knowledgdropper

Anyone doing any of the rides, or checking out the Bikefest area? A buddy & I are in for the century. Hope to see some local BFers there.

Tour of Long Beach

Mayday.JP

I was going to do the 60 mile distance but then we decided to go out of town that weekend for our anniversary/testing for fire department so I won't be doing it. I did the Long beach TDC yesterday and it was awesome. I would have loved to do it but maybe next year!

StephenT 

I will be there doing the 31 mile route with my 11 yr old son. It will be his first real cycling event.

TrojanHorse

Love it.

sautan

sounds fun. i am complete newbie and never participated any kind of riding event. is this more of the fun ride & relax ride of thing or race? I think i can complete the 62 miles but not at racing pace.

knowledgdropper

Definitely not a race. I'm sure there will be a good number of non-roadies out on the course, so everyone should be able to find their own pace.

StephenT 

Definitely not a race. Its a fun event and all ages and types participate. No prizes, no timing. Just go ride.

Beachgrad05

I am on the fence. I did it last year (31 mile) and I enjoyed it tho a bit crowded at times with inexperienced riders and I saw a few downed riders as a result. The 61 mile route last year was just a 2nd loop of the 31 mile unsure if that is the same as this year. One loop was enough for me. Besides...if I do it again...tho I "CAN" do the longer routes...doing the 31 allows for more time at the BEER GARDEN at the festival.

knowledgdropper

You've no idea how many times I made this exact argument to my buddy- we've done centuries before, but he's bound and determined to do an organized century.

Beachgrad- CSULB '98 here. Go Beach!

snidely

I'm in for the 62.

knowledgdropper

Had a great time (100)- got separated from my buddies when nearly everyone of front of me stopped to dismount at the end of the dirt road- never saw them again. Worked with lots of riders over the the course & met plenty of nice folks. One group I was in missed a turn and added about 10 miles & 40 min to our ride, noodling around, trying to get back on course. The first truly warm day of the season took more out of me than I thought it would. Overall good times.

Strava page, if you're interested.

Had a blast with my wife & buddies at the beer garden afterwards. Sorry, no pics, as I'm usually not the "photo guy" of the group. Can't wait for next year.

Anyone else?

snidely

Awesome time doing my first organized ride (metric). No problems. Helped a guy change a flat that had no spare tube or pump, and no knowledge how to change a tube. Gave him my only spare, changed it for him, and gained some good karma points! All in all a fantastic day, with a big family lunch afterwards.

Learned some good lessons that will translate well for my first century coming up in November. Definite big thanks to all the folks here that provide quality information. That was a big help to me!

StephenT 

Had a great time riding with my son. We finished the ride in 2:38. Not bad for an 11 year old on a MTB. He was so stoked that Im now looking for a used road bike. I gave him my old Garmin 305 computer since I just bought a Garmin 800. He now has his own Strava page as well.

TrojanHorse

I just did that with my son - he's 10 and rode the 25 mile route of the Tour de Palm Springs with my wife and was itching for more. Keep your eyes on CL for small Fuji bikes, you can get 'em down to 44 cm. Some of the women's bikes aren't that girly fortunately. He's about 4'9 or 4'10 or so and a 44 is even a little bit big for him.