Solvang Century...
Thread started by
Rogue Rida at 03.4.08 - 10:59 pm
Hey Guise,
The Mid-City Marauders are attacking the Solvang Century this weekend Saturday the 8th. We are driving out Friday and camping in the mountains. Saturday we are going to ride the Century then camp Saturday night as well and leave Sunday morning.
If anyone is interested I will post more info as needed.
werd...
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Mike I'd totally roll with ya'll ...But I'm catching Immortal Technique this saturday in DTLA...Have fun ! (shit camping century and some more camping hell yeah)....
skano03.4.08 - 11:24 pm
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I was thinking about doing Solvang Century too. Are you guys crashing the ride? This is the type of event I would normally pay for, but the registration is up to $105 per person now. Bleh.
City Hobgoblin03.5.08 - 10:32 am
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Definitely interested, I havent been to solvang since I was like.......9. So send more info please!
BlueHarvest03.5.08 - 10:39 am
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and info like "camp in the mountains" is like whooosh right over my head, being that im from Ohio. So I have tons of camping gear I love using and it was that element of the century that really perked my attention. However I don't know what mountains and just feel like I need a more complete itinerary. Thanks a lot.
BlueHarvest03.5.08 - 10:41 am
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rogue: are you crashing this event or have you registered? do you think it may be easily 'crashable'?
meandmybluebike03.5.08 - 11:17 am
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you guys camping on figueroa mtn or somewhere closer to the event?
toweliesbong03.5.08 - 11:22 am
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When i did the Tour de Palm Springs last month, every registered rider had a wrist band which allowed us to have access to the organized stops to get free drinks, fruits, snacks, fuel, etc. I don't recall anyone manning the porta johns looking to see if everyone was wearing the wristband. And, i'm guessing if you had a mechanical or medical problem, technically they wouldn't help you but i also think in reality, that would be pretty hardcore that they would deny you med help so i'd feel comfortable that someone would help in an accident situation.
Otherwise, at least on the Tour, i don't think anyone was really paying attention who was riding. At least not the riders. I also have no idea what Solvang does for determining who is registered or not.
stevo403.5.08 - 11:44 am
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Thanks steve04!!
I'm all about "ethical" crashing... if you don't pay the fee, don't use the support. If i do this, I will bring my own food, water, tools, and private ambulance in case I crash.
I don't want any trouble, just sounds like a beautiful ride.
I don't like how the early registration ($65) ends 3 weeks before the ride, so you have no idea what the weather will be. (It's non refundable, so if it rains, you either eat the $65 or do a rainy century.) Then they bump to $105 as soon as it gets close enough for weather forecasts to become available.
City Hobgoblin03.5.08 - 11:50 am
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double century is the new century..
khaos03.5.08 - 12:00 pm
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i was considering doing this as well. maybe only the 50 mile version.
studiodrome03.5.08 - 12:23 pm
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i have a bike rack if anyone has a trailer hitch.
studiodrome03.5.08 - 12:30 pm
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I'm pretty much in... Jakob Z German and I have been talking about doing it on fixed gears. The only thing is I feel bad about poaching the ride. But damn, $105 is a fucking grip....
Anyway, those ethical questions are for me to wrestle with. Jakob & I are planning on heading up pretty early on Saturday for this. Weather should be beautiful.
Studiodrome, Annie, if ya get something going, post up! Would love to ride with you guys.
City Hobgoblin03.5.08 - 12:42 pm
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studiodrome: i just emailed roguerida about carpooling. i also have a bike rack that can fit up to three bikes. i have my vw, but prefer not to drive.
meandmybluebike03.5.08 - 12:59 pm
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RogueRida: please contact me about carpooling.
soundof78atyahoodotcom
meandmybluebike03.5.08 - 1:00 pm
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Support is for wusses. Spend that $100 on a saddlebag or panniers or handlebar bag and carry your own shit!
:)
The ride looks fun, and it's real pretty up there.
cabhauler03.5.08 - 1:17 pm
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cabhauler:
"Support is for wusses."
Yeah that was my first reaction, but I read someone's account of the ride, and he talked about this really cool vibe he got from everyone. That is really attractive to me. Would not paying disrupt that? If some good-natured folks are plugging along, and they see that you are poaching, would that be a bummer?
: /
City Hobgoblin03.5.08 - 1:25 pm
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I'm just kidding. There's a time and place for support, certainly during a race. Plus it could be daunting for a beginner to have carry all their own stuff and not have the comfort of knowing there's SAG.
