I may regret opening up this can of worms, but...

I've never had a sub-5 hour century with a paceline. This route would seem like a good time to try. Is anyone up for a concerted paceline for a sub-5? I'm counting ride time only, we'd still take breaks every 25 miles or so.

Now this is beginning to sound more interesting ....

Since I've never tried it, I'll pass. I'd rather not bust my balls on the way out and have limp legs for the second half.

I may regret opening up this can of worms, but...

I've never had a sub-5 hour century with a paceline. This route would seem like a good time to try. Is anyone up for a concerted paceline for a sub-5? I'm counting ride time only, we'd still take breaks every 25 miles or so.

How many tandems are riding? Those of you worried about being whipped the second half, here's your opportunity to suck it up, so to speak, and enjoy some tandemonium. :D

How many tandems are riding? Those of you worried about being whipped the second half, here's your opportunity to suck it up, so to speak, and enjoy some tandemonium. :D

Woo Hoo! This is going to be fun!

Now this is beginning to sound more interesting ....

I'm counting on you, dude!

Woo Hoo! This is going to be fun!

If ya get the tailwind on the return trip I think ya got it easy.;)

I may regret opening up this can of worms, but...

I've never had a sub-5 hour century with a paceline. This route would seem like a good time to try. Is anyone up for a concerted paceline for a sub-5? I'm counting ride time only, we'd still take breaks every 25 miles or so.

This would be great. I would really want to emphasize rotating team time-trial style so we can keep it up for a good distance.

If ya get the tailwind on the return trip I think ya got it easy.;)

Are you in?

Are you in?

Dont know, I will have to see how it falls into my training schedule.:o

Good luck to the sub-5ers, I'm not there yet so hopefully some people will be with me on a more leisurely pace.

Good luck to the sub-5ers, I'm not there yet so hopefully some people will be with me on a more leisurely pace.

On this route, in a pace line and the return tailwind it would be much easier then you think.;)

On this route, in a pace line and the return tailwind it would be much easier then you think.;)

I hope you're right, but there's about 4000 ft of climb, mostly concentrated in the middle 30 miles. Assuming 16 mph for this section, we'd need to average 23 mph for the remaining 70 miles. It's no gimme, but doable.

This would be great. I would really want to emphasize rotating team time-trial style so we can keep it up for a good distance.

If you mean double line rotation, my only concern would be that Hwy1 is not that friendly to double lines :(. We could do it on Cloverdale, and some of the other parallel roads. It would be good practice regardless.

Dont know, I will have to see how it falls into my training schedule.:o

'Cmon, it's the end of the season, time to taper. Besides, we need you up front punching a big hole in the wind!

Good luck to the sub-5ers, I'm not there yet so hopefully some people will be with me on a more leisurely pace.

Don't worry SJroadie, there will be lots of people on the "sane" ride. Don't let this crazy sub-5 talk deter you!

Don't worry SJroadie, there will be lots of people on the "sane" ride. Don't let this crazy sub-5 talk deter you!

Since there's not much climbing I'll have to get a head start just to keep up with the "sane" group. :(

I hope you're right, but there's about 4000 ft of climb, mostly concentrated in the middle 30 miles. Assuming 16 mph for this section, we'd need to average 23 mph for the remaining 70 miles. It's no gimme, but doable.

16 mph going uphills?:eek: Where did you guys get your legs and can I buy some for myself.;)

16 mph going uphills?:eek: Where did you guys get your legs and can I buy some for myself.;)

Lots and lots of rollers along this route. Alan and I did the Sequoia Century and were flying through most of them at 24mph and better. I dont know the entire route, but I know you can really fly through alot of those rollers. You also get alot of 30+ mph decents rolling down em.:D

Lots and lots of rollers along this route. Alan and I did the Sequoia Century and were flying through most of them at 24mph and better. I dont know the entire route, but I know you can really fly through alot of those rollers. You also get alot of 30+ mph decents rolling down em.:D

Cool, this coastal century is starting to sound better and better.

For us half century folks... what time do you estimate you'll be at Half Moon Bay to meet up with us? I'm trying to work out a time with Thien so we can meet up on the way there.

