RATE THE Amtrack Century

[caligurl]

Amtrack Century (http://www.ocw.org/Amtrak/Default.asp)
Irvine (to San Diego)
September


rate using this format, please!

1 = Dismal, will never ride again and wouldn't recommend it!
2 = Not so great, but others seemed to enjoy the ride
3 = So-so, with minor improvements I'd do it again
4 = Darn good ride, I'd do it again and recommend it
5 = Outstanding on every level that matters to me! I'd suggest you do it next year for sure!

Please include the following:

Name of Ride:
Location:
When:
Type: (century, double, double-metric, metric)
Number of Riders: (Approximate)
Organizer: (name of bike club/organization)
Rating: (please use the 1-5 scale)
Comments on SAG support and Rest Stops: (what food was provided, SAG support presence etc.)
Comments on the route: (constructive thoughts, ideas, favorite aspects, etc.)

[BCIpam]

OK I like OCW - they are a sister club to BCI but I am not a fan of this ride and I'm probably in the minority.

I give it a 3 - it's OK. Been there done that probably never again since I can ride the route whenever I want and when it's not friggin hot and full of crazy newbie century riders!!!

The sags are adequate but not creative like the SLOBC rides. Have to deal with lots of traffic along the beach cities and especially though San Clemente and Del Mar. I would much rather do Cool Breeze but again I am in minority.

I did have my best century time however (6 hours 50 minutes total time) so I shouldn't complain.

[madmike]

OK I like OCW - they are a sister club to BCI but I am not a fan of this ride and I'm probably in the minority.

I give it a 3 - it's OK. Been there done that probably never again since I can ride the route whenever I want and when it's not friggin hot and full of crazy newbie century riders!!!

The sags are adequate but not creative like the SLOBC rides. Have to deal with lots of traffic along the beach cities and especially though San Clemente and Del Mar. I would much rather do Cool Breeze but again I am in minority.

I did have my best century time however (6 hours 50 minutes total time) so I shouldn't complain.

No you're not alone. I wasn't impressed with this ride at all. Could be for a few reasons. I help organize the MS150 from Orange County to San Diego and I ride this route quite a bit.

Name of Ride: Amtrak
Location: Orange County / San Diego
When: Mid September
Type: Century ONLY.
Number of Riders: (Approximate) 1200-1500?
Organizer: OCW
Rating: 2
Comments on SAG support and Rest Stops: I don't remember seeing SAG all that often. Food stops were limited. They were running out of food at the lunch stop, a guy in my group had mechanical issues. We were told to ride faster next time. No post ride food.
Comments on the route: I ride a similar route 5-10 times a year. So it's a little boring for me. Plus there is a section when you get to San Diego that the roads aren't the safest.

Pam, I'd ride the Cool Breeze metric I'd ride this organized ride again!

[1955]

No you're not alone. I wasn't impressed with this ride at all. Could be for a few reasons. I help organize the MS150 from Orange County to San Diego and I ride this route quite a bit.

Name of Ride: Amtrak
Location: Orange County / San Diego
When: Mid September
Type: Century ONLY.
Number of Riders: (Approximate) 1200-1500?
Organizer: OCW
Rating: 2
Comments on SAG support and Rest Stops: I don't remember seeing SAG all that often. Food stops were limited. They were running out of food at the lunch stop, a guy in my group had mechanical issues. We were told to ride faster next time. No post ride food.
Comments on the route: I ride a similar route 5-10 times a year. So it's a little boring for me. Plus there is a section when you get to San Diego that the roads aren't the safest.

Pam, I'd ride the Cool Breeze metric I'd ride this organized ride again!

Correction...this ride accepts 1000 riders and 800 can ride the train back.

[SipperPhoto]

I like this ride. I've done it twice... But i do agree with the rest of you, in that, I can ride the route anytime I want. I've never had any problems with SAG, just never needed it. I've heard about the food problems, with them running out and such, but I've never experienced it.

I might do it again. It's a good first timer century. A decent route, until you get into San Diego, then it can get a bit confusing.

I'd give it a 3.

jeff

[BCIpam]

You know that's the problem with this ride for me... it's said to be a good first century so alot of newbies do it. Now if you ask me no it's not. There is some significant climbing in the beginning (for a newbie ) and then there's Torrey Pines at 80 miles and usually it's 100 degrees out. I have learned to start the ride alittle later (usually around 7:45 - 8a) to miss all the newbies taking off and going everywhichway but at some point I still catch up to them, usually around Dana Point. And yes riding into San Diego is really dangerous. 2 years ago I saw a woman cross over 5 lanes of traffic with cars coming fast and I guess she assumed since it was an event ride the cars knew and would stop for her - I just think the Good Lord wasn't ready to take her that day.