I'm with you on not using the support if you crash the ride.
cabhauler03.5.08 - 1:38 pm
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Party supply stores usually carry a large color aray of wrist bands..
skano03.5.08 - 1:42 pm
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Hey everyone,
We are for sure going to crash it. I am to broke to dish out $105 for the ride. I am going to bring my own food as well. I am not going to lie, but I am also going to try and get whatever supplements they are handing out as well...
The place I usually camp may be to far away to ride to the start. What I am going to do is figure out the best place to park and ride or try finding a camp closer. I will have a full itinerary by the end of the night. Work has me pretty busy at the moment!
Rogue Rida03.5.08 - 1:47 pm
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I've done this ride 3 times (03, 04, 05) with a number.
The sag stops are very crowded and busy. I never noticed anyone checking for numbers, but then I had one.
My guess is you won't be hassled. Bring plenty of water/Gatorade with you.
Beware of the Foxen Grade. Its about 15 or 20 miles of gradual climbing around the 75 mile mark (just when you didn't need climbing). At the end of that, just past the last sag stop, there is a nice half mile steep climb. You'll know it when you get to it! That said, the country you roll through is stunning and well worth the effort.
I'm not sure I'd want to camp out the night after the ride, but you'll be so tired that perhaps it won't matter that you are sleeping on the ground. Best of luck!
Creative Thing03.5.08 - 2:38 pm
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@ Creative Thing:
I heard a nasty tale about Box Canyon Road (climb). Know anything about that?
City Hobgoblin03.5.08 - 3:26 pm
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Yes. It's the same section. Box, Foxen...same thing. The multi-mile grade is quite gradual, but after 70+ miles, you will notice it! I can't remember all the mile marks, but when you are nearing the top of the grade, there is a series of 2 or 3 serious climbs. Nothing too tough or very long, but they are a struggle to get over. After that, there is a real nice down hill, but the road is very rough, which takes some of the enjoyment out of it.
At the bottom of the decent, there is a hard left turn and a short while past that is the last sag stop. After the stop is the half mile climb they call the monster. You will notice this climb!
After that, there is about 10 or 15 miles left. This section has a few rollers and one last "out of the saddle" climb, but nothing like what you will have already covered. You sneak back into Solvang on a housing development road and you'll be finished before you know it.
Creative Thing03.5.08 - 3:48 pm
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Thanks Creative Thing, good to know. I plan on riding a fixed gear, so it's good to hear about these things ahead of time.
City Hobgoblin03.5.08 - 3:56 pm
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Hey Rogue Rida
thanks for reposting this thread. Do you think you have space for one more ?
Annie are you going ?
KataCyklsLA2NY03.5.08 - 5:50 pm
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Ok ... As I promised... Here is a few links to the camp grounds I am looking at. I am going to call to see if I can make reservations for the Lake Cachuma camp ground. It is closer and possibly riding distance to the start (10 miles or so). The second camp ground is pretty much in the back country about 15 or 20 miles away from the hwy. It is where I go to get the hell away from the city. It is cool and no park rangers in sight. There are restroom amenities if you were curious.
I am leaving LA around 5:30 or 6pm Friday night. I am most likely not coming home until Sunday. If I feel better than expected after a century, then maybe I will think about driving home.
My buddy and I are taking his work truck. It has room for 3 or 4 bikes and some camping gear. It is a extended cab Ford Ranger. If someone is small enough and willing to be cramped for two hours or so, they are welcome to go. Just an FYI, it is pokin smot friendly.
Here are the links to the sites I am looking at. The first is the Lake Cachuma site (with directions) the other is the Nira Camp.
http://www.santabarbara.com/activities/camping/cachumalake/
http://santabarbarahikes.com/hikes/sanrafael/directions/index.shtml?manzana_schoolhouse
Rogue Rida03.5.08 - 11:18 pm
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Rogue,
Call me the voice of reason, but PLEASE don't come home after the ride. Your adrenalin will rapidly fall off and a 2 hour ride will put you to sleep on the highway. Just enjoy the accomplishment of completing the century and party in Solvang with everyone else or at the campsite.
Driving home the same day and the chance for a car accident will be potentially high. We can't afford to lose any Ridazz!
off my soapbox now...
stevo403.5.08 - 11:49 pm
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anymore space? I'd like to ride this.
tern03.6.08 - 10:31 am
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Thanks for lookin out Stevo. My main plan was to camp after the race. I was just keeping the possibility open in case I felt good (doubt it). I love camping anyways. So any excuse to stay another night is fine with me!
