Northern California - Sequoia Century - Interest Thread

With all my flip flopping between NorCal and SoCal forum, looking for out of town organized rides, I completely overlooked that there is a local organized ride here in my backyard. Sequoia Century, put together by Western Wheelers, starts in Los Altos, and goes through Palo Alto, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, then back to Los Altos. I haven't done the entire loop, but I've done all the roads they will go through.

The century ... actually more than a century ... is 112 miles, and about 9,000 feet of climbing. This will get your heart pumping. Too bad it's not going through Woodside, but I can understand why, after all the animosity between the city of Woodside and cycling.

So many rides on this weekend ... hard to determine which one to do.

With all my flip flopping between NorCal and SoCal forum, looking for out of town organized rides, I completely overlooked that there is a local organized ride here in my backyard. Sequoia Century, put together by Western Wheelers, starts in Los Altos, and goes through Palo Alto, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, then back to Los Altos. I haven't done the entire loop, but I've done all the roads they will go through.

The century ... actually more than a century ... is 112 miles, and about 9,000 feet of climbing. This will get your heart pumping. Too bad it's not going through Woodside, but I can understand why, after all the animosity between the city of Woodside and cycling.

So many rides on this weekend ... hard to determine which one to do.


So when is it? And do you have a link?

So when is it? And do you have a link?

http://www.westernwheelers.org/main/sequoia/index.htm

however, YOU have a ride the day before :mad:

http://www.westernwheelers.org/main/sequoia/index.htm

however, YOU have a ride the day before :mad:


I do? Dang Im glad I have somebody to keep track of that stuff for me.:p :p :p

Which one is that??? Like I said, busy weekend. The same weekend has Eastern Sierra also.

I do? Dang Im glad I have somebody to keep track of that stuff for me.:p :p :p
yes, you are doing the sierra century (assuming you aren't needed at home) w/vmc, tiff, and me.... remember?????

hmmm ... Sierra and Sequoia on the same weekend. Sierra is on Saturday, and Sequoia is on Sunday. You can make it a double over two days.

I did the Sequoia last year, though I think they may have changed the route a little -- I don't remember it being 112 miles. I do remember lots and lots of climbing -- of the five centuries I did last year, it was definitely the toughest.

FYI, another good local century in June is the Giro de Peninsula (http://www.festafoundation.org/giro.html), which starts and ends at Bay Meadows and goes up Old La Honda, Tunitas Creek, etc.

Last year, they had an ice-cream truck at one of the rest stops -- can't beat an ice-cream sandwich at mile 70 -- and lunch at the end was catered by some local Italian restaurant. Plus there was a commemorative tshirt as part of the registration fee...

But even though it was a great value and a great route, it had noticeably fewer riders than any of the others I did.

I did the Sequoia last year, though I think they may have changed the route a little -- I don't remember it being 112 miles. I do remember lots and lots of climbing -- of the five centuries I did last year, it was definitely the toughest.

FYI, another good local century in June is the Giro de Peninsula (http://www.festafoundation.org/giro.html), which starts and ends at Bay Meadows and goes up Old La Honda, Tunitas Creek, etc.

Last year, they had an ice-cream truck at one of the rest stops -- can't beat an ice-cream sandwich at mile 70 -- and lunch at the end was catered by some local Italian restaurant. Plus there was a commemorative tshirt as part of the registration fee...

But even though it was a great value and a great route, it had noticeably fewer riders than any of the others I did.

OOOOOHHHHHH!!!!! And I'm free that weekend too!!!!! Thank you for pointing this one out!!! :D

yes, you are doing the sierra century (assuming you aren't needed at home) w/vmc, tiff, and me.... remember?????


Ohhhhhhh, your such a good secretary.:p :p :p Yeah, still wont know about that one yet.

I'm still on the fence about Eastern Sierra!

Sequoia is a good ride. I've done it the past 2 years. I think the stated elevation gain is a bit low, it's probably more like 10,000' but I don't know how much the route has changed.

At any rate, it's well-supported and there's usually a good variety of terrain, sometimes less-traveled. Good way to discover new routes.


