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I'm a slow climber so something unlike the Mt Tam century would be good for me. I was thinking of doing Foxy's Fall in October but it includes Cardiac Hill. What do you think of that as a first century event? I've done two metrics so far, both this month, both included hills.
What was your first century event and how was it?
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Well, I did a bunch of cycling when I was living in LA. My first century was Solvang, and it was excellent. Beautiful century, but it is quite early in the season ... 2nd week of March. It definitely is cooler on that ride than it has been recently here.
I've never done Foxy's Fall, so I'm sorry, I cannot comment on that.
If you can wait till next spring and can head over to the Valley, there are two century rides that are about as close to flat as you'll get: the Lodi Sunrise Century, in (of course) Lodi; and the Delta Century, starting near Stockton. Each one can have some hefty headwinds (and tailwinds), though, and parts of the Delta Century are notorious for having rough pavement.
A few seconds with Google will take you to a bunch of ride reports about both events.
Are you talking about a metric century or a 100 miler? I've done both the Foxy's rides in their various guises and while it's relatively flat(ish) you're not going to get around hills; Cardiac is nothing if you've ridden any of the decent hills around the Bay Area (I think it's like, what, 1.5-2 miles long on the steeper side?). I think the climb up 128 to Mankas Corners(?) from the Vacaville side is more of a challenge. If you ride the metric ride it's pretty flat and somewhat uninspiring (because it doesn't really have any leg-breaking climbs), so maybe you'd like that one.
If you want a flat 100 miler, I'm thinking the Delta Century is about as flat as it's going to get.
You may not like hills, but they're the singular reason a lot of the rides around the Bay Area are so interesting
My first century was the Davis Double almost 30 years ago; I don't recommend that you make your first century a double century. :)
I'm talking about the 100 miler Foxy's Fall Century.
I did the Marin metric where we climbed Wilson Hill, Red Hill , etc. I also did the Tour of Napa last week that included Pope/Chiles and Ink Grade. I can climb but I don't think I can climb a lot in a 100 mile ride.
I'm talking about the 100 miler Foxy's Fall Century.
I did the Marin metric where we climbed Wilson Hill, Red Hill , etc. I also did the Tour of Napa last week that included Pope/Chiles and Ink Grade. I can climb but I don't think I can climb a lot in a 100 mile ride.
You should go for it; for a 100 miler it's not too bad climbing-wise, and if you catch it on a good year, the weather is absolutely perfect, and the dreaded wind is a non-event.
If you can wait until Feb next year, Chico Velo puts on a Century for tandem riders, so it's particularly flat. It's called the Rice Valley Tandem http://www.chicovelo.org/ . I chose this as my first century because it only had about 2000 ft of elevation. Great for a first ride. Only caution is that it might get windy in the afternoon, so go early.
There's also Bike Around the Buttes in April near Marysville, which was my first century. Can't get flatter than that. It goes over a lot of the same route as the Rice Valley Tandem Ralley.
If it weren't for the fact that it is sold out, you could have done Lighthouse Century, which starts in San Luis Obispo. Or you could ride it bandit.
Cardiac Hill is nothing, as some have already said. Foxy's would be your best bet for your first century with little hill work. I have 3 co-workers who plan on making Foxy's their first century. You can do it!
My first century was the Giro de Peninsula earlier this year. I live nearby and so I was familiar with the entire course which I found very helpful. Being familiar with the roads helped me pace myself and also gave me more confidence - I had done all the climbs, just not all on the same day ;)
I'm a slow climber too, looking to do my first century, after 2 frustrated attempts this year (Tierra Bella century, due to the rain, and the Delta Century).
I'm planning to do my first century at the Bonfante Harvest Ride (Gilroy). It has 5000ft of climbing, but after completing the Tour of Max (7000ft), I think I'm ready to try it - powered by my NorCal Bike Forums Jersey!! - :D
I couldn't find any information about the ride this year. I did the metric century last year and it was great! We had great weather and beautiful scenery.
Anyway, here's the information from last year's ride:
Date: Saturday October 21, 2006
Location: Gilroy, CA
Type of Event: Touring
The Last Great Ride of the Season, out of Bonfante Gardens Family Theme Park, features beautiful rides for all ability levels. Stronger rides can choose from among a full century (5000ft.), a 100K (3000ft.) and a 50K (1000ft.). Families and beginners can opt for a 10 mile ride along the scenic Uvas Creek Levee, while the youngest riders can ride Inside the park before it opens to the public. Rides include SAG, rest stops, and goodie bags, and a park-provided post-ride meal.
