Northern California - Sequoia Century 2009

Anyone riding this? I'll be there, weather permitting (I'm such a fair-weathered cyclist, I embarrass myself), trying for the 200k route.

I am in for the 124 mile route.

I'm volunteering at the finish area. Good luck to all the participants.

Weather forecast for Sunday is partly sunny, light winds, mild temperatures. Perfect cycling weather. Have fun.

I'll be there doing the 200k route.

Anyone riding this? I'll be there, weather permitting (I'm such a fair-weathered cyclist, I embarrass myself), trying for the 200k route.

I can already see you backing out of the Death Ride due to inclement weather. :P

I can already see you backing out of the Death Ride due to inclement weather. :P

That will be a new low for me...driving all the way there and then backing out because it looked to be possibly rainy that day. I hope I didn't just jinxed myself.

Just the 100K for me. Possible rain? Hmmmm..... I had enough of rain riding at the WCC.

Just signed up for the 200k. Is it suppose to rain tomorrow?

Just signed up for the 200k. Is it suppose to rain tomorrow?

Weather is beautiful today. Supposed to be even nicer tomorrow.

Just picked up my bib from bicycle outfitters. Looking forward to this.

Instead of writing a report with lead-in, body, and conclusion, I'll go list-style: it's simple, fast, and perfect for sleep-deprived folks:

1. The sun didn't come out until 11:30 am, so I rode in the wet fog for a good 5 hours. Not cool.

2. I think I was on the verge of OD'ing on Nunn: I suffered through gas pains for the last 40 miles. I complained so much internally about the gas pains, I was sick of my whiny self.

3. I kept running into Ramon and Donald. I wish I can say that I was chasing them; instead, they just happened to be at the rest stops whenever I pulled in feeling all beat-up while they were just chilling, yakking it up.

4. Tunitas at approx. mile 100 and 8,000 ft climb into the ride was not fun.

5. Not that I do that many centuries (averaging 2 or 3 per year), but Western Wheelers really put out good food and support. The lunch stop had wraps that were carefully made, fruit/yogurt/cereal salad, hot chocolate, etc.

6. I know I'm a bit on the shallow side, but descending into West Alpine, deep in the bowels of the redwoods, there were three riders ahead of me all wearing neon green wind breakers just gliding along the twisting road. My ipod was playing some classical music (shuffle mode) and the first thing that I thought of was: they look just like big giant neon green butterflies!

7. There was some stupid filler mileage off Highway 1 south in the route that turned out to be windy with boring scenery. It was so windy I was a promiscuous with my choice of draftees.

8. Total time for me was approx. 10:50, actual riding time 8:50. I honestly don't know how I took that long to tour the rest stops and lunch stop. I think the end count was 124 miles and 10,800 ft climbed. Since I rode from home to the start, I need to add an additional 200 miles and 1 gazillion ft climb. :lol:

9. Hey, that's the longest I've ever ridden in my life. I was getting kinda bored, however, by hour 9. No patience for this grasshopper.

10. Oh, I spent the first 2 hours cursing at my bike's obesity: I brought a camera, plus my new smart phone, and the whole bike just felt like a whale. I was so annoyed that I didn't feel like taking any pictures at all.

11. I deployed one packet of Chamois Butter after reading that in Ramon's other postings. It helped tremendously. That is, after I squirted half of the content inadvertently (in the direction of lady cyclist happening to walk past).

12. Thoughts now turn to final few weeks remaining for training for death ride. Maybe some repeats mid-week at Diablo?

Instead of writing a report with lead-in, body, and conclusion, I'll go list-style: it's simple, fast, and perfect for sleep-deprived folks:

2. I think I was on the verge of OD'ing on Nunn: I suffered through gas pains for the last 40 miles. I complained so much internally about the gas pains, I was sick of my whiny self.

11. I deployed one packet of Chamois Butter after reading that in Ramon's other postings. It helped tremendously. That is, after I squirted half of the content inadvertently (in the direction of lady cyclist happening to walk past).



Good job Jack. :thumb:

#2 - Hammer Endurolytes are your friend. I can barely stand sports drinks in the first place and have found Endurolytes to be a great alternative.

#11 - I'm not even gonna touch that one. :D

Western Wheelers put on a great event. Check-in was quick. The cue sheet's directions, mileages, and elevations were accurate. The colored route markers stuck on the ground were clear and I never missed or even doubted any of the turns. Food at the rest stops was bountifully stocked with bagels, spread, PBJ sandwiches, trail mix, nuts, fruit, water, and Gatorade. Lunch was good with wraps, potato salad (not usually a fan, but there was something in here that was delicious), squash soup, more fruit, etc.

