The Tristar Athlete Triathlon Camp offers the ideal opportunity to escape the cold weather this winter and get some warm weather miles under your belt before the season starts. Tristar's Coach Cliff has teamed up with Coach Haluk, (former Turkish Olympic track star), to offer this California camp. Solvang offers some of the most challenging cycling roads that are like none other in the USA. It has been described as ‘The closest you can get to European cycling without leaving North America!’ Cycling is the emphasis of the camp, but the itinerary also allows plenty of opportunities to swim and run. There will be rides each day, some epic long stuff and shorter recovery riding between, including a ride up Figueroa Mountain. The camp is open to triathletes with half iron to ironman experience. The camp is five days devoted to training and recovery...with miles of smiles guaranteed.
Camp Fee:
Alumni Rate: $895 • New Participant Rate: $995(US Dollars) The camp fee includes all coaching with Coach Cliff and former Turkish Track star Haluk Sarci, swim fees, all evening meals (including a last night out at a restaurant), itinerary, route plans and profiles, Q&A session with Cliff and Haluk, camp cycling vest, and SAG support on all rides. Paying your deposit of $150 (non-refundable) secures your place at the camp. Your remaining camp balance is due by February 1st, 2008. Your place at the camp will be relinquished if your full camp balance is not received by February 1st, 2008. We accept checks (made payable to TriStar Athletes LLC) mailed to: TriStar Athlete LLC 200 West 26th St Apt 7F New York, NY 10001 We also accept online payment. There is an additional $5 administrative fee for the deposit payment and $10 administrative fee for your camp balance.
Registration: Registration is currently open. Click Here to register today. Camp Itinerary: Cycling specific multisport camp. This camp offers cycling each day (including some difficult terrain) but has plenty of opportunity to swim and run. Click here for the camp itinerary. Camp Accommodation: Our camp headquarters is at the Meadowlark Inn in Solvang, California. All activities, meals and seminars will be held at the Meadowlark Inn. We have arranged two options for accommodation for this camp:
The Meadowlark Inn and the Santa Ynez Inn. Details can be found below.
Meadowlark Inn www.meadowlarkinnsolvang.com
The Meadowlark Inn is situated 1.5 miles from the center of Solvang half way between Solvang and Santa Ynez. This Inn lends itself to a group setting very well. It is set in ample grounds and home to 18 rooms all ground level that are basic, but well maintained. A nice homemade breakfast is included in your room price and there is a small outdoor pool which is great for soaking your legs after a long ride. (We opt to have them turn the heat off exactly for this purpose!) Wireless internet is available if you bring your laptop. Accommodation starts at $67.50 a night for a shared room to $90 for a single standard room. For those who book early there is also the option (for an extra fee) of booking a room with a hot tub. The staff at the Meadowlark Inn are happy to pair athletes up for shared accommodation if you so choose. The Meadowlark Inn is located off Highway 246 the main route through the valley and within walking distance of; a quaint but well stocked grocery store, the outdoor swimming pool, the high school all weather track and the YMCA (great if you need an extra swim/weights). Please note that accommodation costs are not included in the camp fee.
Meadowlark Inn Reservations: 1-800-344-9792 or 1-805-688-4631 Accommodation needs to be booked directly with the Meadowlark Inn. When calling, please state that you are with the TriStar Athlete Solvang Camp to be able to get the special rate we have reserved. (This special rate is available up until February, 1st 2008). Meadowlark Inn Rates: (Please note these rates include breakfast)
Standard Single Room: $90 per night
Standard Double Room (Couple): $115 per night
Standard Hot Tub Room Single: $110 per night
Standard Hot Tub Room (Couple): $135 per night
Standard Suite (King bed) plus living room (with pull out sleeper sofa): $135 per night ($67.50 per person)
Kitchen Room Single Occupancy: $120 per night
Kitchen Room Double Occupancy: $150 per night ($75 per person)
Suite with whirlpool bath single occupancy: $140 per night
Suite with whirlpool bath double occupancy: $170 per night ($85 per person)
(Extra person in Shared kitchen rooms or Suites = $40 per night)
Meadowlark Inn Cancellation Policy: There is a $25 cancellation policy for any rooms cancelled with the Meadowlark Inn after a reservation has been made. If the reservation is cancelled after January 8th, you will be held responsible for any portion of the total reservation costs that the Meadowlark Inn is not able to re-sell.
