing on their tight areas (hips, shoulders and hamstrings), as well as strengthening the core with an emphasis on functional fitness. The yoga sequences will improve cycling performance and one's overall day on the bike. The class is one hour long. Take advantage of this rare opportunity to participate in a yoga class with fellow cyclists. Suitable for everyone! The class is taught by Laurie Kostman, your co-host and fellow cyclist, a fitness professional and exercise specialist with 20 years of experience. More Info.


2013 Mount Laguna Bicycle Classic Jerseys by PACE Sportswear (Featuring the Velo & Vino logo on the middle rear pocket)

MLBC Jerseys MUST be pre-ordered while registering for the event.

If you would like to order a Mount Laguna Bicycle Classic jersey, please note that the jerseys are for pre-orders only. We do not order hardly any "extras." If you want one, please order it when you register for the event. You will not be able to email us later to order or request one.

Please reference the PACE Sportswear Sports Sizing Charts below to be sure you know your correct size before you order the new gear. Remember, these are "Euro Race-Cut" and we offer both men's and women's styles. Jerseys are race cut and therefore run small, by as much as one size or more, as compared to club cut jerseys! (They are sized almost identically to the Hincapie Race Cut jerseys that we have offered for several years in the past.)

Wear your Mount Laguna Bicycle Classic jersey with pride and style!

PLEASE NOTE: All Prices INCLUDE California Sales Tax! You will not be charged tax in addition!


Personal SAG Vehicles

Not allowed! The Julian / Mount Laguna region is a beautiful, generally traffic-free place to ride, so why spoil it with more cars? The definition of a personal SAG is any non-staff motor vehicle that is providing any type of aid, assistance, or motivation to any rider. No RAAM crews in training, personal cheering squads, photographers, video crews, or the like, please! A limited number of spouses / significant others / friends may be recruited to serve as SAG for the entire group, depending on field size and need. Please email us beforehand if you have somebody who would like to lend a hand and who is available to accompany you on your trip.


Important Registration Details and Policies

  1. All entrants are required to sign the Accident Waiver at check-in (before beginning the event). The waiver may not be modified in any manner.
  2. Entry fees are non-transferable.
  3. Your entry fee is refundable, less $100, until March 1, 2013. After that, no refunds or other forms of credit will be given.
  4. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.
  5. We will keep you up-to-date via our email newsletter, but only if you choose to sign up for it. We will also send some Velo & Vino Julian-specific email updates directly to all participants.
  6. Velo & Vino Julian will take place rain or shine.
  7. All riders must be friendly and must always display a good attitude before, during, and after the event.
  8. All riders must carry proper personal identification and personal emergency contact phone number at all times while cycling. We recommend the fine products from www.RoadID.com.
  9. All riders must wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet while cycling.
  10. All riders must obey all laws and all relevant aspects of the California Motor Vehicle Code.
  11. All riders must follow the basic rules for safe cycling, including, but not limited to: Ride to the right, single file at all times. Stop at all stop signs and red signals. Protect and warn one another about road hazards and traffic. Don't overlap wheels. Practice safe paceline and group riding etiquette. Be courteous to and cognizant of motorists and other park visitors.

Official Charity: Challenged Athletes Foundation

Click here for the "Race For a Reason" program - You can personally participate in our events on behalf of CAF - and even earn cool incentive prizes in recognition of your efforts! The Challenged Athletes Foundation was created on the belief that people of all abilities should have the opportunity to pursue a life full of physical activity and of sports. Be they recreational or in pursuit of a gold medal at the Paralympic Games, people with a physical disability are limited only by their access to funding. Click here to donate to CAF right now through a secure and easy-to-use webpage.