ROJA

My buddy and I want to do our first century (longest ride so far is about 78 miles, around Tahoe). Would be willing to travel up to 4 hours or so for something good. I am not seeing anything too exciting so far. Any recs?

velogirls

Lighthouse in SLO is very easy/flat. It usually sells out early but you can always purchase a registration from someone who won't be using theirs.

caloso

Foxy's?

BlastRadius

Are you doing Lighthouse? There's a bunch of BFers going?
I _may_ have to give up my slot as a good friend of mine may be having a 40th b-day event that weekend.

spingineer

Lighthouse is great ... every time I do it, it's a party on wheels. I'm hoping to arrange a good sized group of Norcal and Socal BF'ers .... party!

ROJA

Thanks for the tips so far! I would love to buy two spots for the Lighthouse if Blast or anyone else has to sell!

spingineer

Roja,
You might want to check the Lighthouse web site. It has a page for those wanting a registration, or selling a registration. Just keep checking there for anyone selling. Usually, you'll get a lot of people selling 1 week before the ride.

rydaddy

I 2nd Foxy's.

Red Rider

I 3rd Foxy's -- have done it once on a half-bike and once on a tandem -- it's a fun ride with lots of visual and topographical interest, and better-than-average support.

Rushfan

Foxy's is my club's ride. About 4,000' of climbing, runs from Davis west to Vacaville, Fairfield, and around the mountain past Lake Berryessa. Nothing really over 5-7%, so if you & your buddy were able to ride around Tahoe, Foxy's is very doable, especially with two months to train.

Decent food, great support.

https://www.davisbikeclub.org/foxys/2008/index.htm

A friend spoke highly of this ride, the Konocti Challenge, which goes around Clear Lake. I've never done it so maybe someone on the forum can speak up. 6200' of climbing for the full century but the metric is much more doable.

https://www.konoctichallenge.com/

jinws

an easy century sounds good, seeing how it'd be my first century.

Gee3

Is there such a thing as an "easy" century!?!??!?!

I must be a wussie then... or maybe it's because I did my first and only century in [much flatter] Texas, the Hotter Than Hell 100! hahaha! And believe me, 116 degrees was hotter 'n hell!!!

Ty.S

I second that Gary.. nothing is hot like Texas heat. I don't miss it one bit.

Watch craigslist for lighthouse entries also. I've seen a few on there.. just like the deathride. I know its kind of gamble to make the plans for something that isn't a certainty. But if the lighthouse is anything like what I've heard, it would be well worth the risk.

Rollfast

If it were EASY it wouldn't be 100 miles!

redspoke

Hogwash! 100 miles is easy for anyone!

Strike that! There's one exception: You forget to butt'r your chamoix beforehand...

bigbossman 

Mhendricks and I teamed up last year to ride the Konocti Challenge - a metric century up around Clear Lake, CA. When I say "around", that's exactly what it was.... a ride around the lake.

Now, for some reason I got it into my head that this would be a milk run... a nice easy Saturday ride. I should have paid more attention to the "challenge" part of the ride title. Turns out, the ride was very, very easy........ for the first 35 miles or so.

We started off in the town of Lakeport, and headed clockwise. It was bitter cold out early on - about 35-39 degrees or so, and we were mostly in the shade. After about 20 or so miles the sun came up enough to take the edge off the chill, and at around 27 miles or so we hit the first serious climb of the day. So, off came the jackets for the remainder of the ride.

After transiting the miserable, ugly little town of Clear Lake, we stopped at about mile 36 for refreshment at the second rest stop. Then, it got pretty ugly. Making our way around the south side of the lake, it seemed that for the last 30 miles we were endlessly going up/down gigantic 8-10% rollers. That sure got tiresome after a while!

Actually, it wasn't as bad as it seemed, but since I was mentally set on an easy ride I suffered a bit while coming to grips with reality. Mike graciously put up with my whining, and it was over soon enough. The BBQ at the end was to die for, and soon the pain and suffering of the afternoon was washed away in a tidal wave of tri-tip and ice cream sandwiches. Mmmm...mmmmmmmm.

A few pics:

The Garmin trace - take a look at miles 37 through 55 :


Late sunrise over the lake, about 15 miles in:


Vineyards, at about 40 miles:


Looking down at the lake, about 45 miles in:


Chasing mike through the rollers, about 15 miles from the finish:

BenRidin

Wow! There are a lot of great centuries during Sept and Oct.

In addition to the above mentioned rides, consider doing one for a cause!
On September 27th, is the Wine Country Ride to Defeat ALS. Fantastic ride, great support and it goes to a great cause. Why would anyone ride anyplace else, when you can do this ride??

If that doesn't float your boat and you want to do something more strenuous, The Auburn Century is about as hard as they come. This is on Sept 20th and there are a lot of option on this ride.

Also, click here for a list of other rides that you may fine. Good luck.

BR

Goatbiker

Don't let Rushfan freak you out. Foxy's statute has 4,000 feet of climbing, but the metric has about 50 feet.
It is a great first century (the metric) for someone who wants an easy, well supported, scenic, first shot at short distance. Good food on the ride, good food after the ride, and 1,200 really great friends riding with you.

Foxy's is my favorite fun day of riding.

Rushfan

Yeah, the metric crosses an overpass and a little hill to Lake Solano.

If you can ride around Tahoe, there's no reason you can't do the full Foxy's.

Gee3

When does registration typically open up for Foxy's and how much is it?

Thanks!
Gary

bcbeck

I've had my eye on Foxy's for a while as a first century. Looks like fun. Now if only I can get rid of this achy knee.

uspspro

Not if your are trying to hold the wheel of the M+R tandem

Goatbiker

TWO overpasses (for the metric) thank you.

Foxy's will run October 18th this year. Registration will open in late August or early September. You have to keep checking the Davis Bike Club website to find out when. It fills fast. Very fast.

The metric route runs 20 miles from Davis to Elmira, 20 miles to Lake Solano, 22 miles back to Davis (mileages are approximate. Your mileage may vary).

Did I mention that the food is excellent, and why else do we ride?

https://www.davisbikeclub.org/foxys/2008/index.htm

Alamere

I have heard that the Davis area can have a lot of wind. Is that typically an issue for Foxys? Does it make the event harder than the stats indicate?

SadieKate

The first 20 out to Vacaville and the last 20 back from Winters are the flat section and can be windy, with the afternoons being the worst. Typically, you can pick up pacelines.

Foxy's is an excellent first century choice. Enough hills to make it interesting but not killer.