Northern California - Delta Century Ride Report

Let me just start off by saying that this is the flattest century I have ever ridden. The only hills were the little ramps up onto the levies or down to the rest stops. This was also the only century I have ever ridden that had a ferry crossing as part of the course which was pretty cool.
I wasn’t expecting this century to be very scenic. I thought it would be miles and miles of open farmlands. I was very wrong and the century was eye candy throughout. Almost the whole 100 mile course was along virtually traffic free scenic levies. There were long periods where you didn’t see a single car or bike. The rest stops were lightly populated too and well stocked with good food. The temperatures were just about perfect all day and generally the course was very well marked out.
On to the bad stuff…….
Living in this part of the world you know there will be wind and usually that wind will get stronger as the day goes on. Sundays ride was no exception. What did confuse me was that we seemed to have 75 miles of head/cross wind and only 25 miles of tail wind. The wind was never particularly strong but it was pretty tiring especially if you didn’t ride in a group all day. Thankfully the last 10 miles had a tail wind. The other thing that wasn’t so good was that many of the roads were pretty bumpy or rough textured. I think the rough roads coupled with being sat down all day (flat century) gave me my first saddle sore in about 20 years. I was pretty uncomfortable towards the end and one of the levy sections on the way back was just plain horrible.
Overall this was a great century and my wife and I enjoyed it. Most of the people we encountered out on the course did not seem to be enjoying the wind but everyone was happy at the rest stops.

Let me just start off by saying that this is the flattest century I have ever ridden.

Yes. This is my backyard. I call the wind my "invisible hillclimb" It's part of the challenge. I see which way the flags are blowing and start my rides into the wind in hopes it's a tail on the way back, but that's not always the case on the Delta. Curious what ferry you crossed? Was it over to Ryer Island? That island is wonderful for biking... Pretty much NO CARS!!!! WOO HOO!
Sounds like fun.

Living in Antioch and commuting by bike i know the wind too well.
When you climb you feel like you've done something. You can look down and be proud. In teh wind you get.... tired. It never lets up. It's demoralizing.

Still, I'd like to do tis ride, but start in the dark, or near dark and miss as much wind as possible.

I rode this one as well. Winds and chipseal! But the 2nd rest stop had the yummiest fruit... Yeah, the ferry crossing was a hoot. :) Starting and ending was right through the vineyard on 'Cottontail Lane' lol.

I did the metric, and constant crosswinds and headwinds. ??? Yes, that bit of tailwind at the end, thank goodness. I'm not sure this is a repeat ride for me, but I enjoyed it.

I've done this ride two years in a row, but last year was probably for the last time. The wind was a howling headwind for more than half the ride, and the road buzz was pretty irritating.

Flat... no cars... wind... sounds like a century made for a good paceline (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5CfRsmtQ44).

Flat... no cars... wind... sounds like a century made for a good paceline (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5CfRsmtQ44).

That looks like ballet! Darn those guys are good. I'd love to get to practice that (with some fellow very-slow riders)

I can only imagine the concentration and trust that kind of riding takes.

That looks like ballet! Darn those guys are good. I'd love to get to practice that (with some fellow very-slow riders)

I can only imagine the concentration and trust that kind of riding takes.

Well I trust you won't kill me. I'm pretty new to it too, and it only takes one time to get hooked Curtis. It's not as scary as you'd think. There's no bigger rush (although I've never tried heroin) when you just hear multiple drivetrains whirring in synchronicity. I suggest learning with cool people who won't yell at you if you accidentally make them drop, lead too fast, etc. Your BF brethren would be kind to you (wouldn't we?). ;)

We BF'ers should assemble toward the end of the Davis Double and do some pacelining... Guinda to Davis (mile 160ish to home when we're all dog-dead tired, it's flat as a pancake and nothing but empty county roads...). It will make the last miles go by extremely quick.

Something to think about.

Now back to the Delta Century coverage... :rolleyes:

We BF'ers should assemble toward the end of the Davis Double and do some pacelining... Guinda to Davis (mile 160ish to home when we're all dog-dead tired, it's flat as a pancake and nothing but empty county roads...). It will make the last miles go by extremely quick.


Especially if those BF'ers happen to be riding Tandems :)

Yes. This is my backyard. I call the wind my "invisible hillclimb" It's part of the challenge. ...

Yep,

it's in my frontyard. We call the wind our "flat hills". Doing the WAR rides, one really gets to learn the art of the pelaton/echelon riding.

Funny...I never thought of those roads being bad. Now if you want bad roads, I can show you some really bad roads (like last years Sierra Century??)

Glad those who did the ride had fun.

BR

This was a 600 mile round trip for us and was absolutely worth the long drive. The Stockton Club did an outstanding job with every part of the ride. Check in...the rest stops...the after ride meal and all the friendly faces were just outstanding
We did the Metric on our Tandem and really enjoyed the vineyards, the quiet levee top roads and the wonderfully flat course. Most of all we thought the short ferry boat ride around mile 42 was very cool and most unique. There was some wind but not near enough to keep us from looking forward to coming back next year.
Great ride!


Bill J.