Northern California - Wine Country Century

A NorCal BF Favorite - May 1st

98% sold out already!

52 spots left out of 2500 field limit.

LINK (http://srcc.memberlodge.com/calendar?eventId=62955&EventViewMode=EventDetails)
PayPal or credit cards accepted

Whew, thanks for posting. I had no idea it was open.

Bring on the rain!

I hope it doesn't rain like it did last year. That was brutal.

Just signed up for the double metric. There goes my goal of not going for mileage this year, just variety.

Bump for 4 spaces left!

Phew, I'm in, thanks Scott. I had no idea this would sell out so fast. Signed up for the double metric, rain or shine.

And its gone!!!

i didn't think it would sell out so fast either. I hope the weather stays dry.

Whew, thanks for posting. I had no idea it was open.

Bring on the rain!


http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hSZo5vjiPmQ/Sfz8k0MgLwI/AAAAAAAAGA4/Kq5lrobbJ44/s800/P5020007.JPG

Right on! That was a fun time.

I'm so much better prepared for rain this year than last. But, I've done 3 centuries so far in 2010 and I've made a resolution to not pay for non-doubles/DR.

Still not understanding the appeal of riding in the rain. Sure you grow chest hair, but you'll just need to shave it off later anyway. Y'all are hardcore.

Still not understanding the appeal of riding in the rain. Sure you grow chest hair, but you'll just need to shave it off later anyway. Y'all are hardcore.

The only way I can explain why I enjoy riding in the rain is with an question you can answer for yourself:

Have you ever played in water? in the rain? jumped in the puddle? and enjoyed yourself?

Doesn't this draw the appeal of riding in the rain?

http://spingineer.smugmug.com/Cycling/Wine-Country-2009/IMG0360/527500643_nb8Ev-M.jpg

Still not understanding the appeal of riding in the rain. Sure you grow chest hair, but you'll just need to shave it off later anyway. Y'all are hardcore.

I guess it depends if you're going to let the threat of rain make you waste the money and avoid a stonking good time. You'd never ride outdoors from November to May if that were the case.

C'mon Jack, where are yer stones, man?


I'm so much better prepared for rain this year than last. But, I've done 3 centuries so far in 2010 and I've made a resolution to not pay for non-doubles/DR.

Of course, it is always possible to have an excess of stonage.

Aside from the riding it was actually a nice weekend.

I would but our clubs century is the next day and we have a lot of set up and prep to do.

I've done 3 centuries so far in 2010 and I've made a resolution to not pay for non-doubles/DR. Were those organized centuries or rides that you yourself constructed? I'm asking because I want to up my mileage.

i'm ok riding in the threat of rain. just not when it's ominous threat of rain and cold.

come to think of it, i did make a 3-mile loop with wife yesterday and it rained the minute we left our driveway. i caught myself saying: "hey, this isn't too bad. what's with all that whiny sounds i made before?"

I didn't realize registration was so soon ... well, if I don't make it for WCC, there's always GPC.

i'm ok riding in the threat of rain. just not when it's ominous threat of rain and cold.

come to think of it, i did make a 3-mile loop with wife yesterday and it rained the minute we left our driveway. i caught myself saying: "hey, this isn't too bad. what's with all that whiny sounds i made before?"

Hey, you got it. It's not too bad. I rode yesterday morning as well and got my share of showers. Yet I really enjoyed my ride.
They key is to have the proper clothing to keep your upper body warm. My jacket is only water resistant (not waterproof) but very breathable and with a good windproof front panel so I was always very comfortable even going down Diablo. The other key point to protect, in my opinion, are the feet. Keeping them dry and warm makes a huge difference.
May be it's me only but I think breathing is a lot easier when it's wet, like if there's more oxygen in the air. It's something I first experienced while running in College, I was always doing better when it was raining.
Anyway Diablo was beautiful yesterday morning. I was almost alone and probably saw more worms crossing the road than I saw bikes. And only 4 or 5 cars. Perfect day on the mountain. Still a strange feeling at the Junction, nobody there not even a ranger.

Well, I missed the reg...I know this is a long shot, but if anyone cannot make it, I will 'happily' buy your spot!

Really wanted to go again this year... the rain didn't scare me away... but i have to take my mother to the airport that day. By the time i get back it would be too late to start. =( needless to say i already asked her to change her ticket, she said no.

