The TOUR DES FLEURS.... and the Lompoc Valley Bicycle Club

Shortly after its inaugural CRUZN FOR CRITTERS fundraiser in June, 1994, Club members found themselves in support roles for the August, 1994, TOUR DES FLEURS ride. The event, featuring the then abundant flower flields surrounding the city, was sponsored by the Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Heading the Chamber effort was LVBC member and sponsor, Gary Mead, owner of Mi Amore Pizza and Pasta restaurant. Mead, a member of the Chamber’s Tourism Committee, stated the Chamber both hoped to attract visitors to the business community and to highlight the area’s natural beauty. Additionally, the TOUR was to capitalize on the already established and widely recognized quality bike routes in the region. Other key participants were Steve Pelky, LVBC President, and Bob Grant, both of whom provided club expertise and organizational assistance.

The TOUR itself began and finished at Mi Amore restaurant and featured three routes to accomodate rider capability. Marked as “Easy” was the 25 miler out and back to Ocean Park. A 55 miler passing by Vandenberg AFB to Los Alamos and back over Drum Canyon was “Challenging.” Cyclists desiring more distance (75 miles) could do the similarly designated “Challenging” course thorugh Los Alamos and Drum Canyon with a return through Buellton via Santa Rosa Road.

A number of local businesses were TOUR sponsors. Included were Bicyles Unlimited, the Porto Finale Inn, KBOX 104.1 fm, Mi Amore, and the Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce. Entry fees were $25 (single rider), $40 (tandem), and $15 for children under 12. There was, additionally, a late charge of $5 on ride day. The fees included lunch from Mi Amore, a T-shirt, and an opportunity to win a KHS Aerosport Road Bike donated by Steve Miller of Bicycles Unlimited.

Steve Pelky remembers that over 275 cyclists, local and visitors, took part in the TOUR. The Chamber initially planned to repeat the event the following year, but that didn’t occur. Nevertheless, the TOUR DES FLEURS did accomplish its stated purpose of attracting bikers and spotlighting the beauty of the region for riders and their support crews.

HISTORIAN NOTE: This is the 7th in a monthly series to be published in 2006 dealing with the heritage, activities, and members of the Lompoc Valley Bicycle Club. Data for the articles comes from personal interviews and, when existing, club record documentation. Special HISTORIAN thanks to Steve Pelky for the information making this issue possible.