Allright, this topic has been started in another thread and there's been enough interest to warrant its own discussion.
I'm proposing a "mild" century for us NorCal Forum-ites in late September. This ride will start in Santa Cruz and go up Hwy1 and some parallel roads into Half Moon Bay. We'll have lunch at a coffee shop in HMB and then turn around and head back to Santa Cruz via Hwy1 all the way (with the wind at our backs). Mileage will be just over 100 miles and elevation will be around 4,000 ft. There are plenty of stores and parks along the way for rest stops. If there's enough people, I'll arrange for some SAG support along the way.
This will be great route for a first century - not too hard, but still challenging! We'll be riding along the ocean, through open farmland, up coastal hills and a little into the redwoods. I organized this last year for a bunch of my friends and we had a great time.
I'm thinking Sunday, Sep. 23rd. So, who's interested?
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
Half Century riders - 11:30am from 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
Roll Call:
Full Century Riders
SesameCrunch
JoBob
ZorroV999
gpliu
damnpoor
Made in Warsaw
Cgallagh
RedRider
Smoooth
Sassy
MsIncredible
Mtnwalker
SJroadie
twocoasttb
MrCJOlsen
Half Century Riders
Gee3
AzureDrpTp
Steelblue
X136
Bigbossman
jobob
08-27-07, 11:13 PM
I'd love to do it but can't on the weekend of the 30th, that's the Waves to Wine ride.
Any chance you could make it Sat the 22nd or Sun the 23rd? :o
Gee3
08-27-07, 11:19 PM
I'm with Joanne... that's the same weekend as the MS ride. Why not do it another weekend and join us on the MS ride. :D
spingineer
08-27-07, 11:28 PM
I'll have to check if I'm on-call that weekend.
jobob
08-27-07, 11:49 PM
Thanks Alan ! I'll be there.
cgallagh
08-27-07, 11:57 PM
Red Rider and I are looking at our schedules. Right now we don't see anything to stop us. Will stay posted and see but this looks like a fun ride for the tandem.
zorrov999
08-28-07, 12:02 AM
I'm thinking Sunday,[Edit] Sep. 23rd. So, who's interested?
I'm in ! Sunday, September 23rd works for me :D
AzureDrpTp
08-28-07, 12:04 AM
This would be my first century... And Sunday the 23rd is perfect for me. Count me in!
msincredible
08-28-07, 12:17 AM
I should be in, I think I'm flying back into the country the day before. :)
SesameCrunch
08-28-07, 08:48 AM
I just had another brainstorm - If you're not up for a full century yet, you could meet us in Half Moon Bay and just ride down to Santa Cruz. But, be sure to arrange for transportation back first from one of the century riders. That would be a 50 mile, flat ride with the wind at your back!
cantdrv55
08-28-07, 09:34 AM
OMG, I'd love to do this! Unfortunately, the 23rd is too soon after my son's birth (Sept 14). If you all can push it back to October, I can make it. If not, I'll ride it next time (if there is a next time).
BlastRadius
08-28-07, 09:46 AM
I'll check the family calendar.
So for the ride we'd drive to Santa Cruz, then ride north and back?
SesameCrunch
08-28-07, 10:09 AM
I'll check the family calendar.
So for the ride we'd drive to Santa Cruz, then ride north and back?
That's the plan, Henry. I don't want to flirt with the wind. It can be pretty brutal riding 45 miles into a strong headwind, as I'm sure you know... On the other hand, 15-20mph winds at your back - now we're talking!
Gee3
08-28-07, 10:40 AM
The one thing I'm nervous about doing a century is that I've been getting cramps at around the 40 mile mark so I'm hesitant to do it in fear of bonking and slowing down the group. (it's also my worry for the MS ride!)
Although the 50 mile ride from Half Moon Bay down to Santa Cruz might be okay if I can get a ride back!
I'm checking to see if Andy (NeCrO632) can do it also if he's not out of town that weekend.
I guess I better get those Hammer Endurolyte pills that bigbossman recommnded to prevent cramps.
