Southern California - Solvang 2008

Any tips for riding Solvang? It will be my first time.

Have fun.

[edit] Sorry, I couldn't help myself...really though, be ready for ANY weather conditions.

The Solvang Century is very nice, eyemage. What Ralph is referring to, however, is that it has been cursed with very bad rain in the past. I was there the year it was hit with an unbelievable storm (2006), which brought torrential rain, lightning and hail down for the first 30 miles of the ride, making it challenging for sure. But that doesn't mean you will have that kind of weather this year, and in fact, it is is sunny up there, the hills are lovely. I rarely ride this ride anymore as I've done it enough times that I almost know the route by heart, but I do think any ride in Solvang is lovely. IMO, skip the $11 bbq dinner at the end and go elsewhere for a burger.

As for tips, I'm not sure if you mean for Solvang in particular or if you mean this is your first century. If the latter, there are many threads already with ample advice on riding centuries. If you do a search of the forums, you will find those threads and will likely find the info contained very helpful. :)

Which Solvang ride? How many miles? Are you from the area?

Have fun and good luck. It is a nice place to ride.

Bring someone along to ride with to block the wind. Last year the weather was fine except for some brutal winds between the first and second or third sag stop.

The sag stops are well stocked with food (I rolled through earlier so I don't know how it was later in the day) but you'll probably want to bring whatever drink mix you usually use. I don't remember the brand of drink they had last year, but it wasn't one that I recognized.

It's a fairly hilly ride for a friendly century w/ just under 6000 feet of climbing. There are a lot of rollers in the early mid-part and and loong gradual climb around mile 80 or so followed by a couple of shorter steeper hills. Train for hills to arrive late.

It's one of the few VERY populated rides along with Palm Springs with upwards of 5,000 riders. Some people don't like that, I love it. There's always a neat bike passing me and there's always a wheel to catch. That also means the town is booked solid, so if you haven't found a room yet, good luck with that.

I will not be going to Solvang this year, but I do have a reservation at the Holiday Inn Express in Solvang for Friday and Saturday night which I have not cancelled as of yet. Not real cheap, I think around $160 a night, but if anyone needs a room (it is about a mile from the start), let me know.

The Solvang Century (SCOR) is a lovely ride, very well organized and supported, so you don't really need any tips to ride it. KHS has mechanics and spare parts at all the checkpoints, plus there are SAG vehicles on the road, so no worries really.

Pretty much your average century with 6,000 feet of climbing through a beautiful area of CA.

The "drink mix" they usually have is SPIZ which is one of those "complete nutrition" drinks, as compard to an "energy drink" like Cyto-Max or Gatorade. I like it, esp. the chocolate, but some people don't. It's soy based.

Any specific questions?

Rick / OCRR

SCOR provides excellent support for this ride. Last year I neglected to change out my rear tire and wore completely through it around mile 50. I managed to make it another 12 miles to the next checkpoint on a sketchy patch job where there was a bike repair guy with a new tire I was able to purchase. That pretty much saved the ride for me.

For what its worth, I'd bring your own energy drink mix. Last year every checkpoint seemed to be running out or have non at all. SPIZ is okay though but you think they would have picked a better name. Sounds too much like "spit" to me.

a couple guys i know rode this past one fixed, i might try it this year.

I'll be doing it this year unless the forecast turns south. (I used to use my Brooks saddle as an excuse, but now I just don't care if people think I'm a wuss.)
It's been nearly 20 years since I've done it and I'm really looking forward to it!
I'll be the blond guy on the Felt F55, (not the motorcycle and no dog along):
http://www.calamarichris.com/junk/051106-chrangpmar.jpg
-CCinC

Any tips for riding Solvang? It will be my first time.

Grab this wheel and hang on:
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w76/cgallagh/Tandemfrompaper2.jpg

I love drafting tandems!