Santa Ynez Inn www.santaynezinn.com
For those of you preferring more luxurious accommodation, the Santa Ynez Inn located in the heart of the western village of Santa Ynez is just 1.5 miles from our camp headquarters at the Meadowlark Inn. This Inn is majestic and a beautiful old building, with rooms that include a full breakfast and wine and hor d’odeurves in the afternoon. We have on hold a small number of rooms with either a King or two queen beds that are available for $275 a night. We will be running a shuttle to and from this Inn for all camp activities that do not involve a bike! (Otherwise a short extra warm up is the order of the day).
Santa Ynez Inn Reservations: 1-800-643-5774 or 1-805-688-5588 Please call the Santa Ynez Inn directly for all accommodation bookings. State that you are with the Endure It Solvang Camp/Charlie Woodcock to receive the special group rate we have organized. (This rate is available up until 30 days before the start of the camp, after that date it is subject to availability.)
Santa Ynez Inn Cancellation Policy: For rooms cancelled within 30 days to the start of your accommodation reservation, you will be responsible for a charge of one night stay plus tax. Meals: No camp is complete without good eating. For dinner we have arranged a group rate at the Meadowlark, to save those of you staying at the Meadowlark Inn having to walk anywhere after a long training day! All evening meal costs from Tuesday February 26th to the end of the camp are included in the camp fee. The last night we will eat out in a restaurant in town to celebrate the miles that have been logged! Breakfast is included with your accommodation price at the Meadowlark Inn or Santa Ynez Inn. We find it best to leave everyone up to their own devices for lunch. Typically we are on the road cycling, so lunch is each athlete's responsibility. There is a quaint, but fully stocked grocery store a few minutes walk from the Meadowlark Inn and a fabulous Burrito place (the best in the valley) situated one third of a mile from the Santa Ynez Inn. Airport Shuttles (from Santa Barbara Airport) Solvang is a 35-40 minute drive from Santa Barbara Airport. We are able to offer airport shuttles to and from Solvang at set times listed below for $30 round trip payable in advance. PLEASE TAKE OUR SHUTTLE TIMES INTO ACCOUNT BEFORE BOOKING YOUR FLIGHT if you are choosing to take one of our shuttles! Pick-up day: Tuesday, February 26th, 2008 (Please note that the camp officially starts at 4pm on this day with a run.) Pick up times at Santa Barbara Airport: 11:30am, 1:00pm or 2:30pm Departure day: Sunday March 2nd, 2008 (Please allow 50-minute for the drive plus check in time at the airport – 90 mins is normally fine for domestic flights departing Santa Barbara) Noon, 1:30pm, 2:30pm Alternatively, there is one company that offers an official airport shuttle service to and from Solvang. /www.superride.net or 1-800-977-1123. They charge $80 one way plus an additional fee for your bike. Cancellation Policy: The total camp fee minus $150 is refundable for withdrawals up until January 19, 2008. For withdrawals after January 19, 2008 but before February 11, 2008 50% of your full camp fee payment is refundable. For withdrawals on or after February 12, 2008 only 25% of your full camp fee payment is refundable.
Xantusia
Xantusia is an endurance sports playground, or at least it is becoming one (little by little). It sits at 4200' above sea level, in the zone in which the Mojave desert transitions to alpine vegetation. Xantusia sits among Joshua trees and California junipers, and a within a half-mile the foliage changes to pinyon pines, then to bigcone douglas firs, incense cedars, jeffrey pines, and other species as the roads climb to 8000' and the running trails to 9500'.
It is in the hamlet of Valyermo. It is 15 minutes away from Littlerock, 20 minutes from "civilization" in the form of two supermarkets and a WalMart, and is 30 minutes from Home Depot and other necessities.
Almost vacant paved roads roll over foothills, or you can be climbing one of two twisty ascents (one 1500', the other 4000') within six or seven minutes after leaving the property. Or run or MTB on trails in any direction. Your choice.
Xantusia is situated on 13 acres. It has a 3-lane, 25-yard competition pool, an Endless Pool, a Jacuzzi, a weight room, a full bike repair shop, and 15 or 20 late-model road and tri bikes on the property for loan. Also on the property might be horses and other various creatures.
We have horse stables, and a bed & breakfast. So that no one is left out, we also have a dog pond, and several dogs on the property who regularly use it. Anticipating one last question you might have, a "xantusia" is a small, nocturnal lizard, and its life is tied to that of the Joshua tree. You'll find them if you push over a dead Joshua branch, and you'll occasionally find xantusias in Xantusia.
