C0500

Epic effort. I like the fact that you never talked about bailing. Nice work.

Enjoy

jppe

105 miles with 5400' of climbing in the NC foothills. Wind was a real nuisance the last 60 miles. 40 miles were new cycling roads to me which helps with avoiding boredom. Rode through the Battleground which has an 8 mile stretch of climbs, descents and flats.

Rick@OCRR

On Saturday we took a group of double-century first-timers on a training ride over the upper half of the Camino Real Double course. A tad short of a century at 92.2 miles but a fine ride organized by Lois Ruben (who has ridden one double - Grand Tour Highland). Here it is on Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/243042172

Then I Sunday I drove up to Thousand Oaks to ride the Los Angeles Wheelmen's Janus Century. Another beautiful day and super clear (we could see for miles and miles!) This one "official" a 101.9 miles. On Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/243042192

A fun weekend of riding with an "almost" on Sat. and an Official Century on Sunday.

Rick / OCRR

Rick@OCRR

Saturday was my fourth century in January, 102 miles on the Southern End of the El Camino Real double century course. A lovely day in South Orange County and North San Diego County. Here it is on Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/245642082

Cycling Mileage so far in January 2015: 904, Elevation Gain: 56,037.

Rick / OCRR

Stevie47

This is my Garmin after completing a ride last spring. I may be the only cyclist in history to ride this distance

az_cyclist

This report is a few weeks late, but I got the flu then an ear infection a few days after the ride. My first century of 2015 was the Saguaro Lake 200k brevet

I knew there would be a few from our club riding this brevet, which makes it nice
It was cold when we started in Fountain Hills, AZ, about 29 F. I was wearing bibs, lycra knee warmers, short sleeve base layer, short sleeved jersey, wool arm warmers, lined vest, ear warmers, and full fingered gloves with glove liners. I also had hand warmers for the first part of the ride. After a quick meeting the brevet started with a few rollers, then a downhill over the Verde River. I heard later the temp was 22 F at that point, about 8 miles into the ride. At that point the sun was up and we were starting to climb, which helped build some heat. We were riding east northeast toward the Superstition Mts and the Mazatal Mtns.

We turned right on the Bush Hwy, which ran along Saguaro Lake. It was a bit hazy, and the route went up and down hills (but you could not call them rollers). At about 24 miles we started to climb Usury Pass, a 4 mile climb with grades from 4 - 8%. I pulled down my arm warmers for the climb. The first control point was at the top. We regrouped there, then got ready for a downhill, which meant zipping up jackets and vests, etc. There was another control point at 48 miles. After that control point we had the 8-mile downhill that we had climbed earlier, then lunch at the start point.

It felt warmer after lunch (this was between 1230 and 1, We had to clime a few hills to start the afternoon loop, then a stretch that alternated between flat and gently 1-2% climbs. at 90 miles we started more climbs, including 4 miles @ 4% at 100 miles. The last control point was at 104 miles, after which we had about 10 miles or so of a nice downhill. At that control point I put on all my cold weather gear again, which I was glad I did.

The 5 of us returned to the finish together as a group. It was my first official RUSA brevet. We had one more regroup.... at the Burger King next to the parking lot

az_cyclist

Thanks Bill. I am riding and running again (actually as of Jan 17). I just need time to edit my GoPro videos of the brevet.

Rick@OCRR

This one didn't start out to be a century; just the Sunday club ride, but it was such a beautiful day, I kept adding miles and climbs. Before it started to get dark I ended it; 111 miles, 5,791 feet of climbing. Only two stops, both a different Starbucks.

Here it is on Garmin (since some of you can't open Strava): Garmin Connect

Rick / OCRR

az_cyclist

(Y) Rick. I have never done that, stretching a ride to 100 when I didnt plan to. I am kind of hoping I can stretch out a century on Feb 14. If not I will on the 28th,

Rick@OCRR

It wasn't intentional. I did the morning OCRR club ride but when that was over (41 miles) I found myself wanting more. I knew my wife was on another club's century so I didn't have any particular need to be home soon. So . . . from the far edges of the city of Orange (almost Santa Ana) I rode back to Santiago Canyon, then added a Back Bay loop.

All good fun and by the time I drove home from Irvine it was just getting dark. Of course I can't do this kind of thing if I have life "duties" calling, but since yesterday was free in that sense, I just went for it!

Rick / OCRR

az_cyclist

That makes a lot of sense, Rick.. I just have not found myself in that opportunity before ^5 for doing it. My wife doesnt ride, but she is fairly supportive. Last year I did the Ultramarathon Cycling Year Rounder challenge, where you ride at least 12 rides of 90+ miles in 10 calendar months. Some of the 12 were CA doubles, and some were ride the club ride of 50 miles, stop home for a turkey sandwich, then head out for 40-50 more. Once, in August or Sept, I was racing a thunderstorm home!

Rick@OCRR

My wife and I rode the Tour of Palm Springs Century on Saturday 2/14/15 on a beautiful day in the California desert.

Here it is on Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/255450214

The average temperature was 75 Deg.F so a nice day with almost no wind (unusual for this ride). The various high-schools in the area provided bands for musical entertainment at all the rest stops plus there was plenty of food and drink choices at each stop.

