Solvang Century
 

Which route is better -
Solvang's Finest Century in November?
or Solvang Century in March?

Solvang Century in March is okay. However, if you ride the SKOR Prelude, you get the pretty portion of the route. IMO, the March ride is the Prelude with 40 miles of less than pretty area thrown in to get you to 100.

As for the Solvang's Finest Century, I will have to get back to you after November 10th on that one.

solvangs finest....way better.

Anyone doing the one in March besides me? (& Herb, I think)

MArkaj and our friend steve are going...
I have a reservation in Lompoc

yes

I'll be there :)

I'll be there with North Texas Team In Training. It will be my first.

Sorry about being pedantic, but it's Specialized Cardiac Outpatient Rehabilitation, or SCOR.
It was my second century in 1989, and I did it 8 more times. One time there were 6000 riders.
Edit; I had switched the 2nd and 3rd words in SCOR. Dyslexia strikes again.

I stand corrected and rightfully so. :o

I'll be there w/ TnT also, last year was my first also w/ TnT. Good luck!

What do you get for the $65 entry fee???

A sore butt! Sorry, . . . couldn't help it.:D

The opportunity to ride from Solvang to Santa Maria and back ... some okay food, and a little bike swap meet. All that for a whopping $65 .... what a bargain, eh???

$2 dollar beers at the finish...

oh, and solvang was my first century, also done w/ team in training...

this year will be my second... also with team in training. speaking of which... i need to do some training, haha

I have seen the elevation chart for the ride but have no idea about what the course is like.

Can anyone share? long steady climbs, or short steep ones? how much is flat? etc?

Thanks!

What are the temperatures like at this time?

I just signed up for the March 8th Solvang because a couple of friends whose pace resembles my own signed up. Yes, the $65 pisses me off; Cool Breeze gives incomparable support for a lot less. Still. As usual, I'll say hi to BF riders at the start and watch you disappear over the horizon!

The Fall Solvang century ride reports are in this thread. It was hard, but good. I had a great time.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=361287



I really like the approach PU takes to this ride, and will definitely be doing more of them. Personally, I don't mind paying their fees. I believe it allows them to continue in the business of putting on cool rides that are just a little bit different.

It's all good...

Looks like I am doing the spring ride, along with a good friend that will be doing her first big organized ride (though she'll probably do the 50 miler).

Any recommendations for good places to stay? I'd love to find a place with a sauna, but that's probably asking for too much....

Solvang books up a year in advance for this...I am staying in Lompoc...also some places in Santa Barbara book up...

Jackie and I always ride the Spring Solvang because its good training for the Solvang Spring Double, which is usually two weeks later (haven't checked for 2008).

I actually like the Spring Solvang Century course a lot, good variety in terms of climbs and flat bits, plus excellent scenery. Checkpoint fare is okay/adequate, but certainly not wonderful. Temps vary dramatically from year to year, but the one thing to keep in mind (at least I do) is that the worse the conditions are, the better stories you have for the years that follow!

Rick / OCRR

I've only done the whole route for Solvang's Finest, but I've ridden all of those roads over there at one point or another, and I would say looking at the route for the on in March that the Finest route is better. I could do without the back half of Foxen, Dominion, and going through Orcutt.

where are you staying Herb? I may be up for this one...

Your favorite place.....
Holiday Inn Express - Lompoc...
stayed there for the Prelude...