icyclist 

My report of my century ride is here:

https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/535633-wildflower-one-hundred-report-w-pics.html

Rick@OCRR

I've ridden Wildflower several times, excellent event with great food. This year (and maybe others) it was on the same day as the Alpine Challenge (Alpine, CA), so I rode Alpine instead.

Just a bit more climbing (7,210 is what my computer says), but fewer miles (72), while still being an excellent ride. Food at the checkpoints, not so special. Food at the finish, wonderful!

So yes, they're both great events . . . just a shame they schedule them for the same day!

Rick / OCRR

cccorlew

Wow. That's a heck of a ride report. And a bunch of good photos too!
I skipped the Wildflower this year and did a local Century (the Diablo Century in Walnut Creek) so it was nice you did such a complete job reporting!

I'm impressed you can remember so much. Every century i do become kind of a blur. And you took so many photos that are worth looking at. Good edit job! I find I'm too lazy to shoot that much. I'm either working hard and don't want to, or going to fast to think it's smart. That, and the fact I have a tough time with the camera when I wear my glove liners, so I don't shoot until I get warm.

Anyway, great job! Thanks!

icyclist 

>I find I'm too lazy to shoot that much. I'm either working hard and don't want to, or going to fast to think it's smart.<

My problems, too. Having the camera looped around my neck helped, as well as knowing in advance I wanted to post a report. Generally, I either like to ride or to make photographs, not both.

https://www.pbase.com/davewyman

Red Rider

Your report is so vivid (as are the pictures) I felt as though we were there, too. We last rode this the year it rained -- '07, I think -- we passed people on the way up Honey Run and heard "Tandems aren't supposed to pass uphill!" We really enjoyed this century and hope to do it again. This report is very inspiring.

Mojo Slim

I, too, have done this ridem but not since '05. Everytime we would start up a hill, it would start raining. But I had a great time. Thanks for the great report and pictures. I carry my camera around my neck, too. It's the only way to get any pictures. Here's one picture from that year, climbing up Honey Run.

cccorlew

So, you neck strap folks, doesn't your camera fling about a bunch? I carry mine in my jersey pocket, pull it out when I need it and try to get the strap on my wrist. This is not ideal. I know I'll drop it someday, and if I need to brake with the wrist strap the camera dangles awkwardly.

tony2v

I've done the other Wildflower Century out of Creston, CA ... north of San Luis Obispo several times. I signed up this year, but had to pass to go to my sister's college graduation.
What a strange schedule two Wildflower rides on consecutive days, SLOBC Wildflower on Apr 25th then Chico's Wildflower on Apr 26th. I've had friends accidently sign up for the "wrong" Wildflower. It's a lot further from San Diego!

icyclist 

>So, you neck strap folks, doesn't your camera fling about a bunch?<

Good question. And making photographs, with or without a strap, is not the safest endeavor to attempt on a bike ride. To minimize the danger of fumbling the camera, I usually employ a strap that actually goes over my shoulder, and it's long enough to let me put my camera in a jersey pocket. This time the strap only went around my neck, but it was still long enough to reach the back of my jersey. No flinging about, and I knew if I dropped the camera, I could always reel it back.

icyclist 

>What a strange schedule two Wildflower rides on consecutive days, SLOBC Wildflower on Apr 25th then Chico's Wildflower on Apr 26th. I've had friends accidently sign up for the "wrong" Wildflower. It's a lot further from San Diego!<

In 2003, my friend and I completed both centuries - I wore the Chico version on Saturday and the SLO jersey on Sunday, which sowed a lot of confusion for those riders who happened to notice the mismatch. Frankly, the drive between the two rides, 369 miles, was the most difficult part of the entire enterprise, which we dubbed the "Wildflower Double Century."

A ride report, if interested, is here:

https://www.davewyman.net/wildflowerdoublecentury.htm

icyclist 

I like that photo!

Pamestique 

I've never done the Chico Wildflower although I've done the Creston Wildflower (out of Paso Robles) probably 20 times. Someday I hope to try the Chico one, I've heard it is beautiful but the Creston Wildflower is incredibly beautiful too and just always seems like the perfect ride (plus much closer to home). The SLOBC club does a good job.

icyclist 

>the Creston Wildflower is incredibly beautiful too<

It's one of my all-time favorite rides, too.

Mojo Slim

Thanks. I got a million of 'em.

And on the neck strap. I haven't found it to be too annoying to have my small camera around my neck. I will sometimes take it off if I know there will be some fast-paced action, but then, I'm seldom fast-paced. I will sometimes drop it down inside my jersey for short periods of time, but the strap can get tangled with my Road I.D. dog tag.

Mojo Slim

And I thought of a tip late last night. The little loop on your pocket camera that holds the wrist strap may not be tough enough for a neck strap. I have broken two of those little things. I have put a screw into where the tripod would go, then attached a neck strap. I have had no problems.