Southern California - Solvang Century

I have been thinking about doing an organized century for awhile now. I had tentatively planned on doing one this past year but things didn't work out (work being the particular problem).

Now I'm thinking about the Solvang on March 13, 2010. Has anyone done this ride? I'm concerned about rain. March is the monsoon season for the most part and I WILL NOT ride in the rain. Mist or fog are OK but NOT "rain."

So, does this ride tend to be "in between" storms? Or do the participants get wet?

I rode this the last two years and it didn't rain either time. It was cold and foggy when we started, but no rain, although I heard tales of a hail storm several years ago.

Done it 9 times, the first in 1989, and got rained on at least 3 times. Yes, it hailed pretty hard one time. Sometimes the wind is terrible. The main thing to watch out for is the other riders. Thousands of people riding at all different speeds can be dangerous. The support is o.k. at best, food o.k. at best, and there are long lines for everything. Enjoy! My club used to do it every year until we all got tired of it.
I prefer smaller centuries like the one I am doing today, less than 100 riders, fantastic support, and wonderful home-cooked food.

I prefer smaller centuries like the one I am doing today, less than 100 riders, fantastic support, and wonderful home-cooked food.

Which Century are you riding today?

Which Century are you riding today?

I did a ride put on by a club called Adobo Velo. The start is near Castaic Lake, climbs Lake Hughes Road, out to Quail Lake, and back. Hence, the "Three Lakes" century. Hard, but fun. I also like the L.A. Wheelmen rides. Cheap, great food and support, and great people.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u308/bigjohn53/FIRSTCLIMB.jpg

I'll probably do Solvang this year also, but after 3 years of riding & racing in Holland & Belgium, (and not wanting to risk ruining my Brooks saddle), I feel the same way about rain.
The problem is that SCOR expects us to register several weeks in advance, so if you pay the fee & reserve a hotel room, you're screwed.
This is why I feel entirely justified in bandit-running this one if it's dry. I'll ask if they offer race-day registration, but if they tell me 'Sorry, nope.', I'll simply say 'Don't be!' and bring a few bucks and two extra Clif bars on my bandit-Century.

Public roads are open to all taxpayers that last time I checked.