Thanks!
Gary

Hey Everyone:

I just updated this on the first post. Here's my proposal for the ride:

Starting Location: Natural Bridges State Beach - Corner of Delaware and Natural Bridges
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=delaware+and+natural+bridges,+santa+cruz+california&sll=36.955242,-122.053471&sspn=0.042867,0.042744&ie=UTF8&om=1&z=16&iwloc=addr

Start time:
Century riders - 8am (the winds kick up around 10:30, 11-ish, so I wanted people to be able to complete the Northbound leg by then).

Half Century riders - 11:30am at HMB Coffee & Cafe

Lunch Stop: Half Moon Bay Coffee and Cafe - corner of Main St. and Stone Pine Rd (North end of Main St.)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=main+street+and+stone+pine+road,+half+moon+bay,+ca&sll=36.95477,-122.05698&sspn=0.015381,0.021415&ie=UTF8&z=17&iwloc=addr&om=1

Any comments?

Great! ~10am at HMB! That should give me enough time to get back for my softball league that evening!

Thanks! I'll see everyone there!

Gary

do you have a bikely.com map of this route? :)

Any comments?

What day is this, again? I wanna go.......

do you have a bikely.com map of this route? :)

Here it is. Pretty much up Hwy1 and back down.
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Coastal-Century

What day is this, again? I wanna go.......

Sunday, Sep. 23rd. It'll be different than your usual terrain in San Ramon. Would you know how to ride in cool weather :)?

Here it is. Pretty much up Hwy1 and back down.
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Coastal-Century



Sunday, Sep. 23rd. It'll be different than your usual terrain in San Ramon. Would you know how to ride in cool weather :)?


I don't think I have the clothes for it. :D How cool is "cool"?

Great! ~10am at HMB! That should give me enough time to get back for my softball league that evening!


In reality, it may be closer to 10:30 before the main group arrives, so you don't have to rush.

I don't think I have the clothes for it. :D How cool is "cool"?

Probably low 60s when we start and upper 60s at the end (just guessing). You'd better bring a parka and ear muffs :).

After riding in this 95 degree, smoky, humid, crappy air, the clean sea air should be a cinch to keep cool and hydrated in.

I may regret opening up this can of worms, but...

I've never had a sub-5 hour century with a paceline. This route would seem like a good time to try. Is anyone up for a concerted paceline for a sub-5? I'm counting ride time only, we'd still take breaks every 25 miles or so.

I'll give it a shot. I've never been close to a 5-hour century, though. I suspect I'd be at my limit trying to hang onto the pack in the flats, and then off the back after climbing out of the dip of one of the creeks. That's what has happened whenever I've tried riding in a fast group.

If I opt for the 50 mile ride, can anyone volunteer to give me a lift back to HMB? I'd toss in some $$ for gas.....

Here it is. Pretty much up Hwy1 and back down.
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Coastal-Century

Skipping Stage? That's good for the paceliners, but the machine-gun man sculpture is a great photo opportunity for the rest.

For the return, I'd say stay on Hwy 1 the whole way unless we're stopping somewhere. That avoids left turns to get off and left turns to get back on the highway.

Here's the picture of the machine-gun man that I took today while riding by during a ride from Santa Cruz to Half Moon Bay and back.
http://bp3.blogger.com/_tSP-m6DKhqI/RuM5ZCMy80I/AAAAAAAAAIo/uOJKnniZAUg/s320/2840197910_ORIG.jpeg

Skipping Stage? That's good for the paceliners, but the machine-gun man sculpture is a great photo opportunity for the rest.

Indeed

http://inlinethumb64.webshots.com/15551/2009953230068796226S600x600Q85.jpg

If I opt for the 50 mile ride, can anyone volunteer to give me a lift back to HMB? I'd toss in some $$ for gas.....
Same here. I would need a ride back too.

My car is still dead. I think I'm too lazy to fix it. :D

Based on some feedback, and considering that the sun rises later and later, I changed the Century start time to 8am and the Half Century start time to 11:30. Hope that works for all.

Hey Alan, I might be out. Pending on what the doc says. I've been having a lot of foot pain lately. Might have to take the screws out of my foot.

