SillyRabbit

Hello,

I am planning on riding the Cool Breeze Century in Ventura and was wondering if anyone else has done it. How was it and what should i expect? This would be my first century and being that it takes place in late august, i think i have enough time to train for it. I have been road cycling for about 2 years now, nothing serious just recreational. I've been looking to complete a century for the longest time and have considered just getting out there and doing it on my own, but i believe that riding in a supported event like this would be the best way to 'break' myself in for further centuries to come.

GP

There's some climbing; mostly in the first half. Not too bad as far as centuries go.

Good support. Plenty of food, drinks and restrooms.

I've done it twice and the weather has been nice both times.

I suggest going easy at the beginning and end of the ride on the bike trail. Its narrow and people are excited at the beginning and tired at the end.

There's a lot of Team in Training groups riding in their first century. Maybe it's me but they seem to have a higher percentage of squirrelly riders than other groups.

Mr. Beanz

Did the double metric. Some good climbing, nothing steep, just consistently thoughout the ride.

big john

I've done it 8 or 9 times. It's not the easiest century but it's not the hardest, either. It's well set up and supported but there are always crashes, especially in the hills.

Al Bundy

Its a great ride. A bit less scenic since the fires but well supported and organised. Have done it the last two years and will do it again this year.
Team in Training is a phenomenon that you will find on most centuries so not particular to this one.
The route is well posted and the food is good.
best of luck
mike

socalslowguy

Great ride and there should be a tailwind on the last section going south along the coast. But what's with the black and white jersey this year?

IanInSD

I suggest to go as fast as possible in the first 20 miles because of the squirrelly riders. Everyone is tired at the end, if you aren't tired near the end then you really were just cruising around and not riding hard.

But seriously, find some riders whom you have ridden with and trust and stick with them. It will make your century infinitely more enjoyable. Especially if you have someone who supposedly knows the route by hand (Grumpy Pig) but seemingly get's you lost anyway.

Ian in SD

efficiency

I did it a couple of years ago and got lost.

scvroadie

I'm surprised you got lost, between the route arrows that they paint on the pavement, and the route slips they are one of the better marked rides.

herbm

Forget all that other stuff......

POPSICLES at the last rest stop!!!

Pamestique 

ONE OF MY FAVORITES... you won't regret it. I do it every year and am signed up this year as well although I'm thinking of doing just the metric this time. The key to any Century is doing your own ride despite the fact many others are also out there with you. Start out slow, warm up, watch out for all those squirrels as mentioned before especially once you hit the beach front and the trail gets really narrow. Probably the most exciting part is getting onto Highway 101 - it's always alittle scary especially when a big truck comes by and pushes you along somewhat. The next exit is Bates, watch the signs (markings on the ground), go left and remember there is a steep little hill to climb. After the sag stop (remember - get in and out, don't dalley), the climbing starts. Pretty much the entire middle of the ride is either up or down. Some good climbs as well, steep and long but all are really scenic and the route is beautiful. The last 20 miles (thankfully) is flatish and along the beach. You do get back onto Hwy 101 for the adrenaline rush.

Just enjoy the lovely weather, the food, company and the fact you picked a good first century. I will be riding with a friend who also picked this as her first.

Pamestique 

And I did not buy the jersey this year - ugly!!! WIth a coastal ride you would think they could come up with something better!

Hear that you Channel Club folks - better jersey next year!

herbm

Pam,
They have been ugly the last 2 years...and the CIBC club jerseys are really nice...so were the older CB ones....

Pamestique 

I didn't do the ride last year so didn't pay attention to the jerseys... I alway wonder about their design - since this is a "ocean" ride in this beautiful mission area, why are the jersey design so non-related to that? I woudl love something that pay homage to the popicles!!! Or the oceans views... or the climbs into the forest... that said one of my favorite jerseys was a number of years back - it's black, red and yellow with a big dragon on the front... why some chinese design? No clue...

GP

I'm getting better. I only got lost once at Mulholland and twice at BA.

And once on the way to a club ride in San Marcos.

Are you in for Cool Breeze?

Rob P.

I live in Ventura. I ride most of the roads that the route covers. The hills for the century are do-able even for a novice so long as he can do the total miles. Yes, even Casitas Pass is do-able by novices. Especially if they ride a triple.

The metric is mostly flat and is a good "starter" ride for someone who has been riding at least 40 mile rides on a regular basis. The half-metric is for total noobs on fat-tired boardwalk cycles (and kids under 10).

Traffic is usually great around here towards cyclists. There are enough of us on the roads that most drivers are aware that cyclists use the roads too.

IanInSD

Not sure yet... the distance is kinda long for me. May need to stop surfing and start riding again if I plan to attend.

herbm

I think the one 2 years ago, even had the guy on the bike without a helmet!!

GP

Oh come on. You can whip this one out in your sleep.