Southern California - Century from Van Nuys To Santa Barbara - Information Gathering Thread

I'm seriously considering mapping out and putting together a route for a ride from the Metrolink station in Van Nuys to the Amtrak station in Santa Barbara with a stop for lunch on State Street somewhere. I'm trying to determine interest. I would design the route to include climbing, but until I start mapping, I don't know the gain yet (duh). Depending on route, I'd start this one early so that we could make a train back from SB at 4:29pm. However, that is not the last train out, so we could leave on the 7pm train, and plan to leave later in the morning and eat in SB after the ride and then take the Amtrak back.

I've included a poll to access interest. Please give me your thoughts and I'll start planning. I'm looking at either late March (if I'm not doing Solvang double) or sometime in April, but on a weekend that no major ride is occurring so there will be little conflict. Upfront, I will tell you that I doubt there will be SAG on this ride as I don't have a DH that can do it- so, unless I find a volunteer, it would be an unsupported ride, but with designated stops along the route to buy water and fuel.

Also, if there are some of you who are interested and know a route up that you love through canyons (i.e. those of you in TO, etc.), I'm open to suggestions for sure. No, I'm not asking you to map for me - just suggestions of canyons/roads that you have ridden that are particular fun/challenging/less traffic. I actually would like to design the route myself as I love riding up the coast and through those areas.

Okay, who is interested? (please take the poll so I can keep numbers)

Uh...did you forget the poll?

Uh...did you forget the poll?
No, sigh. This forum posts the thread before one can complete the poll! Drives me crazy. :p

Sounds interesting. I was looking at Amtrak from Santa Ana to Van Nuys, but the earliest is 9:30 or so.

Sounds interesting. I was looking at Amtrak from Santa Ana to Van Nuys, but the earliest is 9:30 or so.

Huh?:rolleyes: Santa Ana?

Huh?:rolleyes: Santa Ana?

Train ride (for me) to the start, then straight from SB to home.

Train ride (for me) to the start, then straight from SB to home.
Look it, Volt, I came your way yesterday. You just drive on up for this one (or carpool with any of the other OCers). :D

I'm up for it. And generally winds are favorable during winter months. :)

I'll have to wait and see which date you pick and see if it works for me. :)

I'll have to wait and see which date you pick and see if it works for me. :)
Yes, but vote "yes" - so I know you're interested without having to go back and read everyone's comments. :o

Yes, but vote "yes" - so I know you're interested without having to go back and read everyone's comments. :o

Okay, okay. I picked the early option...children and all, you know. ;)

I'm in !

Voted.

I can help mapping if you need. I believe Thomson and Paul have already mapped out a route so maybe they can be of assistance.

Okay, okay. I picked the early option...children and all, you know. ;)
I completely understand! Thanks for voting. :)

Adam, please vote which option! :D

I'm up for it. And generally winds are favorable during winter months. :)
Did you vote in the poll? :D

Did you vote in the poll? :Dyes I did.......I voted for the 7pm train but return time makes no diff. to me...

yes I did.......I voted for the 7pm train but return time makes no diff. to me...
ooh..sorry :o

What exactly is "linner" in SB?

What exactly is "linner" in SB?

Linner is like having supper in Santa Barbara before boarding the train...:D

I did a route that Danno suggested and I really liked it.

If theres a ride I come out to, it'll definately be this one. Expect me there if you guys do end up doing this

Voted for the earlier option due to demands of fatherhood. ;)

Linner is like having supper in Santa Barbara before boarding the train...:D

What's sad is that it took me a few minutes of reading it to realize that it was suppossed to say "dinner". i thought it was some BF joke that I had missed :rolleyes:

Voted for the earlier option due to demands of fatherhood. ;)

YEA right...lol

Actually we can start the drinking on the train on the way back...WHERE IS THAT OPTION???

If theres a ride I come out to, it'll definately be this one. Expect me there if you guys do end up doing this


:roflmao:

:roflmao:

Hey I was going to come out to that OC ride even though I got home at 1, I got your email and then went to sleep :P

+100 on rides that start close to my place :)

+100 on rides that start close to my place :)

Yea I agree, the driving is a PITA w/ out a bikerack

I have never been on a century ride... what is involved and how much do you have to train to be prepared to ride one?

I have never been on a century ride... what is involved and how much do you have to train to be prepared to ride one?

Get at least a 60-80 mile ride solo in and you should be pretty good(you can draft off the stronger riders).

