Beachgrad05

When I saw where the photographer was at...I stopped at bottom and took a photo of the location..which I posted to Facebook with some colorful language. Seriously they put the photographer on a hill at mile 85+ and the hill was a 10%+ grade popper. My legs were not happy about that. I'm grimacing in my photos...not smiling.

PhotoJoe 

Why NOT put the photographer at the top of the toughest hill? After all, if the photographer was at the bottom of a hill, catching the descent, you might as well have had a picture of me sitting on my sofa at home! Besides, positioning at the top of a steep hill gives him PLENTY of time to focus.

TrojanHorse

C'mon! It was a perfect location! I liked my GRR face better last year but hey - what are you going to do.

Beachgrad05

I was very OVER climbing of any sort by this point.

Beachgrad05

It was an odd day too for me in that I got referred to as a man several times. Called sir and dude....oy vey.

TrojanHorse

Time to go back to pink handlebar tape.

For being OVER climbing at that point, you sure look like you're standing up for the picture. I kept looking at my garmin and when I got to about 5800 feet I kept saying "OK, that should be it for climbing" and then GAH, more hills. Even PCH wasn't flat - that whole route was either going up or going down, all damn day.

Has @tunavic bothered to come in here and grovel yet? It's not like he orchestrated the whole thing. I didn't see a single RWBTC jersey all day either, did the whole club chicken out? I think I saw more non-century groups out doing regular group rides than I saw doing the actual century ride. Seemed lightly attended this year.

jimincalif

You both look great climbing that hill, good job. Sounds like it was a challenging ride, hope you enjoyed it. How was the wind along PCH? That weather system was still lingering, i was thinking that would keep the wind more from the south and not so much a headwind for you.

I'd given some thought to doing that ride, buyt I've been doing a lot of driving recently so I just wasn't up to getting up there for it. Just as well as I had a moderate cold the last few days. Rode 54 miles with the cold on Saturday and I was wiped out.

Beachgrad05

The ONLY way I was getting up that popper was by standing. And yes the day seemed to be either going up, going down or into the wind. Not having done this ride...it did seem to be light on riders. When we got there it seemed like nobody was there. It felt like I was on a solo ride most of the day since I was pretty much alone on the road. I was thankful that I saw the SAG vehicles all day. I complemented CVC after the ride on their support. I have been on rides where there is zilch for SAG support. And when you are alone in unfamiliar territory it was nice to know I would get help if I needed it.

TrojanHorse

Well, I'm not exactly sure how they managed it but I think there was a headwind for 85% of the route and I'm really not kidding. At one point, we rode along an exposed road for a bit with a strong wind coming from the right, and then turned left 90 degrees into a headwind.

The headwind on PCH was pretty stiff and consistent but not too awful, really. It looks like I averaged about 15.5 through there, including a couple minutes to stop and change the battery in my gopro. I did latch on behind two gents for a bit who were going a little slower than I wanted to go, but the draft benefit was not to be denied.

Beachgrad05

I did pretty much ZERO drafting.

jsigone

when I take pics at MTB bike races, I always pick the narliest parts of the course so I can heckle...eer cheer my friends when they probably want to punch me

jimincalif

Sounds good. On the Temecula ride the week before we had a good headwind on the way back. I latched onto a group that was riding a bit faster than I wanted to go, but no way did I want to let myself get dropped and lose the drafting benefits. Figured pushing my pace was preferable to fighting the wind on my own!

TJClay

I'm not sure if I remember what a tailwind feels like. All in all though a very good century, well marked, good stocked rest stops and I expected the wind to be worse on PCH. I've never ridden in the Santa Monica mountain range before and I'm looking forward to it next year.

TrojanHorse

I know! Well, PCH wasn't as bad as it could have been IMO. I want to say it was windier last year. It's a nice course though and CVCC does a nice job with the ride support.

Beachgrad05

Course was definitely nice and I was very appreciative of the support. I told one of their representatives such at the finish. Not their fault I stink at climbing. I am not sure I will sign up for the century again....however....never say never.