The Rice Valley Tandem Rally and The Bike Around The Buttes rides are flat and scenic. The Sunrise Century is sorta flat, with about 3,000' of climbing. The last 20-25 miles in are flat, but into a stiff headwind. The Delta Century is flat, uninteresting, and usually very windy. The Canyon Classic out of Patterson has the challenge of Del Puerto Cyn, but otherwise is fun and interesting.
They've all since passed for this year.
The only available "easy" ones left are the Tahoe Sierra Century in Sept and the Konocti Challenge in Oct.
Tahoe or Solvang. There is a Solvang century in november.
Zorro:
Bonfante Gardens got sold this year. Now, I don't see their Century ride website at all. I am not sure this ride will be held this year???
I'm a slow climber too, looking to do my first century, after 2 frustrated attempts this year (Tierra Bella century, due to the rain, and the Delta Century).
I'm planning to do my first century at the Bonfante Harvest Ride (Gilroy). It has 5000ft of climbing, but after completing the Tour of Max (7000ft), I think I'm ready to try it - powered by my NorCal Bike Forums Jersey!! - :D
I couldn't find any information about the ride this year. I did the metric century last year and it was great! We had great weather and beautiful scenery.
Anyway, here's the information from last year's ride:
Date: Saturday October 21, 2006
Location: Gilroy, CA
Type of Event: Touring
The Last Great Ride of the Season, out of Bonfante Gardens Family Theme Park, features beautiful rides for all ability levels. Stronger rides can choose from among a full century (5000ft.), a 100K (3000ft.) and a 50K (1000ft.). Families and beginners can opt for a 10 mile ride along the scenic Uvas Creek Levee, while the youngest riders can ride Inside the park before it opens to the public. Rides include SAG, rest stops, and goodie bags, and a park-provided post-ride meal.
Zorro:
Bonfante Gardens got sold this year. Now, I don't see their Century ride website at all. I am not sure this ride will be held this year???
That would be too bad. It was a very nice event. My son & I rode the metric last year and had a great time.
Hey, come ride Foxy's Fall -- it's a great ride, scenic and fun. You've done Ink Grade and the Marshall Wall -- Cardiac is very doable -- in fact, if it's the same route as last year, it's actually easier from the Napa side than the Vacaville side. The other plus is that you don't have to climb to the dam. I think you'll enjoy it.
Let us know if you decide to ride it so we can maybe meet up. You may also like riding in the vortex formed by our tandem. :D
Thanks for the invite, Red Rider!
Zorro:
Bonfante Gardens got sold this year. Now, I don't see their Century ride website at all. I am not sure this ride will be held this year???
I'm afraid that might be true. I couldn't find anything about their Century ride for this year (not even at active.com) :(
But thanks to this thread I'm finding some other interesting options. I'm definitely going to try my first century this year.
I'm afraid that might be true. I couldn't find anything about their Century ride for this year (not even at active.com) :(
But thanks to this thread I'm finding some other interesting options. I'm definitely going to try my first century this year.
Don't forget about the second annual HMB-Santa Cruz century :)
You guys are inspiring me to try my first century too. If I'm in town I'd be up for joining you at whichever one you decide on.
How's the wind at Foxy's? I heard the wind is relentless.
http://www.cyclecalifornia.com/centuries.html
I just found this!
I'm definitely going to try my first century this year.
You guys are inspiring me to try my first century too. If I'm in town I'd be up for joining you at whichever one you decide on.
Don't forget about the second annual HMB-Santa Cruz century :)
I held a self-organized century for a group of my friends last year that went from my house in HMB to Santa Cruz and back. It was a mild century with just about 4500 ft. of climb. I'm planning another one this September. This time I'm thinking of starting out in Santa Cruz, so if the wind kicks up in the pm, it'll be at our backs, pushing us home. It'll be especially good for first timers.
If you or others are interested, we could open up the ride to BFer's.
I'm down for that if the timing is right. SC to HMB and back sounds like a beautiful ride.
I held a self-organized century for a group of my friends last year that went from my house in HMB to Santa Cruz and back. It was a mild century with just about 4500 ft. of climb. I'm planning another one this September. This time I'm thinking of starting out in Santa Cruz, so if the wind kicks up in the pm, it'll be at our backs, pushing us home. It'll be especially good for first timers.
If you or others are interested, we could open up the ride to BFer's.
How do you get to SC?
How do you get to SC?
Last year, we just went up and down Hwy1. This time, I plan to do some of the parallel roads like Cloverdale, Stage, etc. for a little variety and to get to a full 100 miles (last year's was 96 miles).
