2011 Solvang Century

Happy New Year! I'm going to attempt the Solvang Century this year (March 12) with some friends who will be riding DFs. Anyone out there going to be doing this ride on a bent? I'm going to be riding my RANS V2 26. My longest ride so far has been 72 miles, so it's going to be interesting to see how well I do.

One of my friends with whom I've ridden some and got me started riding longer distances thinks I'll do fine. He's seen me on my JetStream do the Tour De Sewer a couple of times and he said that if I can do Turnbull Canyon Road, then the last part of the Solvang Century shouldn't be a big deal. It's several miles of constant climb.

Hope to hear from some fellow bent riders who will be there and perhaps have ridden it before? I'll take all the advice I can get.

Most of my riding until I do the century will be in hilly areas close by, there are several areas where I ride that a fairly hilly, plus I'll try to do Turnbull several times (it has the longest grade of the locals I ride).

Curtis

 

That is the most fantastic news I've heard. I think the P-38 would do that
century before dark even riding it with 1 and 1/2 legs (bad knee).

That is the best of Ca, my opinion. You are SO lucky to have that chance.

I'd make at least two days of it. One day would include going from bakery to
bakery and testing Danish pastries and all that good coffee. Makes me want
to do it so bad.

Mary says definitely not!

You lucky dog.

 

Solvang Century Route



[FONT=Arial, Helvetica][SIZE=+3]Solvang
Century &
Half-Century [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica][SIZE=+1]March 12, 2011[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica][SIZE=+1]Solvang Century Route[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Solvang Century Route Map[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Solvang Century Climb[/FONT]

 

That route profile doesn't look too intimidating. Work, yes; but not scary-hard or anything.

 

I agree there. Especially considering I had a route from my house in Knoxville that had over 1,000 ft. of climbing in 10 miles. It crossed a ridge line 4 times. Granted I laid the route out for the specific purpose of improving my lamentable climbing ability.

 

Solvang Century

Uh, excuse me, are we all looking at the same elevation profile? 250 ft. in 1/4 mile, 650 ft. in a mile, 1100 ft. in 2 miles (the Creeper is 1800 feet but it takes 15 miles to get there)? 5000 ft. in the entire century? I think I'll wimp out with the Sunrise Century where there ain't no climbing.

 

For the me my most difficult ride has been a 20 mile ride around Big Bear Lake, and it wasn't the elevation gains as much as the elevation (starting at 6000 ft agl) without acclimation.

I've ridden the Tour de Sewer twice which for me has been 70+ miles and I believe it's about a 2000 ft elevation gain. Looking forward to a new Challenge. Just hope I can do the ride without having to push. I know the countryside around Solvang and the basic area of the route, and as Buddy has said, it's gorgeous, especially this time of the year. The rolling hills will still be lush and green!

Hopefully will see some other bent riders there!

Curtis

 

Looks like fun Curtis, wish I could make it. Hill repeats, or a ride that hits multiple short steep grades will get your fitness up. As far as the big climb, just don't burn your legs up before you get there, find a comfortable pace and there shoulnd't be any problem. I'm betting that you have some low gearing on that bike, I would want a 26 or better granny on the front.

 

Loved the ride around Big Bear Lake,( well half way) came up from Lucern Val..won't do that again. And rode down to the (forgot? Redlands maybe?) in that general direction anyway. Was hed'n to Winchester near Hemet. That was scarier than the coming up. Not as much work but the traffic going that way was really skeery....