It'd be a nice ride, considering one of my goals this year was to do a century.

Based on some feedback, and considering that the sun rises later and later, I changed the Century start time to 8am and the Half Century start time to 11:30. Hope that works for all.

What's a guestimate of the time we'll be done? The boss (cough, cough... wife) wants to know. :o

Thanks!
Gary

What's a guestimate of the time we'll be done? The boss (cough, cough... wife) wants to know. :o

Thanks!
Gary

Figure 4 hours total. 3 hours riding, 1 hour of rest stops and miscellaneous.

Then you got to add the drive to and back.

I'm so pumped for this. College starts up again on the 24th.. so this is a great way to end the summer.

I know what you mean. I've been itching for a ride but I'm taking this weekend off and rest my knees for a change.

I may regret opening up this can of worms, but...

I've never had a sub-5 hour century with a paceline. This route would seem like a good time to try. Is anyone up for a concerted paceline for a sub-5? I'm counting ride time only, we'd still take breaks every 25 miles or so.

I should be able to make this ride, and am definitely interested in going for the sub-5 hour version. Can I assume the riders chosing this option would have some prior paceline experience?

Figure 4 hours total. 3 hours riding, 1 hour of rest stops and miscellaneous.

Then you got to add the drive to and back.

That's cool! I just found out I have a BYE that weekend so I don't have to worry about getting back for my game.

Also, thanks again for letting me hitch a ride with you on the way back!!!!

Gary

Also, thanks again for letting me hitch a ride with you on the way back!!!!
Gary

Is there room in the car for one more? Plus bike, of course...... :D

Is there room in the car for one more? Plus bike, of course...... :D

John: I've already got 3 people and bikes in the car. That's all my rack will handle. I'm sure we'll find a ride for you. Don't worry!!

I should be able to make this ride, and am definitely interested in going for the sub-5 hour version. Can I assume the riders chosing this option would have some prior paceline experience?

Let me just say that I think this will not be an easy sub-5. As I said before, we'll have to average 23+ mph on the flats for 70 miles! Then we'll have to maintain 16mph on the 30 mile stretch that has most of the 4,000 ft climbing.

If you haven't done a solo century in less than 5.5 hours, you probably shouldn't punish yourself on this one. If you haven't ridden a paceline before this century, you may not be ready to do a sub-5 either. I'm not trying to exclude or dissuade people here, just expressing my healthy regard for the difficulty of this goal...

Unfortunately, I'm gonna bail. I'm still fighting this crap I picked up in August. I can barely make 15 miles.
That's 3 in a row I've missed now. Still hoping for Mt Tam in Oct.
Pete

If I get permission to ride from the "boss" I'll be going for the sub 6.5 hour century. ;)

John: I've already got 3 people and bikes in the car. That's all my rack will handle. I'm sure we'll find a ride for you. Don't worry!!

>sniff< I don't think anybody likes me....... >sniff<

So is this a ride for the regulars on this board or are you welcoming first time posters as well? I've never done a this coastal century so I'd love to give it a go. Even if everyone is welcome I'm not sure I'll be able to make it - I'll need to check with my event planner for that Sunday to see what she has organised for me.

Let me just say that I think this will not be an easy sub-5. As I said before, we'll have to average 23+ mph on the flats for 70 miles! Then we'll have to maintain 16mph on the 30 mile stretch that has most of the 4,000 ft climbing.

If you haven't done a solo century in less than 5.5 hours, you probably shouldn't punish yourself on this one. If you haven't ridden a paceline before this century, you may not be ready to do a sub-5 either. I'm not trying to exclude or dissuade people here, just expressing my healthy regard for the difficulty of this goal...

Okay... just so I get this straight... most of the climbing will be during the trip up to HMB?

How much climbing is there on the second half of the ride (from HMB back to Santa Cruz) since I'll be doing the second half of the ride only?

I'm afraid I won't be able to keep up... anyone else on this ride feeling the same way? Or at least will there be anyone else in a slower group that I can ride with so I don't get lost if I drop?

Now I'm a bit worried about the pace of this ride.

Gary