Southern California - Funny Thing Happened at the Ojai Century

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boniek1982
05-31-09, 09:31 AM
While I was riding from the bathroom to the registration area, probably about 5mph, a squirrel came out of nowhere and dashed just in front of my bike. In fact it looked as if the squirrel passed through my bike! I stopped and looked back at my friends and YES, they confirmed, the squirrel crossed between the spokes of my front wheel as it was turning. Isnt that just crazy? Should I feel just as lucky as the squirrel? I guess at a faster speed I would have just diced the poor guy in half...

Apart from mad squirrels this was an awesome event! A little slick on the first 20, we saw at least one guy go down at the bottom of a decent on a hairpin turn. He seemed OK, but clearly freaked out.

DesnaePhoto
05-31-09, 10:50 AM
What time did you start? Things were dry for me until just before my 2nd food stop (the first time @ the high school). Of course, I did the double metric. And was the first to the top of Rose Canyon. What a climb!

Between being cold most of the ride, and having been off the bike for 2 weeks, this was probably the physically toughest ride I've had so far. Lesson learned: ALWAYS take arm and leg covers! Can always leave behind. 8 1/2 hours of saddle time.

INCREDIBLE support. Among the best route markings I've seen this year!
rallison
06-04-09, 04:07 AM
Definitely a tough ride. Did the double metric century as well. Great route markings (aside from having to pay attention getting into Montecito) too! 8 hours riding time, and definitely tired by the end of it. Full writeup and pictures here: http://www.toughascent.com/blog/?p=16. Will definitely sign up for it again!

David13
06-04-09, 06:09 PM
You would have sliced the squirrel in half, OR he would have jammed your wheel and face planted you.
There was an opera singer in Helsinki a few years ago, who had a tangle with a squirrel in his front wheel. He did recover, but was severely injured.
Deer have killed motorcyclists. I think it's a vengeance thing with the animals, because of hunters.
If those squirrels try to run through your spokes, don't let them. Avoid them.
dc
deitman
06-04-09, 10:25 PM
Besides avoiding the squirrels, rabbits, some rough pavement determined to chuck water bottles out of the seat-post holders, the popsicle at the top of the last climb was the best. I thought there might have been too much food...I wanted to avoid a meat coma after the lunch stop so I stuck to cookies, bananas, watermelon, and gatorade.


Double Metric (1st century overall) in 7:20...