CyLowe97

Anyone planning on riding all or part of the Apple Cider Century out of Three Oaks, MI, on October 1st?

It's a nice ride through SW Michigan and dips down into Indiana for some of the ceuntry route.

daddystheman

I'm tentatively planning on it, though I haven't registered yet. I heard that they cut off registration at 5000 riders (wow!). Do you know if they are still taking registrations? Is it safe to show up on ride day and be able to get in? I'm a bit nervous about the weather at that time, so I'd rather just wait until the last minute to decide.

If I do show up, I'll be doing the full century. How about you?

CyLowe97

Not sure about day of registration. I registered after last year's ride to keep my cost down.

I'm planning on riding all 100 again this year. Last year's ride was my first century. I'm not sure if there were 5,000 people riding last year or not, but it is a pretty dang big ride. Getting out on the century route, there are still plenty of riders to keep the miles moving.

SensoryOverload

I checked about 3 weeks ago and there were about 3000 registered.

JSChance

The wife and I are already registered to participate. The distance we're planning on will be determined on the weather of the day. Last year we did the metric century in a contant drizzle which was not a whole lot of fun (neither one of us were equipped for foul weather, an oversite we've since corrected). If it's a good day, we'll probably shoot for that or maybe the 75. Don't know if we're up for a century (with two kids, it's hard for us to get an early start on the day).

It's a pretty good ride, and there are a bunch of folks on bikes that day. Not as big as the LATE ride, but pretty big none the less. They do a good job of moving folks though the SAG stops too, and if it's nasty out, they bring out the hot potato soup.

Shotgun

I am planning to ride in it. I did my first 1/2 century in the ACC in 2004. I'm expecting to do my first century this year.

Registration update from the ACC website, as of 9/19:

We are still taking registrations for Apple Cider Century 2006, but not by mailed-in application forms, you will need to call the Hotline at 1-888-877-2068 (toll-free) or (269) 756-3361 to apply, no later than Saturday, after that, you will need to call the same hotline and confirm that we are still accepting applications for the weekend of the ride, and then come to the school and register in person.

plobby

Im definatly thinking about it, if i go I will probably be doing the full 100.

velodev

I was planning on it. After the North Shore Century I was ready for another... however, the people I would ride with are unable to make it. Some have valid reasons, and others I think are just retiring early this season.

Sad, I was really hoping to do it.

CyLowe97

My plans have changed and won't be able to make it to the ride this year.

Everyone riding it have a great time!

Shotgun

The weather forecast for Sunday just keeps looking better and better.

plobby

I jsut picked up my package...ill be there around 6 tomorrow. Chicago time

JSChance

Man, what a beautiful day for a bike ride. We kicked off right around 8:30 or so, and took off into sunny misty roads. The mists burnt off to leave a cool sunny day. Weather was cool but not cold, winds were gentle breeze at most.

The wife and I rode the 75 mile loop, and other than one stretch of road that just seemed to suck energy out of our tires, it was nice riding.

genel

I rode 108 miles. The road markers at a key turn had been painted over. A terrific day. Best ACC weather I've ever seen.

I started about 5:45 local. Very dark and foggy, but the stars were spectacular. I forgot the battery for my CyGlo light and was just using a helmet mounted maglight, and an old CatEye. Forced me to keep the speed down to around 10-12. At intersections I had to walk across since I couldn't see to the other side. I was really glad when the sky started to lighten up.

The road was rough as usual and the route quite hilly, especially the last 50. Route markers were quite hard to see at times as the road was damp. This was also complicated by the fact that there were markers that were much newer from another ride. Much time was spent checking the map.

I finished a little after 2:00. A great ride!

Shotgun

I started a few minutes after 9:00 and did the 100 mile route. As mentioned, there were problems with some of the markings. Some of the marks were way too far into the intersections.

It was a beautiful day for the ride, though! The hills a little over half-way through gave me a struggle for a while. Nice day for my first century ride though.

No_Minkah

I rode the ACC yesterday, my first century.

Miles 1-25: Easy pace. Good times. Got to the first checkpoint feeling great, nice and warmed up. I saw Carlos (steaktaco) and his XXX buddies on the road and talked to them at this stop.
Miles 25-~50: Quicker pace. Hilly. We rode a nice paceline for awhile, the miles just melted away. We stopped and got food and coffee in the town here.
Miles 50-63: Starting to feel some semi-serious fatigue. Juice left
Miles 63-92: This...this part was the hard part. We probably missed a rest stop in the middle of this stretch. Around here the 100-mile route left all the others, and went up and down some long hills, which couldn't have come at a worse time. There were times when I thought "I could close my eyes right now, that would feel really good. Mmmm." We finally made it to the last rest stop, and believe me when I tell you that I've never been happier to see an apple or get off a bike. Nice long rest here.
The final 8 miles were fun. Triumphant. We rode fast.

Here are my pictures

Shotgun

I lost all my energy around mile 55. I was almost convinced I would have to SAG out. The second rest stop was at mile 43, BTW. I stopped and rested a couple times in the next few miles, and started feeling better. By mile 65, I was actually feeling pretty good, but had slowed my pace a bit. The hills are not my friends. Most of my normal riding is pretty flat. I was reminded again with this ride that I must work on my climbing! Yeah, the last 8 miles felt good. It was a nice ending to a long ride on a beautiful day!