Wildflower Ride in Creston April 28th

[SYV Rider]

My buddy and I registered for this ride that receives rave reviews, but want to know what to expect. If you've done it in the past, post your thoughts and tips (what to bring/not bring) for having a great experience. I've heard the food at the rest stops & support is top-notch. What about the lunch during the ride & BBQ afterwards? Thanks!

[DanteB]

They have everything at the lunch stop, more food then they will ever server. The after ride BBQ is chicken with all the trimmings, top notch! There are some nnice climbs in the morning, turning to rollers by the second rest stop. Between the second stop and lunch is pretty much flat. After lunch there is a climb up a canyon that can get hot, no wind in the canyon to cool it off. The last 20 mile loop of the century has a long 1-2% grade/false flat then some rollers. The weather is usually cold in the morning and sometimes in the afternoon it will run between 80-90 degrees.

[BCIpam]

We actualy had a discussion about this right after registration. Lunch is great. It's sandwich fixins'. Choices of bread, cold cuts, vegetables, lettuce, tomoatoes etc. Also the mot beautiful strawberryes (for which they are famous) and cookies. Sags are also great. And make sure you make the BBQ chicken dinner after and if can. the Spagetti dinner Friday night. What ride route are you doing? If a first time, I recommend the 75. A brutal climb in the first 10 miles but scenary is the prettiest.

[SYV Rider]

What ride route are you doing? If a first time, I recommend the 75. A brutal climb in the first 10 miles but scenary is the prettiest.We are doing the 75, as we figured we might be wiped out after doing the full 100, especially if it's hot and neither of us has done a full C yet. Baaaaaak. We're working up to it though.:) So far, so good. Thanks for the run down. BTW, the chicken BBQ sounds great. :D

[BCIpam]

I always recommend the 75 although the 50 is OK as well. I would never recommend this as someone's first century. There is this odd loop at about 80 miles which makes it so easy for someone to bail and ride back to the start instead of the Loop. Right out of the gate you start so climbing off onto a very beautiful country road, very light road traffic (as opposed to the 50 which travels along a busier road) for about 15 miles. At about 10 miles (maybe sooner) you'll hit a make or break hill. After that it gets very scenic, you will hit a busy road and then join back with the 50 group to ride down into Shell Beach and the 2nd sag stop. The ride through Shell is by favorite. I'm usually warmed up by then and get hit Shell moving. Find someone to draft behind and with cause there maybe a head wind. After Shell comes the lunch stop. Enjoy the food but not too much cause right after lunch you do some climbing, usually in hot weather.

Probably not going to be a good wildflower year but scenary is still nice as any country road can be. Have fun. This will be my 20th year so you can see I like the ride!!!

[big john]

SLOBC rides are known for great food. It is possible to eat too much on their rides, but at least you won't be hungry on the drive home.