As an aside: spingineer, were you out on the Portola loop this afternoon, around 5:30? I saw someone who looked suspiciously like your avatar, going clockwise. I was going counter-clockwise, in Webcor/Alto Velo kit. Near the Alpine/Portola intersection.

As an aside: spingineer, were you out on the Portola loop this afternoon, around 5:30? I saw someone who looked suspiciously like your avatar, going clockwise. I was going counter-clockwise, in Webcor/Alto Velo kit. Near the Alpine/Portola intersection.
Nope, that wasn't me. I haven't been on the road this week.

The route appears to have significant differences from the previous two years. Especially the section between Pescadero and Santa Cruz and the climb on Mountain Charlie.

The route appears to have significant differences from the previous two years. Especially the section between Pescadero and Santa Cruz and the climb on Mountain Charlie.
I actually like that part of the route. But I'm still not decided on doing this one or not ... too many rides happening the weekend this ride is on ... there's Eastern Sierra, Sierra, and Sequoia, all on the same weekend.

Ok, I'm officially a flake, now. After looking at the schedule, this particular weekend falls on a weekend where it's my turn to go see dad. So I won't be around for the weekend of 6/2-6/3. I was leaning more towards Sierra, but unfortunately I'll have to miss it. Sorry ... have fun on Sierra.

Ok, I'm officially a flake, now. After looking at the schedule, this particular weekend falls on a weekend where it's my turn to go see dad. So I won't be around for the weekend of 6/2-6/3. I was leaning more towards Sierra, but unfortunately I'll have to miss it. Sorry ... have fun on Sierra.

Yup, you're a flake! Now you have to take the first turn towing me up old la honda :p

you are up late trac

you are up late trac

just got to SLO... getting ready to go to sleep so I can ride wildflower tomorrow :p

wish I was riding with you...it sounds fun

wish I was riding with you...it sounds fun

ya gotta stop waffling and sign up for this stuff dauphin!!! :p ... now go sign up for Sierra on the 2nd!!! ;)

ok...long as you are pushin me:D

ok...long as you are pushin me:D

okay, I can push ya on the downhills ;)

Yup, you're a flake! Now you have to take the first turn towing me up old la honda :p
No problem. I was a slug yesterday, especially with the heat. ME still doesn't believe me when I say I'm slow on a hill, even though she beat me to the top of Casitas pass.

No problem. I was a slug yesterday, especially with the heat. ME still doesn't believe me when I say I'm slow on a hill, even though she beat me to the top of Casitas pass.

nope, me neither! Good Job yesterday, sounds like it was a great ride!

Bit of a bump.

I'm new to this forum, but thought I'd pipe up and say my wife and I are planning on doing the 100k on the Sequoia. It's our first organized ride and we're not up to century-level, but I'm really looking forward to it.

-Daniel

I've been thinking about doing this ride, the elevation gains look brutal, with no flats to cool down on. Is that true or am I just misreading the elevation maps.

Well, not to many *flats* but usually the descents are enough to cool down on. But yeah, there's a fair amount of climbing. It looks like less this year than previous years.

I'm in on Sequoia, although only doing the 100k in order to hang with some of my less masochistic friends...my concession to get them ready for the Santa Cruz Mountain Challenge in August.

I'm most likely in for the 112 mile ride. Won't be sure 'till later.

i'm in on the 100k route.

I'm in on Sequoia, although only doing the 100k in order to hang with some of my less masochistic friends...my concession to get them ready for the Santa Cruz Mountain Challenge in August.cool, I'll be doing Santa Cruz too.

I think I'll be signing up for the 112-mile. Edit - Just signed up for the 100k. West Alpine was beautiful last weekend. Hopefully, this cooler weather stays through Sunday.

I've been thinking about doing this ride, the elevation gains look brutal, with no flats to cool down on. Is that true or am I just misreading the elevation maps.

The climb up Page Mill has several flatter sections where you can rest between the steeper sections. Then there is a long flat section at the top before the downhill.

Im thinking I may do this 112 mile ride. Who else is in? SesameCrunch are you in?

OK. I just signed up for the 112 miler!

So far the weather is looking good for the ride.

Im in too.:eek: