Southern California - Solvang Prelude

So I'm a fairly new rider, only been riding for about 7 months. So I was thinking the Metric Century Solvang Prelude November 1st would be a nice ride to start with. Haven't rode in Solvang before but I've heard it's lovely up there. So I was curious anyone have any opinions on the ride? I'm confident that I'd be able to complete the ride. So does anyone know the route or have any data from the ride? Also any thoughts or recommendations on the ride?

Thanks!

I'd be curious to know the what type of elevation is on it...

I'd be curious to know the what type of elevation is on it...
Their website says 3000ft of climbing. But that really doesn't give you an idea of how intense the climbing is.

http://www.bikescor.com/prelude/info.htm

The Bicycle Ride Directors' Association of America (BRDAA) has developed the ride difficulty rating scale described in the chart shown here.
The 25 mile route is rated easy and has 900 feet of total elevation gain.
The 50 mile route is rated moderate and has 2000 feet of total elevation gain.
The Metric Century is rated difficult and has 3000 feet of total elevation gain.
All hills on the 50 and Metric Route are under 800 feet.

http://www.bikescor.com/prelude/info.htm

The Bicycle Ride Directors' Association of America (BRDAA) has developed the ride difficulty rating scale described in the chart shown here.
The 25 mile route is rated easy and has 900 feet of total elevation gain.
The 50 mile route is rated moderate and has 2000 feet of total elevation gain.
The Metric Century is rated difficult and has 3000 feet of total elevation gain.
All hills on the 50 and Metric Route are under 800 feet.
Ya, I've read that. But difficult to some people may be not so difficult to others, so that really doesn't say much about the ride. For all I know 3000 feet of climbing can be 10 miles or 30 miles of riding.

Ya, I've read that. But difficult to some people may be not so difficult to others, so that really doesn't say much about the ride. For all I know 3000 feet of climbing can be 10 miles or 30 miles of riding.

Actually, no. A metric century is 100km (62 miles) and 3000 feet of climbing should tell you exactly how hard (or easy) the ride will be. Elevation gain is the best indicator of how hard the ride will be since, as you said, one person's difficult is another person's Sunday morning ride.

For what its worth, Solvang is not a flat and there's a reason why the pros like to train there. For me, it riding the prelude or century gets the heart rate up, but its nothing that requires lots of training.

Actually, no. A metric century is 100km (62 miles) and 3000 feet of climbing should tell you exactly how hard (or easy) the ride will be. Elevation gain is the best indicator of how hard the ride will be since, as you said, one person's difficult is another person's Sunday morning ride.

For what its worth, Solvang is not a flat and there's a reason why the pros like to train there. For me, it riding the prelude or century gets the heart rate up, but its nothing that requires lots of training.
I know what a metric century is, I was talking about the actual climbing throughout the route. For all I know it could be very short and a higher grade, or long low grade climbing.

3000 feet really doesn't say much about how the route is laid out though. 3000 feet can be 6-500 feet climbs. Or it could be something like 1-3000 foot climb in the middle of the ride.

Sure it gives you a rough idea of what the ride would be like. But the intensity can vary depending on those climbs.

Basically data or a route slip is what I'm looking for. :thumb:

*edit*

I sent an e-mail asking if they had any information on the route and they were kind enough to be willing to mail me a route slip. So for others interested as soon as I receive it, I'll post the route.

I sent an e-mail asking if they had any information on the route and they were kind enough to be willing to mail me a route slip. So for others interested as soon as I receive it, I'll post the route.

That wouls be awesome, thanks!

Ya, I've read that. But difficult to some people may be not so difficult to others, so that really doesn't say much about the ride. For all I know 3000 feet of climbing can be 10 miles or 30 miles of CLIMBING.

Gotcha--fixed it for you.

Not sure if they've changed the route, but Solvang is generally rolling terrain. There aren't any monster climbs and the steep roads are relatively short--i.e. 1/4 mile tops. The longer climbs were probably a 4-5% grade...if that.

I was fat, out of shape and hadn't been on the bike in months when I did it and I was fine....tired, but fine. You should be ok!

I remember doing it 16 years ago, and it was a lot of rollers but no major climbs. I was 12 and had been riding for about a half year and it wasn't too hard with a little pacing. Then again, I had endless energy at 12.

I did it last year....beautiful route...up ballard cyn was the only "hard" climb....and it wasnt that bad
A bit cool in the AM, but warmed up nicely...
CHP holding traffic as we crossed Hywy 154...awesome...
great rest stops...homemade cookies...yum...

just checked my info from the 06 ride......2900 feet of climbing in 62.5 miles...its an ok ride, for what they charge personally i think it comes up waaaaay short. my advice if you do it is to save the climb that they put at the head of the ride for the end...less people going up and going down at the same time, makes life easier....

just checked my info from the 06 ride......2900 feet of climbing in 62.5 miles...its an ok ride, for what they charge personally i think it comes up waaaaay short. my advice if you do it is to save the climb that they put at the head of the ride for the end...less people going up and going down at the same time, makes life easier....
How so? Does the ride go in both directions?

I've also signed up so I'll be there, still waiting on the route slip but I'll put up the route when I get it. Probably also going to go to UCSB for Halloween the day before:thumb:.

if you go right by the route slip you immediatley head south of solvang and up into the hills...i like doing that part last as its right by the start. only catch is that you may decide to not do it as yer gonna be right by yer car....

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e355/scootcore/SolvangpreludeGE.jpg

OC Wheelman put on a great Fall Metric. It's only $31 ($25 if you're a member).

http://www.ocw.org/fallmetric/Default.asp

:thumb:

^^^^ you wouldn't happen to know where to find a map of the route would you? Looks very interesting (and local)...wanted to see which hills they took before registering :)

^^^^ you wouldn't happen to know where to find a map of the route would you? Looks very interesting (and local)...wanted to see which hills they took before registering :)

I just found this on motionbased.

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/1567289

Definitely looks promising....but I'm TERRIBLE at hills lol. I killed myself going up the santa paula grade and up casitas last weekend on the MS150. I proved to myself that I really need to work on my climbing that's for sure! Still might convince myself to head out and take a look at the trail before I sign myself up :)

Definitely looks promising....but I'm TERRIBLE at hills lol. I killed myself going up the santa paula grade and up casitas last weekend on the MS150. I proved to myself that I really need to work on my climbing that's for sure! Still might convince myself to head out and take a look at the trail before I sign myself up :)

I did this ride in 2006 and it's a good route. The climb up Oak Glen was tough for me then, but I had only been riding for a couple of months at the time and had just returned to the bike after 6 weeks off. I think it's definitely do-able for most people. It was hotter than a mother that day, and I survived. Just barely. :p

DEW IT! It's a wonderful ride! Take the climbs easy if you are not a climber. It's really fun and a great way to enjoy the Fall weather.

Lol you guys are twisting my arm here...I'ma have to see what the rest of my "team" is doing that day...I love having my dad with me because he can push me up to the top of most hills, wether it be mentally or physically!

Its a pleasant ride, the hills are short.

I'll be there on a red kestrel evoke.

Well I'll be there...

Just a quick late question, is shorts, a jersey, and arm warmers enough? Or am I going to be freezing my ass off?

Weather.com says

66°
49°

And showers :(

I will be there too. Sounds cold but a bit after you start to pedal, you will be quite warm.

I've done it twice. It's one of the prettiest rides you'll ever do.