Start building up miles instead of trying to break Lance's sprint speeds. Eat well and drink plenty, you should be fine.

Get at least a 60-80 mile ride solo in and you should be pretty good(you can draft off the stronger riders).

Start building up miles instead of trying to break Lance's sprint speeds. Eat well and drink plenty, you should be fine.

Thanks for the info. I think the longest ride I have done so far has been about 30 miles. Looks like I have much more riding to do! I think I understand about drafting... I was commuting to work one day and had a bunch of riders come up behind me. I wasn't struggling but the ride seemed to get easier when I began following them... :rolleyes:

What exactly is "linner" in SB?

Contraction of lunch and dinner?

Contraction of lunch and dinner?Oh, now I get it.......duh:D

Oh, now I get it....

I am a little concerned as I am starting to understand Tennessee'ian

Depending upon the usual issues (date, family obligations, etc) I would consider this one. If the route goes through the Conejo, I'll pick up the group here. If through Simi, I would drive to the Amtrak station and leave my car there for the return.

Sheldon

What's sad is that it took me a few minutes of reading it to realize that it was suppossed to say "dinner". i thought it was some BF joke that I had missed :rolleyes:


"Linner" is actually like brunch. It's Lunch and dinner combined. If we have linner in SB, we would eat sometime between 4:00-6:00 and then get to the station in time to board the 7pm train. The train gets back to Van Nuys a little after 9pm, I believe. But there are snacks and beer on the train for those who get hungry riding back.

:roflmao:


Since I have Ovoleggy on ignore, would you please respond back :rolleyes: for me? Thanks, Fixerleg. :p

+100 on rides that start close to my place :)
+1,000,000

I'm good with any rides that start in the SFV!

I'm having linner then. :)
Others wishing to leave early can board the earlier train. It really makes no difference at that point at the ride's conclusion who boards which train...

I have never been on a century ride... what is involved and how much do you have to train to be prepared to ride one?

Clanlee, I personally would not choose an unorganized ride (one that is not sponsored with designated rest stops and SAG vehicles...e.g. you'd be better off with the Solvang Century - which you pay for and is sponsored) as my first century, but that's just me.:o I'm not trying to discourage you, but I can't guarantee a SAG vehicle and if you got out on this route and were miserable, it would be hard for a group of riders who are used to riding that distance to slow their pace considerably to accommodate. However, with that being said, if you ride 100 miles between now and the time I set this ride up and you think I'm a nut (I can assure you that I am :p), then do please join. I hope that doesn't offend you in any way and that you WILL join on a BF ride but just one with a little less mileage until you are comfortable.

Also, there are lots of threads on riding your first century in the Long Distance Forum and they are very informative! :)

Since I have Ovoleggy on ignore, would you please respond back :rolleyes: for me? Thanks, Fixerleg. :p

My quoting him doesn't appear on your screen?

I am a little concerned as I am starting to understand Tennessee'ian
Ahh..Jim, you got it! But I don't think linner is Tennessee'ian speak. It would be spelled and pronounced Layneer if I was speaking hick talk. ;)

My quoting him doesn't appear on your screen?
Yes, but I can't respond back to him only you! Get it? :D

Ahh..Jim, you got it! But I don't think linner is Tennessee'ian speak. It would be spelled and pronounced Layneer if I was speaking hick talk. ;)

:D :D :D

Yes, but I can't respond back to him only you! Get it? :DOh, I got it.....I'm a little slow today.... What message would you like me to send him?

I voted. Hopefully the date will work for me. :)

What message would you like me to send him?

:rolleyes: and at least two :mad: :mad: Thanks. ;)

I voted. Hopefully the date will work for me. :)

Well that will be my next maneuver, finding a date that works. I'm going to look for a weekend on which there are no major rides to speak of. I hope you can join, Tiff! :)

Well that will be my next maneuver, finding a date that works. I'm going to look for a weekend on which there are no major rides to speak of. I hope you can join, Tiff! :)

Tired of all those deadbeat guys?

Tired of all those deadbeat guys?
:rolleyes: Go do a recovery ride, will ya! You are obviously bored. ;) Speaking of, I'm off to do my recovery ride. :D

"Linner" is actually like brunch. It's Lunch and dinner combined.

I've never heard that term before. Supper, yes but not linner. Learn something new everyday :)

I've never heard that term before. Supper, yes but not linner. Learn something new everyday :)Have you heard of brunch?

(just messing with ya...:D)