My ride was completely trouble free, pretty much just cruising along, no problem on the climbing (not much, only 3,376 feet) and controlled pace-lines once we got away from the mass-start crowds. An easy century, really, #6 for me so far in 2015. Lots of friendly riders to talk with as we rode along.

Rick / OCRR

az_cyclist

nice, Rick, and from what I have heard you were fortunate to not have a windy ride. I think I will add the Palm Springs Century to my cycling Bucket List

Rick@OCRR

Yes Dwight,

Very fortunate this year with no wind compared to previous years. It's a great event but lots of riders (I heard an estimate of 11,000) although not sure how many do the century. The town really gets behind the event, very well managed, well marked and police controlled intersections, at least in the morning.

At the end of the century you merge back in with the shorter-distance riders so that's the only part I don't like. Fast century riders finishing with relatively slower 25 and 50 miles riders . . . just not safe. Fortunately I didn't witness any crashes! Huge vendor area (Cannondale, TREK, KHS, Electra all had bikes) lots of food choices and overall a great day in the desert.

Rick / OCRR

az_cyclist

Rick, would it be best (read cheaper) to stay in Palm Springs, or somewhere nearby?

Rick@OCRR

Hi Dwight,

We stayed at (one of three in Palm Springs) Motel 6 @ 86.00 per night for two nights. My wife handles all the reservations at these "away" rides and she shops around a bit. The advantage to this Motel 6 is that we can ride right onto the route in the morning and we're close to the finish in the afternoon. Plus, we just leave the car parked and don't have to hassle with finding parking in the morning (which can be a challenge).

Works for us but YMMV, of course.

Rick / OCRR

az_cyclist

$86 sounds about par for the course for Motel 6 in So Cal. I have a room at the one in Buelton, and will book one in Hemet tonight

Rick@OCRR

The first California double century of 2015 is in the books! A great ride on a beautiful warm day (somewhat overcast at first) riding with my good friend Peg Miller and seeing 70+ rider Jim Pettit (and his other Bullshifters team-mates) along the way.

Here it is on Garmin: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/703620535

And on Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/258522548#comments

Actual riding time was 13:16:20 whereas overall time (counting time at the checkpoints) was 15:14:28. The mileage came up a tad short at 194.7 but since anything over 190 counts in the California Triple Crown, I'll take it!

Climbing (elevation gain) was 9,459 so just short of 10,000 (which I was expecting). Link to the ride: Planet Ultra | Cycling Events and Tours » Camino Real Double

I didn't have any mechanicals or flats on my KHS and Peg only had one problem (derailleur hanger came loose on her Cervelo) but she fixed that rather quickly. Of the 15 plus hours about four were in the dark (one in the morning, three in the evening).

Motorists gave us plenty of room, no issues throughout the day, even on the narrow, no shoulder roads in Bonsoll and Fallbrook. Dinner after the ride was covered in the entry fee and we stayed at the restaurant until 11:00 PM talking to other riders as they rolled in. A wonderful day overall, both on and off the bikes.

Rick / OCRR

Leo001

Jealous of all the riders on the west coast, we are experiencing frigid cold her in NE PA, so not much riding outside.
I did my first century last fall, did the NJ Grand Fondo, had a great time. I'm considering one here in April, but concerned about the lack of available training rides prior. The ride is about 102 mikes and 8500 of climbing.

Carbonfiberboy 

And here in the PNW we are experiencing an odd weather pattern: instead of the usual rainy weekends and nice weekdays, it's been the reverse, with nice weekends and midweek rainy periods. Snow levels have continued to be anti-skiing however, almost entirely above the ski area bases.

This coming Saturday is a century we have frequently done, the SIR WTS #8 ride. Last year we rode a section of it into the teeth of a gale which turned into snow flurries on the climbs. This year it's supposed to be rather calm and sunny with temps of 37°-52°. If that holds, we'll ride it again this year. The headwinds and snow of last year were a bit much. OTOH, the skiing was great last year.

There's also an SIR 200k we're eyeing, either the one in March or the one in April, DOW. And we signed up for the STP one-day again.

Phloom

This summer, I am planning to ride from Edmonton to Sylvan Lake in one day and go back the next day. The route I am planning will be 122 miles each way. The shortest distance is about 100 miles but I would be on the shoulder of the busiest highway in Alberta for 90 miles. Before I attempt this, I am going to ride the equivalent miles in a route around my place just to make sure I can do it. Plus lots of miles every weekend leading up to this.

jppe

I sure wish was just a little closer to where I lived. Right up my alley.


Alabama Backroads Cycling Century Series 100 Mile Ride Statewide Bicycle

jppe

100.1 miles with 4100' of climbing. Temps 32-37 degrees. It was a long slow distance ride.

az_cyclist

I hope to get in 100 this Saturday. Club ride + extra

Carbonfiberboy 

My wife got sick with food poisoning the day before the century, so we bagged the tandem plan and I just rode it on one of my singles. Only other ride I've done on a single in the past year was 20 miles. Anyway, I had a blast and just killed it. One of the first riders in. No one passed me all day. But without having done the century on the tandem, I think we'll have to bag the 200k. We'll see how strong we feel.