View Full Version : 1st Century Suggestion
bolshoi2008
03-25-08, 01:36 PM
I'm planning to do my 1st century and I'm interested at the Crusin the Cornejo Century. I read that this is ~103 miles with a full 6000ft of climbing. Is this something that is very difficult for a 1st timer like me? I always ride solo and started training a couple of week ago and been doing 2-3 rides (Tue-20 miles, Thurs-35 miles and will start doin longer rides on weekends) a week. I manage to do a 70 mile ride last Sat. and felt strong. I never participated any organized ride before and looking forward for my 1st. Thanks.
There are easier first time centuries out there (Amtrak Century) but the Crusin the Cornejo as you call it is a nice ride, plus you can do a shorter route if you change you mind at the last minute...it's still the same price.
I'm planning to do my 1st century and I'm interested at the Crusin the Cornejo Century. I read that this is ~103 miles with a full 6000ft of climbing. Is this something that is very difficult for a 1st timer like me? I always ride solo and started training a couple of week ago and been doing 2-3 rides (Tue-20 miles, Thurs-35 miles and will start doin longer rides on weekends) a week. I manage to do a 70 mile ride last Sat. and felt strong. I never participated any organized ride before and looking forward for my 1st. Thanks.
This was my first Century several years ago. My previous long ride was an easy metric and my average training ride under 50 miles. On the other hand, I live in the area and had the advantage of being able to train on all of the route in the SM's prior to the event. That's a mental thing also because I knew what I was getting into!
Can you do it? Sure. Start working on your fueling strategies, which are very important with this much climbing. (4500' in the first 50 miles). It's doable given your rides so far. Will it be easy? Probably not but there is no hurry and there are tons of riders to help push you to the finish so I don't see any reason you can't make it.
Likely there will be a good sized BF group so join us! Here is my BF report from the first time:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=105441&highlight=first+century]
sheldon
There are easier first time centuries out there (Amtrak Century) but the Crusin the Cornejo as you call it is a nice ride, plus you can do a shorter route if you change you mind at the last minute...it's still the same price.
Good point, Ralph. You can do the first 50 miles of the Century and still bail if you want to. You would only have about a 15 minute ride to the finish at that point. There are lots of ways of cutting, bailing, changing, adopting, etc.!
sheldon
Scootcore
03-25-08, 03:41 PM
big fan of cool breeze or lighthouse for a first century
merider1
03-25-08, 03:46 PM
big fan of cool breeze or lighthouse for a first century
+1 on Cool Breeze - of course, that was my first century, so I'm partial to it.
AquaTerror
03-25-08, 04:13 PM
I'm planning to do my 1st century and I'm interested at the Crusin the Cornejo Century. I read that this is ~103 miles with a full 6000ft of climbing. Is this something that is very difficult for a 1st timer like me? I always ride solo and started training a couple of week ago and been doing 2-3 rides (Tue-20 miles, Thurs-35 miles and will start doin longer rides on weekends) a week. I manage to do a 70 mile ride last Sat. and felt strong. I never participated any organized ride before and looking forward for my 1st. Thanks.
I think it depends on whether or not you're a strong climber. I'm not a strong climber and I would have had a very difficult time on the Conejo century. My 1st century was the Amtrak century (3,000' of gain) and I loved it. My husband rode the Amtrak century for his 1st century and had a great time. There's also the Cool Breeze, but that's more climbing, around 4500' The website says 3500', but my computer, as well as everyone I've checked with, agrees with the 4500' number. If you decide to sign up for the Amtrak century, it sells out in 2 hours ... I'm not exaggerating, it's very popular and they close it off at 1,000 riders. So plan to be on line the moment registration opens to make sure you get in.
Whichever one you decide on, there are lots of resources to help you get there. Good luck!
thomson
03-25-08, 04:49 PM
Cool Breeze does have the best best best best volunteers. Pretty hard to beat that.
footnote - all the rides have great volunteers, when I say 'best best best' I am kind of exaggerating
merider1
03-25-08, 05:01 PM
Cool Breeze does have the best best best best volunteers. Pretty hard to beat that.
footnote - all the rides have great volunteers, when I say 'best best best' I am kind of exaggerating
What you mean to say is that you know for certain that one of their volunteers is the very bestest. :D
Another vote for Cool Breeze. My wife doesn't do nearly the miles I do, her long was a 52 mile training ride two weeks before, and she finished feeling pretty good.
Jim
MTBMaven
03-25-08, 06:40 PM
Cool Breeze would be good. Hemet Century is really easy. Tour de Palm Springs would be a great first but you missed that one. TdP was my first. I have done Amtrak but have ridden to SD from LB and Pas several times and that would be a good one too.
rooftest
03-25-08, 10:39 PM
It's not so much the distance as it is the climbing - make sure you're in shape for the climbing, and you'll do fine.
Mr. Beanz
03-25-08, 11:36 PM
Cool Breeze does have the best best best best volunteers. Pretty hard to beat that.
I don't know about that! One year I was climbing up a hill when one of the support drivers drove by and called me a "big sissy". So what if I am!:D
big john
03-26-08, 07:54 AM
Cool Breeze or Lighthouse are easier, but the Conejo has the great baked goods at each stop. The climbing isn't that tough, if you have done some climbing. Did I mention the baked goods? Unreal!
mateo44
03-26-08, 08:31 AM
+1 on Cool Breeze - of course, that was my first century, so I'm partial to it.
+1. It was my first, too. Great ride.
thomson
03-26-08, 08:49 AM
I don't know about that! One year I was climbing up a hill when one of the support drivers drove by and called me a "big sissy". So what if I am!:D
That sag driver was totally out of line and I will deal with him swiftly. And, for the record I, oops I mean he, said "I have seen girls climb this better than you".
bolshoi2008
03-26-08, 11:05 AM
Thanks all for the inputs. I like the challenge of climbing eventhough I'm not really strong at it. I will try the Conejo and follow it up with Cool breeze (getting a lot of plus points - maybe it will become my 1st completed one if I bailed out :)). Great forum and members here!!
Thanks all for the inputs. I like the challenge of climbing eventhough I'm not really strong at it. I will try the Conejo and follow it up with Cool breeze (getting a lot of plus points - maybe it will become my 1st completed one if I bailed out :)). Great forum and members here!!
One Saturday come out to our area and ride with one of the local shops/clubs. We often hit many of these hills. Or just park in Agoura and ride the hilly parts of the course. Here is the climbing section:
Mulholland from roughly Sierra Creek north (well, sorta west), past Rock Store and up. 2-1/2 miles, 7%+ grade to the top. Cross Kanan and continue upwards. Bear left at Encinal and go down. Then some ups and downs to Lechusa. Right on Lechusa about 1 block to Decker. Hang a right and climb back up. Some short but steep sections in there. Eventually you get back to Westlake Blvd/Decker. Very fast descent.
That's the bulk of the climbing. There is more, of course, but get comfy with this part and you'll be in good shape. You can cover this entire section in a but over an hour.
Sheldon
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