Northern California - I'm in the planning stages of creating a Fall 2008 Century

Please look at this route and tell me what you think - http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/rotary-century-Fresno

It has, according to bikely.com's graph, a little over 2900 feet of climbing - most of which is in the first 45 miles - is that fair, or too much.

I am trying to do this as a fund raiser for the Rotary's Storyland and Playland parks in Roeding Park, Fresno, across from the Fresno Zoo.

I'd love to hear any input and/or interest in a ride like this.

Thanks,

Brian

2900' in 45 miles is easy, but I've never done a century so my opinion doesn't count.

I could make it more difficult. What level of climbing would you reasonably consider difficult that also won't keep people away?

It will be a fundraiser after all.

Looks fun, I'm not too familiar with the area, but if it becomes an event I'd definitely do it. 2900 feet over 45 miles (much less 100) isn't very much - it would probably challenge beginners who have little climbing experience.

Essentially it looks like an extended 1800 ft "climb" to mile ~40 with some rollers breaking it up a bit. I say "climb" because although it does go up to ~2200 ft from ~600ft it's over such a long distance that the grade would hardly be percieved as hilly until you get mile 33 or so (not counting some of the rollers). That's when starts to look steep, but even ~1400 ft over ~7 miles is just about an average %4 grade.

So while the elevation profile makes it look like you've got an impassable mountian the middle of the route, the amount of climbing is very reasonable, dare I say not enough to make it challenging for those more accustomed to spending a lot of their time in the hills. Some of my regular (http://www.routeslip.com/routes/23640) rides (http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/2392456) include twice as much climbing in 2/3 the distance.

Of course that doesn't mean it still wouldn't be a blast, count me in.

I could make it more difficult.

Yes, please.


What level of climbing would you reasonably consider difficult that also won't keep people away?

6000ft. I'm doing the Napa TdC in a few weeks, it's got in the neighborhood of 2000ft climbing and is regarded as pancake flat. The week after that I'm doing the Tour of the Uknown Coast, which has ~10,000ft climbing with a mile long 18% wall. 6000' is a good compromise, tough enough to keep it interesting, easy enough for beginners.


It will be a fundraiser after all.

It'd be a lot of work to create different length routes (ie 25, 50, 100 mile routes), but this is the common approach - you get the people who just want to contribute in 25 miles, a mix of beginners wanting a challenge and fundraisers in 50 miles, and people wanting a challege in 100 miles who happen to be happy to donate.

Thank you, those are excellent suggestions. I will play with the century first. The real problem is starting and finishing at Storyland & Playland, but it has to happen.

Well, I tweaked it to about 5300 ft of climbing, see:

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Rotary-International-Century-Draft-2

I'll try to add in some more as I can.

Well, I tweaked it to about 5300 ft of climbing, see:

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Rotary-International-Century-Draft-2

I'll try to add in some more as I can.

5300ft is a great improvement, this looks like a lot of fun. Count me in if this gets off the ground.