I did the 102mi route for my first century ever and I haven't gone on any rides longer than 37 miles in the last 14 years. In order to survive, I stuck with my plan of taking it really easy, sucking wheel whenever I was allowed, and taking lots of time at the rest stops to pack in calories.

It was COLD in the morning! I dislike wearing/carrying extra gear, but this morning I could've really used it. Any sort of flat or descent was leaving me shivering and gritting my teeth.
First uphill wasn't easy and I felt my front wheel getting just a bit light when I was out of the saddle, but it was ok in my 30-27 gear since my legs were still fresh.

Some of the descents on this ride were exhilarating and I probably would've enjoyed them more were it not for the toe-numbing cold. Garmin Forerunner 305 says my top speed was 49.6mph, but that doesn't seem right.

Tunitas climb at mile 80 was very tough. I think I saw some people SAGing back because of this steep hill.

Total event time... 6:00am to 6:30pm (they were planning to close at 6:00pm, but they were nice enough to have stuck around longer). Total saddle time: 9:20. And in case you're wondering, yes, my sit bones are incredibly bruised due to my lack of conditioning.

Here's my report, list style.

1- since it seemed like everyone was out doing some ride this weekend, I was a last minute 200k addition. PM Ramon to have a 6-6:30 start, well, forgot to turn on the alarm and just getting on 880 from Fremont, I remembered to my water bottles where still in the fridge. After the delays, we got on the rode at 6:55.

2- riding Foothill, this old guy (60's) blast past us. So we caught up and did a little pacelining. Fred, his real name, pushed the pace up Redwood Gulch and hwy 9 to about a half mile to the Skyline when he meet a friend and pulled back.

3- the descent down to Boulder Creek rest stop was a blast. Twisty descent, reaching 40+ mph.

4- Ramon and I were setting a nice easy pace up the south side of 9 passing a bunch of people, until this couple out on a training ride in SVB/Tibco outfits flies past us. I decide to chase, they pull off at the Gap, I continue on the route down Skyline, feeling a twinge in my hamstring. Guess that was not a good idea, mile 45 into a 123 mile ride.

5- lunch was pretty good, chicken wraps. Actually, lunch and all the rest stops was well stock and spaced nicely. I had brought a couple clif bars and gel I never used. Only thing I was looking for was some caffeine boast before Tunitas.

6- Bean Hollow and this filler loop was a killer. Looking at the route sheet, it said 300ft but felt like 1000.

7- Stage road had three nice short climbs, started to feel it on the second one. Made it to the Bike Hut with one last climb and descent to the finish. Popped a couple clifshots hoping this will take me up and over Tunitas.

8- About halfway up Tunitas, I started to feel it in the stomach. Every little water/gatorade/clifshot I tried to eat was going to come back up. So just had to suck it up and went the last 20 miles w/o food or water. Just swooshed my mouth with water every so often. Bypassed the last stop, finally was soda but that was not going to agree.

9- Totals were 123 miles, 8:05 riding time, ~10:00 total time, 10700 ft of climbing.

10- whats this Endurolytes, Nun, Chamois Butter mentioned? Gonna have to start looking into it.

I just did the metric century.

1. Redwood Gulch was a killer, but I'd rather have it early with fresh legs than later. I've never seen so many people standing (or walking) up the hill. I now know my limit. No one would describe me as "dancing on the pedals". I rode up with two guys from the area who were preparing for the death ride and they filled me in on what to expect.

2. The direction arrows were great. I wish all events used them.

3. The food at the Wine Country Century was much better, but they did charge more.

4. The ride up Tunitas was gorgeous. I took it easy and just enjoyed the scenery. There was this guy wearing a UC Davis kit that just blasted by me. Very disappointing to see him at the rest stop and he was probably older than I am (and that's saying something!).

5. I begged the organizers to send me the map ahead of time so I can download it into my Garmin, but for "security" reasons they refused. Jeez. I don't usually consider myself a terrorist.

6. Finally saw the Bike Hut - very cool.

7. Overall, its was a good day. Riding solo has its advantages - didn't have to ride slower or faster than I wanted to. 66.7 miles, 6137 feet

I've not been active on this forum much, but I'll put in my ride report. BTW, I've done one BF ride with my friend Donald dl33 on a Mt. Hamilton ride a few months ago.

Got a late start. Out the parking lot at 7:49am. Doing the 100 miler only. My longest ride this year so far was 51 miles and 4 hours or so. Redwood Gulch is a nice wakeup climb. Thankfully my compact crank came in handy. Very cold at the fire station rest stop. Stuffed up with carbs, refilled bottles, and then motored on. My goal besides finishing the century was to minimize rest stop times, since I'm training to ride the Etape du Tour in July. On the Etape ride, there is a broom wagon that sweeps up riders that fall too far behind.

