Sierra Century

[Deanna]

I am considering doing the Sierra Century (the 104 mile route) this year. Has anybody else here done this ride? What did you think of it? Any specific thoughts on the Slug Gulch portion (was it worth the torture or would you recommend the bail out?). This is a little early, but I need to start training in order to do a century with this amount of climbing.

Thanks.

[aka_kim]

The Sierra Century is my favorite ride. I've done the 100k or my own 80 mile route many times, and the 100 mile route the last two years. Unfortunately, I've bailed on Slug Gulch both times. Everyone tells me Slug is doable, but at about mile 80 on an already hard ride it just seems like too much. Maybe this year... Yellow has done Slug Gulch so may be able to help you there.

Back to the rest of the ride. Gorgeous scenery, great food, the weather always seems to be good. My rating: 5 chain rings!

[yellow]

Slug Gulch is a toughie, for sure, but I recommend coming up and riding it before you make any decisions about it. I have stopped mid climb (on a flattish part, which means that yes, such parts exist) during very hot weather, but I always make it. There are two really tough sections and a few other not so tough sections. But when you get to the "top" after the big switchbacks, it's really nice rollers up to Omo Ranch. It's really beautiful.

Of course I'm biased because it's my normal riding territory. I'll probably work at it this year and do America's Most Beautiful century the next day. In this part o'the world, you gets lots of climbing in less mileage. What a bonus!

My offer to lead a ride a bit later in the season (late April, or in May?) still stands. I propose this route:

http://www.beautifulvista.com/Bike_Rides/slug_gulch_hwy_88_shake_ridge_loop.htm

The worst part is the 3 mile stretch along SR 88 (see description at mile 18.3). But it's only 3 miles and after that it's really nice riding on Shake Ridge and Fiddletown Roads.

Or I could make us all really miserable and go up Snow's Road (no profile, sorry, but trust me on its nastiness).

y

[aka_kim]

I'm interested in this ride, Yellow. Since I'm slower than you I'd need some fellow slowpokes to come along to keep me company :)... and I promise not to bring my "driver."

[SadieKate]

Kim, I'd ride with you but I'm doing the Little Red Riding Hood in SLC that day. Maybe I'll put it on my list for next year.

Yellow, that profile is not pretty, not matter what they do to dress it up.

[Deanna]

Hello Yellow,

Thank you for the information on the century. I'd like to do your ride, but as I'm in the Bay Area it would be a weekend trip. Please keep me posted and I may be able to get over there.

[SadieKate]

I'm interested in this ride, Yellow. Since I'm slower than you I'd need some fellow slowpokes to come along to keep me company :)... and I promise not to bring my "driver."

Poor driver! He had a hard day. He got gold stars for perseverance!

Yellow, I replied earlier to the Sierra Century date, but other rides are always welcome. We'll just let you know based on our calendar.

Do we get any Slug Gulch Red (http://www.oakstone-winery.com/sluggulchred.htm) if we ride it? :D

SK

[yellow]

But of course! Oakstone (which is at the top of the first little nasty hill) is one of those wineries we can ride to since its access roads are all paved. However, I think on the day we do the ride we should ride first, then drink. Unless Kim wants to carry the wine. We don't have a firm date...I was just proposing it for some time in May. Since it looks like I may be going to do the June Cherohala century in TN instead of the other 3-state one in May, I'll have more availability. Preference for May dates?

Kim: More power to your driver. I know that someday, when I try to start running again, I will feel and perform in a similar manner. At least he was OUT THERE and not parked in front of the TV.

y

[Veronica]

And I remember when your "driver" was hobbling about with a cane. Has he been back on the bike?

V.

[aka_kim]

May dates? I'm probably doing the Wine Country and Lodi rides (5/7 and 5/21) but other May weekends are free. April the weekend before Top Hat is good too.

I'll carry the Red Bull, and save the wine for post-ride.

My driver has spent the past 2 years parked on the couch. He plans to do Pardee and Tierra Bella, though, so is getting back into riding. But, no, he hasn't been on the bike since Berryessa.

[yellow]

OK, so who will be there? You going to be able to make it Kim?

Brian and I and most of the Hangtown Velo group will be there (in our new Hangtown Velo jerseys!). We'll probably start early in the event I feel particularly strong and get egged into doing the double metric. The pressure is already on.

After my ride on Monday, though, I'm thinking just the 100 will be fine, fine, fine.

