There are some trips that simply click. The weather lines up, the riding exceeds expectations, and every evening somehow feels better than the last. That was the story of our revamped California trip at beautiful Zaca Lake Resort.
Tucked into the rolling hills of California wine country, Zaca Lake gave us the perfect setting for a week that felt equal parts cycling camp, summer retreat, and family reunion. For the past 10 years we’ve hosted trips in the Santa Ynez Valley at several accomodations and Zaca Lake quickly became a favorite!
The Rides: Quiet Roads, Big Views, Endless Variety
California delivered exactly what we hoped for on the bike with a twist. Zaca Lake wasn’t without its challenges, two of which became the Zaca Lake Wall & Zaca Zapper. The setting could not be prettier, but with that came a 6-mile private road, most of which meandered through a canyon, but ended with a punishing, less than 1-mile climb that gains 600′ with an average grade of 14% and max grade of 24%. The good news is that this was a very, very optional descent/climb. The ride out was challenging but achievable and became a great option for guests looking for more miles; if they wanted even more, they could ride back up, so there was something for everyone. An unexpected result was that the short 15-minute shuttle placed you smack dab into the best riding that the Santa Ynez Valley has to offer, and this quickly became our best-ever itinerary!
Quiet winding canyon roads, punchy climbs, sweeping descents, and hardly a stop sign in sight characterized the riding. The riding around the Santa Ynez Valley has a rhythm to it that’s hard to explain until you experience it yourself; challenging enough to feel rewarding, but relaxed enough to soak in every mile and very little traffic. The last point is what brought us to love this valley in the first place; of all the places we run trips, this might be the least-traveled pavement itinerary we offer.
It’s the kind of terrain that reminds you why California cycling has such a legendary reputation.
Zaca Lake: The Ultimate Home Base
What truly elevated the week was the atmosphere at Zaca Lake itself.
The property feels hidden away from the world in the best possible way. Rustic cabins on the outside reveal surprisingly lavish interiors, tucked quietly among the trees. A peaceful private lake reflects the evening light while open meadows, towering old-growth redwoods, and rolling hills create a sense of calm that’s increasingly hard to find these days. Each morning, guests slowly emerged onto their porches with fresh pour-over coffees in hand, soaking in the stillness, crisp air, and beauty of the property before another unforgettable day on the bike. It’s the kind of place where phones disappear, conversations linger, and the outside world quickly fades into the background; where the dings of notifications are replaced by birdsong, rustling trees, and the sound of laughter carrying across the lake.
After rides, guests jumped into the lake, lounged on the dock, paddled around in kayaks or paddleboards, or stretched out in Adirondack chairs with a beer in hand. It felt relaxed and unhurried; exactly the energy we wanted this trip to have.
The accommodations struck that perfect balance between cozy and elevated. Comfortable cabins, incredible communal spaces, and the kind of setting that naturally brings people together. On cooler days, the crackling fire inside the Ranch House became the heart of the property; a place to rehash the day’s ride over a glass of wine or ease into the morning with fresh coffee and quiet conversation before the group rolled out again.
Dinner Al Fresco
Evenings at Zaca Lake became their own event.
As the sun dropped behind the hills, everyone gathered for long dinners under the trees — weather permitting; or inside the Ranch House with the fire lit and the good vibes rolling. Plates passed family-style, wine poured freely, and conversations filled the air. There’s something special about sharing a meal after a big day on the bike: that perfect kind of tired where everything tastes better, and everyone feels instantly connected. The Cycling House has always been built around these moments, and it’s still hard to believe it all started back in 2005. Through all the miles, countries, and adventures since then, the meals have remained a centerpiece, bringing people together night after night around a table to be with each other.
The setting made every dinner feel cinematic: string lights overhead, warm California evenings, and the lake quietly glowing nearby. Oh yeah, a couple of nights we even saw a Starlink launch, it was like we planned it as a post-dinner activity.
The Zaca Lake Olympics & Pub Trivia
Of course, no Cycling House week would be complete without a little chaos.
Enter: the inaugural Zaca Lake Olympics.
Teams battled for glory in a series of highly questionable athletic events involving feats of strength, blindfolded paddling, cornhole pressure situations, egg-carrying drama, and far more competitive energy than anyone expected. It was equal parts athleticism and absurdity; exactly how it should be. If the TCH staff specializes in one thing beyond bikes, it’s play, and we love finding ways to get everyone involved. The Zaca Lake Olympics quickly turned into one of those unforgettable evenings where laughter echoed across the property, teams were fully committed to the bit, and guests who had only met days earlier were suddenly cheering each other on like lifelong friends.
The Olympics quickly became one of the highlights of the week, creating memories that guests will probably still be talking about years from now, or at the very least, the post will still be up on their wall.
TCH Pub Trivia brought out everyone’s hidden talents and surprisingly strong opinions about geography, music lyrics, cycling history, and completely useless knowledge. Teams formed alliances, rivalries escalated, and accusations of cheating may or may not have surfaced.
The laughter pouring out of the lodge during trivia night was the kind that makes a place feel truly alive. Trophies were fiercely protected, bragging rights immediately became serious business, and somewhere along the way, a brand-new TCH tradition was born.
More Than a Cycling Trip
What made this revamped California experience special wasn’t just the riding or the property; it was how naturally everything came together. Trust me, it came with a few bumps along the road, but nothing our staff couldn’t handle.
The combination of world-class riding, laid-back luxury, lake life, outdoor dinners, and playful community created something that felt uniquely “Cycling House.” A week where guests could push themselves on the bike, completely unwind afterward, and leave feeling like they’d been part of something meaningful.
We came away from Zaca Lake knowing one thing for certain:
We’ll be back. 2027 Dates are Live!
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