Enjoyed the fun descent into Boulder Creek. Quick stop at the school ~11:15am. Climbed up 9, which was not too bad, but somehow seemed to go on forever. I ride this alot on my motorcycle, so I know the road very well, but on the bicycle just seemed to never end.

Skipped the fire station #3 stop. On Alpine, suffered the first mile climb, but thoroughly had a grin on the twisty descent. At the lunch stop about 1:50pm, I skipped the heavy foods, and went for the quick carbs. Stretched some, then hit 84 into the stiff headwind. By this point my left quad was starting to cramp. Never had to stop, but did have to take it easy on 84 to save my quad.

Stage Road was a freakin' pain. Almost like a death march for me with my cramping quad. Somehow made it onto Hwy 1, and wow, what a breath-taking view of the coastline on the descent before the turn to Tunitas! I bypassed the Bike Hut stop#5, for fear of cramping really bad while stopping.

Suffered up Tunitas at mile 80, and really "crawled" up the middle steep part. Seemed like my tires were sticking to the somewhat fresh tar on the road. This is great training for the Etape, because I will have to face Mt. Ventoux at mile 93. Of course, Ventoux is a gonna be a real killer: 13 miles ~5,280 ft. Saw Donald on my crawl up. He was smoking along as usual, despite doing the 200K. The last 3 miles to the top, were tough mentally... the grade eased up nicely, but seemed to keep on going for a while.

Quick stop at the top. Usually I down a soda, but didn't feel like it this time. It was cold again on Skyline, so put on my vest, then blazed on down Kings Mtn. What a great descent here! After surviving my quad cramps, I had some strength left and hammered to the VA finish arriving at 5:31pm. Met up with Donald and Ramon there. Enjoyed a nice ice cream bar before heading home.

Good century. Always a tough hilly route. Although I think that the last Sequoia I did in 2005 was harder. After the lunch stop then, faced East Zayante to the Summit. Then the mini walls on Skyline back to Page Mill. Kudos to Western Wheelers, a class act putting on a great ride. Stops were always well stocked, and sag cars were out and about all the time.

My stats: 102.8 miles, 8:45 ride time, 9:42 total time, 9200 ft climbs.

Later,
David in San Jose

Great write ups guys - sounds like this is going to be worth looking out for next year.


11. I deployed one packet of Chamois Butter after reading that in Ramon's other postings. It helped tremendously. That is, after I squirted half of the content inadvertently (in the direction of lady cyclist happening to walk past).



#11 - I'm not even gonna touch that one. :D

oh my.


I'm training to ride the Etape du Tour in July

Now that's a ride that I am seriously drooling over. You'll have to post back after doing that, it's on my "gotta do that one day" list.

Beaker, next year, you gotta do Eastern Sierra. Suffer along with the rest of the Gladiators!!!!

12. Thoughts now turn to final few weeks remaining for training for death ride. Maybe some repeats mid-week at Diablo?

Ya know ... Eastern Sierra would have been perfect preparation for the death ride. There were a bunch of riders who were using Eastern Sierra as training for the death ride.

Beaker, next year, you gotta do Eastern Sierra. Suffer along with the rest of the Gladiators!!!!

.....



oh my.

I had ridden 82 miles the day before (Spectrum ride + some climbing afterwards) which in hindsight wasn't the best idea I have ever had. Sunday morning I was a bit tired and since I had signed up for doing the 200k route I wondered how much suffering I was in for. In the beginning I suffered a bit mostly because it was cold and foggy. I don't do as well in cold and once it warmed up things got much better. My biggest concern was what shape I'd be in when I hit Tunitas Creek. But fortunately I still had some kick in my legs and still felt good. Finally I stopped at the bike hut despite passing it many times and thinking I should stop there "some day". The bike hut has a nice couch to lounge on before you launch your assault on Tunitas. Total time was 9 hrs 24 mins while ride time was 8 hrs 6 mins. Next stop Climb to Kaiser.

Hey Dave, good to see you post here. Good you're getting in some longer rides, Mt Ventoux is going to be rough coming at the ~century mark.



I've not been active on this forum much, but I'll put in my ride report. BTW, I've done one BF ride with my friend Donald dl33 on a Mt. Hamilton ride a few months ago.

