Camp Itinerary

Campers,

 

The official Camp Chopper Itinerary has been completed, confirmed and finalized. Please review the details below so you don't miss anything.

 

In the past the only dinner we needed a head count on was the Thursday night dinner. This year it's extremely important that you let me know how many in your group are attending ALL the dinners not just the welcome to Camp Chopper dinner.  I will send that request the first week of January.

 

January 16th Thursday

 

1:00 pm- Check in at LaQuinta Inn and Suites.

2:00 pm- Peachy Canyon loop, 35 mile ride.

5:00 pm- Private group wine tasting at the Peachy Canyon Winery (meet in lobby at 4:40 pm to carpool ).

6:30 pm- McPhee's Grill in Templeton for Welcome to Camp Chopper Argyle Group dinner. Suggested attire is Argyle.

 

January 17th  Friday

 

8:30 am- Cambria 46 West Old River Road Loop, 75 mile ride.

5:00 pm- Private group wine tasting at J Dusi Wines in the cellar room that will include pizza and snacks.

7:00 pm- Downtown Paso square area for some more carbohydrates if needed.

 

January 18th  Saturday

 

8:30 am- Grand Chopper, 92 mile ride.

2:30 pm- Pizza Party at hotel in lobby waiting for us when we finish the Grand Chopper.

5:00 pm- Firestone Brewery Taproom for dinner and drinks. See ya there.

 

January 19th  Sunday

 

8:30 am- Paso Estrella, 31 mile ride.

12:00 pm- Check out and see who's up for a little more tasting or lunch at Berry Hill Bistro.

 

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 bag.

 

Food suggestions:

 

Breakfast downstairs for free. Eggs, bacon, potatoes, biscuits and gravy and fruit plates. Juices and Coffee. Everything you can imagine. Free !

 

Robert's, Marv's Pizza, Basil Thai, Berry Hill Bistro, Good Ol Burgers, Señor  Sanchos. Artisan and Il Cortile for the rich kids.

 

FYI below are some suggested wineries:

 

Adelaida Cellars, Austin Hope, Mitchella, Rotta, Turley, Hunt, Still Waters, Stacked Stone, Kenneth Volk, Chronic Cellars, Mondo, La Aventure, Ecluse, Opolo, Calcareous, Penman Springs and Tablas Creek if you prefer white wine.

 

J DUSI WINES

The Friday night wine tasting is now official. Bill Grant and Janell Dusi will be hosting the Camp Chopper family at J Dusi Wines. For those of you that know Paso Robles history you know that Bill Grant was one of the creators and owner of the famous " Four Vines " winery.

 

Billy will be hosting us in the wine cellar Friday night. He asked what we were doing for dinner that night. I said we usually get pizza that night because we have the  Grand Chopper ride on Saturday and we will be eating at McPhees the night before. He said done we will have pizza and hors d'oeuvres for you in the cellar room. Billy is a Chef and a member of Red Sox Nation.

 

Camp Chopper just got way VIP, Keep Calm and Camp Chopper

Camp Chopper Sold Out

The 3rd annual Camp Chopper is set to kick off in just about 2 month's. This year camp sold out in record time. Camp was limited to 30 riders to keep that "family" feel in addition to provide the best in rider experience and safety.

On December 1, 2013 the Camp supplies will be ordered, this includes the famous Camp T-Shirt, Honey Stinger products, Wine and many other surprises.

This years meals and tastings will be the best in the 3 years of Camp Chopper. Paso Robles continues to produce some of the best wines in America and roads that are usually only ridden during the grand tours.

Peachy Canyon winery to host CC

As the baseball season heats up that can only mean one thing, time to start the planning phases for this years upcoming winter cycling camp. The first thing on the agenda is the selection of wineries that Camp Chopper will hold its private tastings.

When you say Paso Robles there are a few wineries that always come to mind. If your planning a few days of tasting Peachy Canyon Winery is always a must stop. Peachy has some of the best wines in the central coast and boasts such a line up of Zinfandels that it has its own Zin only wine club.

This year Peachy Canyon is proud to announce that two of the recently released 2011 Zinfandels have received 90 point scores Vortex and Mustang Springs. Additionally the 2011 Old Bailey received Gold at the Sauvignon Summit & Zin Challenge.

This year Peachy Canyon will be hosting Camp Chopper on our welcome night. We are excited to kick off the camp in the "old school house" circa 1886 and get our Zin on !

Camp Chopper 2 Recap

The second Camp Chopper is in the books. The 4 days of cycling the central coast and all of its treasures, delivered once again just as promised. Let me say again thanks to everyone and their families who carved out these 4 days in January to take on the 235 miles. The camp is made up of many things but at the end of the day it's really made up of the people who attend.

Here is my daily recap of Camp Chopper

Camp Day 1 Camp registration went smooth as everyone attending camp checked in to receive the CC swag bag. This year the bag included a bottle of Adelaida School House red, Honey Stinger products and the official CC T-shirt. Campers were asked to sign the waiver in case they got punched in the quad.

The Thursday ride took off without a pair of arm or knee warmers in sight. The ride up Peachy Canyon delivered  hills, vines and deer and we made it back in time for a quick shower.

The crew headed to Austin Hope for the private tasting. Christy poured some great wines and more than a few cases were purchased. I can't remember the last times I  bought a white wine. Great vibe and lots of laughs. Back in the car we headed to McPhee's in the quaint  town of Templeton.  The best Salmom I have ever eaten.