Well, I missed the reg...I know this is a long shot, but if anyone cannot make it, I will 'happily' buy your spot!Keep an eye on Craigslist as the date comes closer. People always have to drop out for one reason or another.


Really wanted to go again this year... the rain didn't scare me away... but i have to take my mother to the airport that day. By the time i get back it would be too late to start. =( needless to say i already asked her to change her ticket, she said no.Tell her to take the damn bus!

Kidding, of course. That's some unfortunate timing. Oh well, next year!

trinity000
Tell your mother that airport security has greatly slowed down and she needs to be there however early you need to leave for the ride.

Bump - so who's actually doing this? Hoping I made my sacrifice to the rain gods at Primavera and that I'll be treated to a dry WCC.

WCC route is too easy. I'd much rather do the GPC.

Bump - so who's actually doing this?I'm still planning on it, as long as I can get an appropriate bike put together in time. And, you know, maybe get some riding in. :innocent:


Hoping I made my sacrifice to the rain gods at Primavera and that I'll be treated to a dry WCC.Super-extendo-forecast calls for May 1st to be sunny and 81 degrees in Santa Rosa, but cloudy and 75 the next day. So I guess fingers need to stay crossed.

WCC route is too easy. I'd much rather do the GPC.

Best avoid signing up for it then.

Bump - so who's actually doing this? Hoping I made my sacrifice to the rain gods at Primavera and that I'll be treated to a dry WCC.
I'm thinking of attempting the double metric. The elevation profile doesn't look too bad, but i've never done that distance before.

I'm thinking of attempting the double metric. The elevation profile doesn't look too bad, but i've never done that distance before.

I did double metric last year in the torrential downpour. The only hard climbing is kind of front loaded, heading over to Coleman Valley. Even that, you're really doing it the easy way - you descend Coleman Valley to the ocean. I really enjoyed the ride, and the support was pretty good on a really nasty day. The only part that seemed kind of endless were the 20 miles or so along Westside/Dry Creek roads leading to lunch, then the 20 miles coming out of lunch. The route is pretty, but we were soaked through by this point and this section is flat enough that you get lots of time to think about how miserable you are. On a nice day these are excellent cycling roads.

JB

Bump - so who's actually doing this? Hoping I made my sacrifice to the rain gods at Primavera and that I'll be treated to a dry WCC.

Moi - the easy 100 mile option. Got a friend who's looking for an entry if anyone knows of an availability. Checked Craig's List already. You could do the Diablo Century this Sunday instead! I'll probably do that next year.

Did they have the DC the same weekend as DMD last year too?

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hSZo5vjiPmQ/Sf9UEwYtO2I/AAAAAAAAGB4/3cKiPVnoY_A/s800/WCC%2002.JPG

Any recommendations for hotels/motels nearby the start at the Wells Fargo Center ?
I am considering riding to the start since it seems that parking is limited.

I rode the metric in 2006 and will be doing so again this year. I remember reading a lot of ride reports from last year's soakfest. It sounded like something that was cool to have done after the fact. :)

I do remember of all the organized rides I've done, I liked this one the best in terms of support, food, etc. Scenery is fantastic!

Let me know if you or know anyone that have a changed of heart about this ride. I'll be interested.

I'll look for you out there. I'm looking forward to the distance + scenery. If the weather's good it'll be fun to see what kind of time I can put in.

Bump - so who's actually doing this? Hoping I made my sacrifice to the rain gods at Primavera and that I'll be treated to a dry WCC.

Quick, sacrifice something better...

10-Day Business Travel Forecast for
Santa Rosa, CA

May 1

http://i.imwx.com/web/common/wxicons/45/11.gif?12122006
Few Showers
67°
46°
30%

Looks like another day for "THE RAIN BIKE", and rain jacket and tights and double gloves...



I did double metric last year in the torrential downpour. JB

LOL, I remember heavy drizzle at worst.

30% chance is better than the 50% chance of rain last year.
If 50% chance equals torrential downpour maybe 30% chance equals showers.:rolleyes:
In any case I hope to see you guys out there.

Ha

Ha-ha

Ha----haaaa-hahahahahahahahahaa.

(OFFS)

No way I'll be ready in time for this weekend, unfortunately. Anyone want an entry?

I missed out on reg...and I am in the area too. boo...

Last year it wsa 30% too, up until the morning of the ride. Then it was 50%, which meant 50% of the water hitting you comes from the sky, other 50% comes from the road, but def. raining all day. Have fun.

Last year it wsa 30% too, up until the morning of the ride.