Gary
mtnwalker
08-28-07, 11:21 AM
The one thing I'm nervous about doing a century is that I've been getting cramps at around the 40 mile mark so I'm hesitant to do it in fear of bonking and slowing down the group. (it's also my worry for the MS ride!)
Although the 50 mile ride from Half Moon Bay down to Santa Cruz might be okay if I can get a ride back!
I'm checking to see if Andy (NeCrO632) can do it also if he's not out of town that weekend.
I guess I better get those Hammer Endurolyte pills that bigbossman recommnded to prevent cramps.
Gary
From what I understand cramps are caused by lack of electrolytes and dehydration. What do you bring with you on your long rides? I usually have two bottles with me. One with water and one with accelerade. I then bring a pouch of accelerade powder with me to mix if I need to. I usually take a swig from from each bottle, alternating them.
Gee3
08-28-07, 12:44 PM
From what I understand cramps are caused by lack of electrolytes and dehydration. What do you bring with you on your long rides? I usually have two bottles with me. One with water and one with accelerade. I then bring a pouch of accelerade powder with me to mix if I need to. I usually take a swig from from each bottle, alternating them.
I do about the same thing. I have two bottles, one water, one Powerade powder since Accelerade upsets my stomach. (I'd also get cramps with Accelerade) I also carry gels and bars and an extra baggy or two of the powder. I even tried the electrolyte drops in the water and still got cramps, although it was close to 116 degrees in TX at that time...
Someone said that their daughter has a fast metabolism so he needed to feed her every 30 mins or else she'd cramp up. So I'm thinking or hoping I can do the same. I'll have to try on my next ride. Maybe I'll drop a gel every 30-35 mins next time.
jonathanb715
08-28-07, 12:59 PM
I do about the same thing. I have two bottles, one water, one Powerade powder since Accelerade upsets my stomach. (I'd also get cramps with Accelerade) I also carry gels and bars and an extra baggy or two of the powder. I even tried the electrolyte drops in the water and still got cramps, although it was close to 116 degrees in TX at that time...
Someone said that their daughter has a fast metabolism so he needed to feed her every 30 mins or else she'd cramp up. So I'm thinking or hoping I can do the same. I'll have to try on my next ride. Maybe I'll drop a gel every 30-35 mins next time.
I think one of the tricks to riding long distances is to eat and drink often - like every 10 minutes. Your body can only absorb so much (usually stated as something like 250 calories per hour) but that doesn't mean you should eat that much once an hour - a smaller amount more frequently works really well for me. I try to keep stuff I can munch on while riding in my back pocket (carrots, apple slices, bars, sandwiches). I also like Hammer products (Perpetuem works best for me on really long rides), and carry lots of extra in ziploc bags in my pockets. I find the real commercial sports drinks (Gatorade and Powerade, owned by Pepsi and Coke, respectively) don't work real well for me - a nutritionist friend tells me the fructose used to sweeten them (it is also the primary source of carbs in those drinks) may have a lot to do with it. She said your stomach has trouble absorbing the fructose when your body is working hard.
I used to also use Accelerade, but it gave me gas. Cytomax works ok for me, for the most part (despite also containing some fructose). The other Hammer products (HEED, Sustained Energy) seem really good. Read the labels - they don't all provide the same electrolytes or nutrients.
One other thing - sometimes changes in your pedalling motion can relieve cramps in your legs, especially in your calves. Focus on keeping your heel as low as possible while pedalling around.
JB
Gee3
08-28-07, 01:08 PM
Oops, I meant Powerbar, not powerade... hehe! But maybe i'll look into Cytomax and Heed when i run out next time. I'll be sure to check out the labels more closely.
Yeah, maybe I'll have to start eating a little a lot more often. I'll just cut up Clif bars into little squares and pop some more often instead of eating one whole bar at one time. Plus too many bars and stuff makes me feel too full and makes it hard to ride.