Anyway newbies - first century - do either Palm Springs (OK I know this ride has problems as well) or definately do Cool Breeze. A much better option.

[SipperPhoto]

You know that's the problem with this ride for me... it's said to be a good first century so alot of newbies do it. Now if you ask me no it's not. There is some significant climbing in the beginning (for a newbie ) and then there's Torrey Pines at 80 miles and usually it's 100 degrees out. I have learned to start the ride alittle later (usually around 7:45 - 8a) to miss all the newbies taking off and going everywhichway but at some point I still catch up to them, usually around Dana Point. And yes riding into San Diego is really dangerous. 2 years ago I saw a woman cross over 5 lanes of traffic with cars coming fast and I guess she assumed since it was an event ride the cars knew and would stop for her - I just think the Good Lord wasn't ready to take her that day.

Anyway newbies - first century - do either Palm Springs (OK I know this ride has problems as well) or definately do Cool Breeze. A much better option.

I do agree with you here... Nothing is worse for the newbie ride, than the MS-150. I feel the ride is very well organized, and basically the same route, minus the trek up Bake Pkwy. The amount of newbies on thsi ride is amazing. I'm all for people getting out and riding, but on this year's ride (my first MS ride) I had people yelling at me for not saying "On the left" as I was passing them on Torrey Pines. I was at least 6-8 feet to the left of them, but yet a few of them yelled at me for not warning them.

I also had another guy, who was riding a MTB with a trail-a-bike and his 8 year old, who had to get off the bike on PCH just North of Salt Creek. His kid was in the bike lane, I was about 30 feet back. I yelled, nicely, to try and get their attention. He got out of the bike lane and onto the sidewalk, but his kid was drifting towards the edge of the bike lane on PCH. Now you know how busy PCH is. When I got closer I said, "Watch your kid, he was starting to drift off into traffic." To which I got a very nice response of "F*** off!"

Did I do something wrong here? I just didn't want to see his kid become a statistic. It aggravated me for about the next 20 miles or so...

[voltman]

I do agree with you here... Nothing is worse for the newbie ride, than the MS-150. I feel the ride is very well organized, and basically the same route, minus the trek up Bake Pkwy. The amount of newbies on thsi ride is amazing. I'm all for people getting out and riding, but on this year's ride (my first MS ride) I had people yelling at me for not saying "On the left" as I was passing them on Torrey Pines. I was at least 6-8 feet to the left of them, but yet a few of them yelled at me for not warning them.

I also had another guy, who was riding a MTB with a trail-a-bike and his 8 year old, who had to get off the bike on PCH just North of Salt Creek. His kid was in the bike lane, I was about 30 feet back. I yelled, nicely, to try and get their attention. He got out of the bike lane and onto the sidewalk, but his kid was drifting towards the edge of the bike lane on PCH. Now you know how busy PCH is. When I got closer I said, "Watch your kid, he was starting to drift off into traffic." To which I got a very nice response of "F*** off!"

Did I do something wrong here? I just didn't want to see his kid become a statistic. It aggravated me for about the next 20 miles or so...

So you're saying it was a poor ride for newbies because you were riding it?

[SipperPhoto]

So you're saying it was a poor ride for newbies because you were riding it?



hehe not quite... it wasn't a decent ride for me, because of the newbies to deal with. When safety, mainly my own, becomes a problem because of someone's lack of experience, or in this case, common sense, it really kinda ruins it a bit for me.

[Rick@OCRR]

I've ridden the Amtrak (really should be the Metro Link, since that's the train they use) Century several times and had a great time, no problems with newbies at all. I just start early (6:30 AM) and ride fast (20+ mph) and the folks who ride that pace are plenty competent, not to mention (but I will) quite friendly and great fun to ride with.

The SAG stops have always been open, with plenty of good food and v.friendly volunteers so no complaints there. And I've found the organization, route markings, gear shuttle and everything else quite good actually.

So I must be in the minority here, but I think its a great ride. I've ridden it several times before and I'll probably ride it again. Pam is right about it being a fast century too! I remember we did a 5:18 one year and beat that with a 5:09 the next! Plus, we got to San Diego early enough to shower, change clothes, go out to eat and we were well rested for the train ride back.

I should mention, since no one else has, that the train ride back is quite the eating / drinking / party ride, and just as much fun (though a different kind, certainly) as the ride down.

Agreed, the last bit to the station through San Diego is rather traffic challenged!

Best Regs,
Rick . OCRR