Got a late start. Out the parking lot at 7:49am. Doing the 100 miler only. My longest ride this year so far was 51 miles and 4 hours or so. Redwood Gulch is a nice wakeup climb. Thankfully my compact crank came in handy. Very cold at the fire station rest stop. Stuffed up with carbs, refilled bottles, and then motored on. My goal besides finishing the century was to minimize rest stop times, since I'm training to ride the Etape du Tour in July. On the Etape ride, there is a broom wagon that sweeps up riders that fall too far behind.

Enjoyed the fun descent into Boulder Creek. Quick stop at the school ~11:15am. Climbed up 9, which was not too bad, but somehow seemed to go on forever. I ride this alot on my motorcycle, so I know the road very well, but on the bicycle just seemed to never end.

Skipped the fire station #3 stop. On Alpine, suffered the first mile climb, but thoroughly had a grin on the twisty descent. At the lunch stop about 1:50pm, I skipped the heavy foods, and went for the quick carbs. Stretched some, then hit 84 into the stiff headwind. By this point my left quad was starting to cramp. Never had to stop, but did have to take it easy on 84 to save my quad.

Stage Road was a freakin' pain. Almost like a death march for me with my cramping quad. Somehow made it onto Hwy 1, and wow, what a breath-taking view of the coastline on the descent before the turn to Tunitas! I bypassed the Bike Hut stop#5, for fear of cramping really bad while stopping.

Suffered up Tunitas at mile 80, and really "crawled" up the middle steep part. Seemed like my tires were sticking to the somewhat fresh tar on the road. This is great training for the Etape, because I will have to face Mt. Ventoux at mile 93. Of course, Ventoux is a gonna be a real killer: 13 miles ~5,280 ft. Saw Donald on my crawl up. He was smoking along as usual, despite doing the 200K. The last 3 miles to the top, were tough mentally... the grade eased up nicely, but seemed to keep on going for a while.

Quick stop at the top. Usually I down a soda, but didn't feel like it this time. It was cold again on Skyline, so put on my vest, then blazed on down Kings Mtn. What a great descent here! After surviving my quad cramps, I had some strength left and hammered to the VA finish arriving at 5:31pm. Met up with Donald and Ramon there. Enjoyed a nice ice cream bar before heading home.

Good century. Always a tough hilly route. Although I think that the last Sequoia I did in 2005 was harder. After the lunch stop then, faced East Zayante to the Summit. Then the mini walls on Skyline back to Page Mill. Kudos to Western Wheelers, a class act putting on a great ride. Stops were always well stocked, and sag cars were out and about all the time.

My stats: 102.8 miles, 8:45 ride time, 9:42 total time, 9200 ft climbs.

Later,
David in San Jose

Good job Jack. :thumb:

#2 - Hammer Endurolytes are your friend. I can barely stand sports drinks in the first place and have found Endurolytes to be a great alternative.

#11 - I'm not even gonna touch that one. :D

We were wondering if we were going to see you on Tunitas as your atonement for shirking your climbing duties the day before. :rolleyes:

I've tried Endurolytes once by just breaking open the pills and dumping the content into water bottles. Will experiment with that again this weekend.




10- whats this Endurolytes, Nun, Chamois Butter mentioned? Gonna have to start looking into it.

Ah yes, you need more help to climb faster, you demon!


My goal besides finishing the century was to minimize rest stop times, since I'm training to ride the Etape du Tour in July. On the Etape ride, there is a broom wagon that sweeps up riders that fall too far behind.
..
Suffered up Tunitas at mile 80, and really "crawled" up the middle steep part.

David,

I might have seen you on Tunitas also, nearing the "flats" of Tunitas. Might you be rocking the Livestrong kits? In any event, good luck with the Etape. I read about it in NYT last year. Fascinating.



#11 - I'm not even gonna touch that one. :D



oh my.


Folks, it was an accident. I didn't mean anything by it at all. Certainly I wasn't using that as an opener. :innocent:


Ya know ... Eastern Sierra would have been perfect preparation for the death ride. There were a bunch of riders who were using Eastern Sierra as training for the death ride.

Sorry, I don't think I would have even made it (DNS) to Eastern Sierra given the ominous weather reports and that whole discussion on wintry weather preps. I don't do bad weather. Not at all. And don't jinx anything about DR by talking about that hail thing last year.

Folks, where are the pictures? I found one of myself:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BAlpA9Fnpfg/Si0fbQXmdCI/AAAAAAAAD_4/G-Vdsnd5w6o/s576/IMG_1838.JPG

Will definitely do a writeup on the Etape. Thanks for the well wishes, Jack. Yes, that was me in the Livestrong kit on Tunitas. See y'all on the road! Gonna do the Junction and back from San Jose with dl33 Saturday. Here's the link:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=550503&page=2