Newest forecast: highs in the mid 70's... ZERO percent chance of precip!

You guys who signed up will have great weather this weekend!

I missed out on reg...and I am in the area too. boo...

did you PM Alex/x136 to see if he'll sell you his reg?

Entry procured. Please don't freakin' rain!!

FREE REGISTRATION AVAILABLE!

Come on folks, you know you want to go! Don't let it go to waste!

[EDIT: Gone!]

I will take it if you still have it.

Picked up a reg today, I'm in!

2010 Wine Country Ride Report (100K)

I had done this ride once before in 2006, and it was always one of my favorites. After yesterday, I remember why I thought so highly of this well organized ride.

Parking is limited at the Wells Fargo center in Santa Rosa, so I got there at about 6:30, even though 100k peeps weren't supposed to leave until 7:30. I left at about 7:15. It was a sunny and clear morning. I started the ride in shorts and arm warmers with a vest. The only real complaint I have about the ride is that the first rest stop is only 10 miles into the ride. It comes just when you're getting warmed up on the bike. I stopped anyway, as one of my lessons this year is to spend longer times at rest stops to prevent suffering on the bike later in the ride.

Between rest stop#1 and the lunch stop, is 20 miles of some of the most scenic wine country the area has to offer. Just gorgeous. Up to that point, the winds had been non-existant. However, a few miles after rest stop 1, the ever-increasing winds started blowing. It was never so bad as to make you feel as if you were standing still, but it was enough to make you feel it in your legs as you fought it for 20 miles. The roads on this leg were mostly rolling hills. As I had left early, there were never big crowds on the roads. After fighting the wind, my legs needed the break at the lunch stop. They have a create your own sandwich station, along with the usual snack table filled with bananas, fig newtons, cookies, etc. The organizers also had large tarps laid out on the wet grass so that you could eat your lunch in the sun. It also allowed me to take off my shoes and lay down and stretch for a bit.
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I stayed at the lunch stop for 25 minutes or so. I refilled the water and gatorade bottles and headed out for rest stop #3. By that time, it was warm enough to shed the vest. It was a fifteen mile leg with a small climb soon after leaving the lunch area. The climb is no big deal, but the descent is long and straight. At the bottom, you turn right into the small town of Geyserville. This is where the route differs from 2006. Back then, they had you continue straight through town and kind of mirror Highway 101 for a while before turning into the valley. Now, they have you turn onto 128 and follow that through more scenic wine country, skirting the foothills. This was the greatest part of the ride as there was a strong tailwind. It felt like floating on air cruising at 25mph with hardly any effort at all. Those 15 miles seemed to just fly by. Pulling into rest stop #3, I felt strong still, but the back was beginning to stiffen up. #3 is more like a quick stop: just the usual snack and liquid stations. I took my shoes off and put my feet up, though.
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For the last leg, it had gotten warm enough to shed the arm warmers. The last 15 miles were mostly more of the same rolling hills with the exception of the Chalk Hill climb. Fortunately, we still had the wind mostly with us on the last leg. I felt strong until we got to the Chalk Hill climb. It's not a big one, really. Nothing compared to most training hills I ride, but coming at mile 54 for this 275lb guy, it kicked my butt pretty much. I was passed by several on the way up, but the best thing about being a big fat guy is that I get to make up for it on the descent. I re-passed a few people going down and felt strong for the last 6 miles home. However, my back starting aching from the effort on the hill, and it reminded me why doing 100 mile rides might be an issue for me. (I've done one century in '06 but was suffering big time at the end). My legs and conditioning were still ready for more, though, if not for the damn back. Perhaps when I lose the belly, the back will fall in line? Anyway, as I crossed the finish line, I had a big smile on my face as I couldn't remember feeling so good ever after a long ride. As I sat in my car after the ride, drinking my ice cold chocolate milk, I couldn't remember a better time on the bicycle.

The post ride meal takes place in a large tent. They have BBQ turkey sandwiches, pasta and salad. I paid for a 15 min chair massage, which did wonders for the back and neck.
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I know for most of you, this ride would be like a warm up or something, but for a big guy like me, it felt great! Perhaps by next year I'll be ready to tackle the 100 mile route?
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What a great ride! The weather was perfect, the route gorgeous and low traffic, and the support was phenomenal. The tail wind for the last thirty didn't hurt, either. Not a challenging course, but beautiful and fun. One of the best days on the bike I can remember.