somebodies

Just curious. How many folks signed up for Solvang, but are bailing due to weather?

nesdog

I'm not signed up for Solvang, but for a local Conejo Valley 35 mile fund raiser. I've been watching this storm as closely as everyone else. NWS is still calling for a major winter storm, with cold temps, snow showers, hail, the whole ball of wax. At this moment, however, in the West SF Valley, winds are blowing about 14 with cool temps and only partly cloudy skies. We had one rain shower this morning.

Current radar doesn't show any real action yet, although the forecast is that it will show up tonight. It's possible this storm might fall apart ( ot not!). I had thought we would be seeing worst conditions by now so who knows? It's definately more of a toss up.

Sheldon

gpelpel

Well, I feel for you guys. I did the ride last year, it's really good. I decided to pass on it this year but would love doing it again. For the Braves, enjoy your ride. I hope you won't get too much rain.

socalrider

I swear that Solvang is cursed.. It is such a great century and a beautiful ride but both times I've ridden it, it has rained..

Does anyone know if they still have the Wildflower century that used to start in Creston?

Glewis333

Willdflower Ride is April 29. Still starts and ends in Creston. Registration is closed, it is a very popular ride and fills up quickly. Check the SLOBC website https://www.slobc.org/Wildflower.html, people who cannot make the ride will list their ride for sale on the site. It is one of the best and most beautiful rides in CA. I'm still undecided about Solvang, will go there tomorrow, and decide after checking out the weather. I've ridden Solvang before and enjoy it. I'm ready, and just hoping it's not raining.

somebodies

Well, me and the crew I am with are gonna brave what we can, hoping forecasts don't hold up. I let you know how it went.

NuBiker

well. I was ready, with rain and everything... Prepared my car yesterday night, picked up my number. And decided to go for the half, since the weather was bad.
This morning I woke up with fever and sinus problems. Couldn't keep my head up. Decided to bail out.
See you next year, or I will do it solo when the weather is good. I will start the loop from Santa Maria and finish it there.

1955

I'm looking forward to reports on this one!

celticfrost

They may have lucked out. We had 5 minutes of rain in LA a few hours ago and it's been a mix of sun and clouds ever since. But I would like to hear a few war stories as well.

LA_Rider

My friends did the 50. Two blocks into it - huge hail storm.

1955

Same here in OC, but who knows what it'll be like 100 miles to the north.

Not to wish any bad weather on the participants, but it would make for some great stories!!!

When I did this ride 15 years ago it rained the day and night before and was picture perfect the day of the ride.

celticfrost

ha, ha, ha --- that's what I like to hear! *evil grin*


Yeah, there should be some good horror stories. Maybe some pics too!

roadfix

yeah....I want to hear more about the hail storm while climbing the wall.....

1955

I'm certainly more excited about reading horror stories about this ride than I would have been about actually riding it!

celticfrost

yep, the 100 mile rain and hail session sounds like a character building lesson that I'm glad I skipped. I'm going out for an hour spin now --- hope the rain holds off for a bit.

roadfix

Hehehe.....so am I...

nesdog

I got up this morning at 6 to check the weather. (we are about 100 miles south of solvang). It was foggy, and 37 degrees. I decided to pass on the ride I signed up for and went back to bed. An hour later it was pouring so I made the right call. Somewhat later in the morning, it was hailing, turning our backyard into a green and white maze. I considered a ride about 30 minutes ago but am opting for the trainer instead since it's only the high 40's outside. Bring on Coach Troy!

I hope everyone did okay at the Century. Really going to be some interesting stories on this one!

Sheldon

NuBiker

I live in Santa Maria and the weather is the same as Solvang, The thunder kept on going until 9:30AM with a lot of rain. Then the rain became drzizzles and it stopped afterwards, and the sun came out however the wind picked up and temperature were very low. I believe for the century the weather got better.

somebodies

The hail was some *****. But it didn't last. It hurt, but bailed out early. Actually that part was kinda fun, other the the leftover freezing extremities. Hail, some rain on mile 15- 35 0r 40? Then, awsome weather, awesome ride, an excellent first century! Highly reccommend next year, screw the forecast. Alright, my ass hurts, where's the scotch?

celticfrost

Congratulations on your 1st century. You just received some well deserved credit for sticking it out and having fun while doing it. Go w/ a cheap scotch to relieve the butt soreness. If you're gonna drink some, then get something good.

I wanted to register, but never got around to doing it, so at least I have an excuse --- unlike those who registered (and paid $$), but whimped out!!

roadfix

Glad to hear the weather improved for the rest of your ride, and congratulations! Now the wall wasn't that bad was it? Go have some Andersen's pea soup with your scotch and enjoy the rest of the evening...

jschen

Congrats, somebodies!

somebodies

THanks. I feel great! Gonna go eat lots, drink some, maybe dance a bit, and then sleep well...

MattHengst

I did the century. We had two bouts of hail but only one of them was significant and that happened right after the first rest stop.

I rode past the point where you turn for the 50 mile route and the sky got dark rather quickly. We stated seeing flashes of lighting up ahead and I asked the people around me who had a steel frame bike so I could ride at a safe distance away from them with my carbon frame. Right about then someone said “Is that hail?” and it just opened up on us. Couldn’t have lasted more than a minute or two tops but it didn’t feel to pleasant. I had my glove up trying to protect the rest of me face and just kept moving. It turned into rain pretty quick and we were riding through slush for a bit.

After that it was just rain, a bit of sleet on top of one of the hills, and some cold wind. We had another small hailstorm going through the vineyards before the last rest stop but it only lasted about 10 seconds.

It was my first time riding at Solvang and I’ll definitely remember it.

gpelpel

I heard carbon is an excellent electrical conductor...