And yes, I recently learned that I was able to stave off the cramps by pedaling, I guess, more correctly. And keeping the heel down was exactly what I was doing once the cramps hit. It realy worked! Now I just need to teach myself to do that all the time instead of after I cramp! lol!
Thanks for the help!
Gary
jinws
08-28-07, 01:38 PM
Sounds fun, I'm in.
qpliu
08-28-07, 09:48 PM
The 23rd is good. I'll be there.
Start at 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&z=16&iwloc=addr&om=1)?
damnpoor
08-28-07, 09:59 PM
OMFG, I am so there. You just answered my growing need to ride the coast. It's like a child growing inside of me, and I will give birth to it on the 23rd with you all as witness.
sweetnsourbkr
08-28-07, 10:31 PM
Wait wait ... you DO know that riding north constitutes a headwind, right? I'm a little confused by the routing ...
jobob
08-28-07, 10:36 PM
The headwind should be much lighter in the morning.
hopefully
cantdrv55
08-28-07, 10:37 PM
OMFG, I am so there. You just answered my growing need to ride the coast. It's like a child growing inside of me, and I will give birth to it on the 23rd with you all as witness.
LOL
mtnwalker
08-28-07, 10:48 PM
That looks like a lot of fun. I can't see the pics at work and didn't see it 'till now. Barring family occasions I will be there.
SesameCrunch
08-28-07, 11:46 PM
The 23rd is good. I'll be there.
Start at 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&z=16&iwloc=addr&om=1)?
That's what I was thinking! Parking costs $6 at the beach, correct? Is there plenty of street parking as well?
BlastRadius
08-28-07, 11:50 PM
Dang. That's the weekend of a good friend's wedding. I'm not likely to be able to ride a century following Saturday's wedding.
SesameCrunch
08-28-07, 11:59 PM
Dang. That's the weekend of a good friend's wedding. I'm not likely to be able to ride a century following Saturday's wedding.
Allright, so we'll make it a 7:30 am departure, instead of 6:30 :D
How about if someone pulls you with a bungee cord?:D:D
SesameCrunch
08-29-07, 12:02 AM
The headwind should be much lighter in the morning.
hopefully
I saw that! Let's think positively here...:)
Actually, late September is good timing from a weather standpoint. Winds aren't as strong as in the middle of Summer. Hopefully (oops, there's that word again), the rains haven't started yet.
jobob
08-29-07, 12:55 AM
That's what I was thinking! Parking costs $6 at the beach, correct? Is there plenty of street parking as well?
Actually, late September is good timing from a weather standpoint. Winds aren't as strong as in the middle of Summer. Hopefully (oops, there's that word again), the rains haven't started yet.
I did a ride very similar to this one early last April, starting from Santa Cruz up to Moss Beach & back. There was a storm moving in and the wind pattern was all messed up, there was a tailwind going north.
x136
08-29-07, 01:18 AM
I'd love to do this. I don't think I'm ready for a full century, but the half ride sounds perfect. I can't make any promises at this point, but I am intrigued by the possibility. :)
jimples
08-29-07, 11:12 AM
Just to point out, the Tour for Woodside is on the 23rd of September. Otherwise, I'd love to do it.
Gee3
08-29-07, 02:06 PM
Being that I'm not from that area and not that strong of a rider... how long do you think it'll take to do the ride and will there be places to fill up the water bottles and grab some food on the route?
Gary
NeCrO632
08-29-07, 02:39 PM
DAMN it..sounds like a good ride for my 1st century..but alas i will be in vegas that weekend.. :(
Gee3
08-29-07, 03:18 PM
DAMN it..sounds like a good ride for my 1st century..but alas i will be in vegas that weekend.. :(
Ya scum bag!! We'll see who suffers more on the MS ride while you "play" in Vegas!!! :mad: hehe!
damnpoor
08-29-07, 03:45 PM
Being that I'm not from that area and not that strong of a rider... how long do you think it'll take to do the ride and will there be places to fill up the water bottles and grab some food on the route?