Rogue Rida03.6.08 - 12:45 pm
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"2 hour ride"
2 hour century eh? Gonna be breaking the record pretty good on that one. Perhaps you should take a nap afterwards.
City Hobgoblin03.6.08 - 2:24 pm
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hahha.
Funny how that reads CityHB. I was referring to the 2 hr. drive back to the city, not the century.
stevo403.6.08 - 2:53 pm
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TheSinkRide TheSinkRide TheSinkRide TheSinkRide
IT SURE WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE YOU BEAUTIFUL PEEPS JOIN US, VENTURA IS ONLY 1HR SOUTH OF SOLVANG AND IT’S ON THE WAY LOS ANGELES!
JOIN US at least for ½ the ride, it’s a very beautiful Bike Trail, JOIN US????
Early morning breakfast @: 7 AM
Pete's Breakfast House
2055 E Main St
Ventura, CA 93001
And then, we roll out from here
450 E HARBOR BLVD VENTURA, CA 93001
Meet @ 8AM Roll Out @8:30AM
LET US KNOW IF YOU CAN JOIN US !!!
S.B.P. RiDa4LiF!03.7.08 - 8:39 pm
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Did anybody else do the Solvang Century?
My friend Jakob and I did it on fixed gears. 104 miles. Total ride time with stops was ~7:40. I saw one other guy on a track bike (he appeared to be a track racer with a team of roadies) and I heard about one other guy, so to my knowledge there were 4 people riding fixed. Jakob and I both rode gearing in the mid-70s (46x16 and 40x14.)
This ride was absolutely amazing. It was one of the hardest and most beautiful things I have ever done.
We left LA shortly after 5am and got underway at about 8:20am in Solvang in a heavy fog and cold air. 8 miles in the sun broke through, so we shed our sleeves, but the wind started to pick up almost immediately. From the outskirts of Solvang all the way to Santa Maria we fought a nasty headwind, gusts were probably 15 mph in some sections, which, combined with the hilly terrain, made it far more challenging than I anticipated. Also, this was the first supported ride either of us had done, so we needlessly lugged a 15-20lb backpack of food and supplies. By mile 50 I gave up on the goal of completing it in less than 7 hours and it became clear it would require intense effort just to finish. There were substantial climbs at mile ~85 and mile ~95. This ride pushed me farther mentally and physically than I’ve gone in a long time, maybe ever.
The scenery was the most beautiful I have seen in years: Farmland meandering through lush green valleys, wildflowers blooming, winding country roads, oak groves, cloudless, sunny, blue skies, and temperatures in the mid 70s. When the wind was at your back it was positively euphoric.
The vibe was amazing. Jakob and I stood out like sore thumbs: crappy bikes, jeans, t-shirts, sneakers, and a backpack in a crowd of lycra and pacelines. But passing roadies gave us constant accolades and encouragement and struck up small conversations. The few wise cracks we got were good natured and accompanied by a smile.
We split a single day-of registration between the two of us. I felt really good about this strategy. A lot of work went into this event: sheriffs controlled many major intersections, there were arrows all over the place marking the course, the sag stops were well stocked with fresh fruit, nuts, and water. Plus since we stood out so much I felt good about displaying a number. The split registration was a happy medium between poaching, which I wouldn’t have felt right about, and paying the (insane) $210 for two day-of registrations.
I highly recommend this ride. With the hilly terrain and springtime Central Coast winds, be prepared, it is a challenging 100 miles. But the effort is thoroughly rewarded.
City Hobgoblin03.10.08 - 12:28 pm
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Thanks for the report, CH.
It is a beautiful ride. Any cyclist that realized you two were doing the ride fixed would be very impressed. I know I tip my helmet to you! A multi gear bike makes it a lot easier!
Creative Thing03.10.08 - 4:00 pm
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Congrats!
As beautiful as that part of California is, i hate when a ride incorporates particular hilly sections near the end of a ride when one has time to, or even care to, enjoy the scenery when the ride gets mental and in your head. For me, its the last thing i'm thinking about when i'm huffing and puffing up an incline and my legs are saying wtf!
stevo403.10.08 - 4:08 pm
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Thanks guys.
steve04:
"when the ride gets mental and in your head."
Ha, yes I very distinctly recall the points when this occurred.
City Hobgoblin03.10.08 - 5:29 pm
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