Oooh, that's a nice ride, let me know when you plan to do it !
Cloverdale and Stage are roller-y but the climbs aren't steep. And I'm always up for a snack stop in Pescadero. :)
How's the wind at Foxy's? I heard the wind is relentless.
The wind was blowing in the flatlands on the way home. Otherwise it was overcast and calm for much of the ride, nice cool temps. for the most part. I've ridden through worse wind and it wouldn't deter me from riding this course.
And I'm always up for a snack stop in Pescadero. :)
As in Duartes?:)
Oooh, that's a nice ride, let me know when you plan to do it !
Would love to have you. What weekends work well for you (what with your busy riding schedule and all...)?
It looks like I should start a new thread called "NorCal Coastal Century"
Last year, we just went up and down Hwy1. This time, I plan to do some of the parallel roads like Cloverdale, Stage, etc. for a little variety and to get to a full 100 miles (last year's was 96 miles).
Remember that the winds usually blow north to south along the coast, and can get pretty strong at times. I like riding on Hwy 1 going south, then taking the inland route to hide from the wind on the way back. After the north end of Stage and a short stretch of Hwy 1, the inland route continues north on Verde and Higgins-Purisima all the way to HMB.
As in Duartes?:)
Duarte's is really slow for a snack stop, especially on weekends when the place is packed for lunch. I prefer the bakery across the street or the Mexican place at the corner.
http://www.cyclecalifornia.com/centuries.html
I just found this!
Here's a better one: http://www.bbcnet.com/RideCalendar/RideListDate.asp
Duarte's is really slow for a snack stop, especially on weekends when the place is packed for lunch. I prefer the bakery across the street or the Mexican place at the corner.
What johnny said.
Archangeli's Grocery (http://www.normsmarket.com/store/) has the most incredible baked goods - amazing artichoke bread and delectable crossaints, and other bits of heaven. They have picnic benches behind the store and there's a porta-potty nearby (since it's such a popular stopping place for cyclists, no doubt).
Remember that the winds usually blow north to south along the coast, and can get pretty strong at times. I like riding on Hwy 1 going south, then taking the inland route to hide from the wind on the way back. After the north end of Stage and a short stretch of Hwy 1, the inland route continues north on Verde and Higgins-Purisima all the way to HMB.
I'm planning to start this ride from Santa Cruz just for that reason.
I'm planning to start this ride from Santa Cruz just for that reason.
Put me on your notification list. Sounds like fun!
http://www.tourdorganics.com/ this looks fun. You know there is going to be good food there! ;)
anyone doing this???
I'm a slow climber so something unlike the Mt Tam century would be good for me. I was thinking of doing Foxy's Fall in October but it includes Cardiac Hill. What do you think of that as a first century event? I've done two metrics so far, both this month, both included hills.
What was your first century event and how was it?
You've already done a TnT season, how about a 2nd? They're still accepting riders for Tour of Tucson -109 miles, 2,000 feet of climbing. It's on Nov. 17th, and honestly if you can do the Napa metric, the training rides I've seen so far won't bother you at all. This is supposed to be just a fast, fun ride, and the team seems like a good group of people too.
JB
I had a tough time raising money, otherwise, I'd do it again. Maybe next year. Tell Nader that Chris said hi. He's a participant this time around. He was a mentor for Marin.
I held a self-organized century for a group of my friends last year that went from my house in HMB to Santa Cruz and back. It was a mild century with just about 4500 ft. of climb. I'm planning another one this September. This time I'm thinking of starting out in Santa Cruz, so if the wind kicks up in the pm, it'll be at our backs, pushing us home. It'll be especially good for first timers.
If you or others are interested, we could open up the ride to BFer's.
I'd do it. In fact, since the local club ride (http://www.santacruzcycling.org/ldtsg/upcoming.shtml) on the 8th is Pescadero to Half Moon Bay, I'll be doing it anyhow. But it would be nice to have some wheels to suck from Santa Cruz to Pescadero. Two weeks ago, the last time I rode up the coast to Pescadero, the headwind was blowing by 8am. Though it wasn't terribly strong, it was a relief to make that right turn onto Gazos Creek Rd (to the smell of manure).
What johnny said.
Archangeli's Grocery (http://www.normsmarket.com/store/) has the most incredible baked goods - amazing artichoke bread and delectable crossaints, and other bits of heaven. They have picnic benches behind the store and there's a porta-potty nearby (since it's such a popular stopping place for cyclists, no doubt).
+1 We were considering stopping there for lunch on a supported ride!
JB
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