[QUOTE=grrlyrida;6071614]Is anyone doing this century? I read the previous threads about the winter and it seems that the general consensus was that it was too cold. Would this be a good first century? I've never heard of Ocotillo. I wanted to do the Solvang Century as my first century since I was raised in the Santa Ynez Valley. But I know that area like the back of my hand. I thought I would be too bored and would end up riding home early.
The reports of the Winter Stagecoach are accurate, 06-super windy, 07-super cold. But no one has mentioned the 08 (search for the original thread leading to winter stage, it concludes with follow up posts).
I took those reports to heart and I was ready to bail until the last moment. What those who entered got for 08 were fantastic conditions of mild temps, the advertised tail wind on the return was a head wind although not too strong.
As Shnuddy and others said it is well supported, out and back, there was little to mostly no traffic, cars always passed with a wide berth, just a couple of stop signs where the route does a little (almost over supported) R then L to add an extension that eliminates a nutsy back and forth thing that riders of the century previously had to negotiate in order to total 100 miles.
Also, there are well marked bail out points along the way for 25 miles total 50 and so on. A distance for every ability.
I just got back on my bike in 06/07, this was my first official century, it was hard-no kidding, the climbs look formidable and were to these baby legs but oh the downhill. The last 25 30 miles really tested me but balance that against a saddle that wasn't working for me and cramping.
Its the desert, who knows what the day will bring, could be a howler, its spring maybe the bloom will still be going one. In any case I'll be there for the 1st annual Spring Stagecoach If your able to ride regularly your legs should be in fine shape for this event.
Palm Springs is also coming up 2/9 with intermediate distances
http://www.tourdepalmsprings.com/info.htm