Swag Bag + Peachy Canyon Loop + Austin Hope + McPhee's = that's more fun in one day than my brother has had in his whole life.

Camp Day 2 Today we headed out to the coast for the highway 46 Cayucos loop. That morning like the next 2 mornings were cold. The saving grace of the morning is knowing its gonna be 70 + degrees later in the day. The SAG vehicles earned their pay early on this ride herding the riders, dealing with vehicles, Gatorade incidents and a clothing collection that would challenge a goodwill donation site.

The Camp Chopper SAG crews continue to be the best part of Camp. Having the vehicles available to carry fuel, equipment and available to help riders cannot be over looked and did I mention they are babes !

We all made it up Old Creek Road and back to the hotel. Shannon started the daily massage schedule while we went to the pool. We were told not to go in the Jacuzzi. We went in the Jacuzzi. Steffanie from Anglim Winery held a private tasting at the hotel for us while the hotel provided free appetizers.The manager of the hotel was impressed.

After the tasting we headed over to Marv's for pizza as we needed to carbo load for the upcoming Grand Chopper. Lots of laughs and lots of Firestone 805.

Cayucos Loop + Anglim Winery tasting + Marv's = Does this camp really only cost me $50 bucks ? 

Camp Day 3 Today started like every other day at Camp with a free breakfast. The breakfast area is the one thing I miss when I get home. I really like seeing everyone at breakfast I am thinking of being a fireman when I grow up I hear they have a similar set up.

The Grand  Chopper featured the famous climb up Santa Rosa Creek Road. As you log all the miles leading up to this climb its hard not to shart yourself knowing what is looming. This day featured the only mechanical hiccup of the camp and the ripple effect thru the ride. The SAG team went above and beyond the call of duty that day.

Everyone got to the top of Santa Rosa Creek Road. That climb is still the
toughest mother I have ever ridden. There may be steeper climbs on the planet but rarely in life do you hit a climb like that after 3 days and 170 miles in your legs.

I waited for the SAG vehicle before the climb started and got the last start. The shenanigans following the stops will be solved next time. Only 4 minutes with a car horn to warn everyone we are about to roll. No more Jack and Jill take offs.

Honestly can't believe I'm saying this but the 93 miles flew by that day. Everyone who started the Grand Chopper finished and can download their merit badge.

As usual the girls hit a home run with 10 pizzas, the Kulbins provided Firestone and Joey brought the Jack Daniels.

Dinner later that night at the Firestone brewery for some more 805 and a group tab over $ 1,100 then onto the Jacuzzi for some tasteful viewing of skin.

The Grand Chopper + Dominos + Firestone + Jack Daniels + Jacuzzi Party = it's really good to know Chopper.

Camp Day 4 Last day of Camp we headed out for the last miles of the trip. A cold morning and some good old fashion off road miles. We took a detour thru a construction site so Bob Harbor could write the trip off on his taxes. Now that's a guy with wicked smarts.

We rolled back into the Laquita around 10:45 am and took the last pedal stroke of camp. 235 miles and No Flats, let me say that again 235 miles and No flats. Yep, that's how we roll.

Packed up and head to Berry Hill Bistro for lunch and then believe it or not 4 wine tasting's and a drive home without stopping at In and Out Burger.

Estrella Road + No Flats + 235 miles = You just finished Camp Chopper. We're all going to Disney Land.

Thanks again to everyone who contributed in every way to making this camp a success. Putting together a group event is a challenge that I love and will continue to strive to making future camps better. This year we knocked the group meals out of the park and the tasting's were spectacular. LaQuinta continues to be a home base that works perfect. I have already started planning Camp Chopper 3 with new routes and improvements we can make for getting the riders on the same page. Having a B group is strong possibility in the future, talk of a wine tasters dinner with Christian and a 3 day Summer Camp.

Thanks again for attending and congratulations to all for making Camp Chopper 2 an amazing 4 days that went way too fast. I hope you all enjoy your shirts and the hot chicks they will attract.

Camp Chopper Itinerary

January 17th Thursday

1:00 pm- Check in at LaQuinta Inn and Suites Paso Robles Ca.
2:00 pm- Peachy Canyon loop, 35 mile ride
5:00 pm- Private group wine tasting at the Austin Hope tasting cellar (meet in
lobby at 4:40 pm for carpool ) then head over to ...
6:30 pm- McPhee's Grill in Templeton. Welcome to Camp Chopper Group Dinner

January 18th Friday

8:30 am- Cambria 46 West Old River Road Loop, 75 mile ride
5:00 pm- Anglim Winery private group wine tasting in the hotel lobby
6:00 pm- Dinner on your own

January 19th Saturday

8:30 am- Grand Chopper, 92 mile ride
Pizza Party at hotel in lobby waiting for us when we finish the Grand Chopper
5:30 pm- Firestone brewery Taproom for Dinner and drinks. See ya there

January 20th Sunday

8:30 am- Paso Estrella, 31 mile ride
12:00 pm- 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 bag.

Food suggestions:

Breakfast downstairs for free. Eggs,bacon, hash browns, biscuits and gravy and
fruit plates. Juices and Coffee. Everything you can imagine. Free !

Robert's, Marv's Pizza, Basil Thai, Berry Hill Bistro, Good Ol Burgers, Señor
Sanchos. Artisan and Il Cortile for the rich kids.

Winery suggestions:

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

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 ?