Gary
For water there are many, many state beaches along the route, all with water fountains. For food, Half Moon Bay is a real town with plenty to choose from.
I think we should stop at the Half Moon Bay Brewing Company for lunch - http://www.hmbbrewingco.com
jobob
08-29-07, 04:09 PM
I think we should stop at the Half Moon Bay Brewing Company for lunch - http://www.hmbbrewingco.com
Oooh, risky for me. The siren song of Mavericks Amber Ale would be difficult to resist. :beer:
sj_roadie
08-29-07, 05:38 PM
I don't think I have plans for the 23rd yet, definitely interested.
SesameCrunch
08-29-07, 06:22 PM
Being that I'm not from that area and not that strong of a rider... how long do you think it'll take to do the ride and will there be places to fill up the water bottles and grab some food on the route?
Gary
If you're just doing the 50 miler, I'd estimate 3 hours or 16.7 mph for this mostly level, downwind all the way ride. Not counting break time, of course.
As for rest stops, there are plenty of places. Davenport, Gazos Creek, Pescadero, San Gregorio, not to mention all the state parks and beaches. I guess that you won't go more than 10 miles without either potties or stores.
I don't think I have plans for the 23rd yet, definitely interested.
Great! Bring your guads...
Gee3
08-29-07, 10:56 PM
If you're just doing the 50 miler, I'd estimate 3 hours or 16.7 mph for this mostly level, downwind all the way ride. Not counting break time, of course.
Is anyone doing the 50 mile ride? If I do the 50 miler instead can I hitch a ride with someone back to Half Moon Bay? I'll throw in some $$ for gas!
Where in Half Moon Bay would we meet with the group and at what estimated time?
Thanks!
Gary
damnpoor
09-04-07, 09:09 PM
I'd be willing to sport you a ride, except I think my car only has enough room for just my bike. If we guestimated what time we'd get there you could wait at a coffee shop or something and we could call when we get into town.
Oh and also bump for anyone else who might want to read this and sign up.
Made_In_Warsaw
09-05-07, 02:08 AM
I'll be there.
SesameCrunch
09-05-07, 07:16 AM
I'll be there.
Great! We'll be able to get a pretty good paceline down Hwy1...
Dmitry S.
09-05-07, 09:12 AM
Had a lot of fun on the Labor Day ride, count me in as well.
Gee3
09-05-07, 09:59 AM
I'd be willing to sport you a ride, except I think my car only has enough room for just my bike. If we guestimated what time we'd get there you could wait at a coffee shop or something and we could call when we get into town.
Oh and also bump for anyone else who might want to read this and sign up.
Thanks damnpoor. Let's see if anyone else can step up since I don't have a bike rack for a car.
Anyone else able to drive me back if I meet you guys in Half Moon Bay?
Thanks!
Gary :)
SesameCrunch
09-05-07, 10:02 AM
Thanks damnpoor. Let's see if anyone else can step up since I don't have a bike rack for a car.
Anyone else able to drive me back if I meet you guys in Half Moon Bay?
Thanks!
Gary :)
I can certainly give you a ride back. No worries.
As for your previous question of where/when to meet. Let's see who else expresses interest for the half century. Then we can establish the group and a time and place to meet.
Gee3
09-05-07, 10:07 AM
I can certainly give you a ride back. No worries.
As for your previous question of where/when to meet. Let's see who else expresses and interest for the half century. Then we can establish the group and a time and place to meet.
Wow Sesame, you're fast! I just posted that! hehe! Thanks!
Anyone else up to meet at the half way point with me? Jon? NeCrO? Siu? Bueller? Bueller?
steelblue
09-05-07, 10:42 AM
Wow Sesame, you're fast! I just posted that! hehe! Thanks!
Anyone else up to meet at the half way point with me? Jon? NeCrO? Siu? Bueller? Bueller?
I am. Count me in.
damnpoor
09-05-07, 07:17 PM
As far as my count goes, that's 13 for the full course plus 3 for the second leg so far.