[aka_kim]

The Pilot and I will be there. We're registering Friday afternoon, and will probably start by 7 on Saturday. Maybe we'll see some of those Hangtown Velo jerseys as they zip by!

[yellow]

The "start" window is pretty short...only 2 hours. We intend to start around 6, but since history has a way of repeating itself, I expect we'll start more towards 7. I'll look for ya (and the Pilot).

[SadieKate]

Any reports? Were the wildflowers still bursting with glory? Kim, what about the back?

[aka_kim]

Welcome back, SK. I want to hear (um, read) about Little Red Riding Hood.

The wildflowers were still bursting, the hills were still quite green, it was gorgeous, as usual. I did the century with the "Slug Gulch bypass option" yet again; so I'll be whining about this again next year too. My back felt pretty good, but I just wasn't up to the climb up Slug Gulch - the bypass alone was killing me. All in all, a very good ride. Five chainrings from me. Sorry, no pictures.

I believe Yellow (aka The Animal!) did the double metric, which I think has something like 10 or 12k feet of climbing. What can we find that will *really* challenge her? Ah, the Terrible Two is coming up...

[yellow]

Oh pshaw...it was challenge enough, to the point where I'm thinking of adopting SK & Bubba's "a metric is enough" outlook. I did the double metric but was in sorry shape for that last 20 miles. Luckily I found other equally-suffering riders to hang with. I met so many great people on this ride, moreso than on others, perhaps because we were all riding soooo slow for that last bit. I think it was about 10k of climbing total. You'll be happy to know that Slug Gulch kicked my butt. I had to stop halfway up and shed my jersey.

I rode for a time with the "Senior" Mt Diablo Cyclists (that is, quite a bit older than me!), until of course they smoked me. I also rode for a very short time with a gal from CO for whom Slug Gulch and the "Challenge" were nothin'.

The law enforcement presence was great, the food was good, and the weather was nearly perfect (except for the very last climb on the double...it was freakin' hot and we had to listen to a couple bickering as they rode...sheesh).

I, too, give it 5 chainrings.

My back and hips feel almost normal again today. :)

[Deanna]

This was my first solo century (previously I've done them on a tandem) and it was wonderful. I dare to be a turncoat and say it was better than my local clubs century. I did Slug Gulch and at the top the skies were clear for an awesome view in all directions. The kids with hoses on the first part of the climb were a great help!

[Veronica]

Yay Deanna! I bet you and Doug just smoke on a tandem!

Kim I'm glad the back held up.

Yellow - did you have any pork? :p

V.

[aka_kim]

You'll be happy to know that Slug Gulch kicked my butt.Nope, why would we be happy about that? The fact that you could do Slug Gulch, then still have enough left for several K more feet of climbing is pretty impressive.

What is with all these "old" (um, age-challenged maybe?) guys who don't really look in shape, but smoke on these climbs, often with only double chainrings?? Whatever it is they're on (I know, their bikes), I want too.

Deanna, which century does you club do?

[snapdragen]

Perhaps yellow should do the Furnace Creek 508. I'll drive the crew car! :D :D

[Deanna]

What is with all these "old" (um, age-challenged maybe?) guys who don't really look in shape, but smoke on these climbs, often with only double chainrings?? Whatever it is they're on (I know, their bikes), I want too.

Deanna, which century does you club do?


I hear you on those older guys. I also don't get the insistence on using a double when there are triples available. I call my third ring my "knee saver". I've seen some older riders with bad looking knees and I don't know how many surgeries I've heard about.

My club puts on the Wine Country Century.

[yellow]

Yellow - did you have any pork? :p

My meat eating is strictly chicken and fish so no pork for me :rolleyes: .

I do have to amend my earlier post and drop it to 4.75 chainrings. The line for food after the ride was so long we left and got food elsewhere. I was mighty, mighty hungry and couldn't wait 45 minutes to eat.

Deanna: did you get a nice mid-Slug Gulch shower from the kid with the garden hose? That was really, really nice! He had snaked it all the way across his yard into the road.

[SadieKate]

The line for food after the ride was so long we left and got food elsewhere. I was mighty, mighty hungry and couldn't wait 45 minutes to eat.
How's the upholstery in your car? :p

[Deanna]

Yay Deanna! I bet you and Doug just smoke on a tandem!

V.

We would smoke if I didn't make him slow down so much on the downhills--he's a speed demon. I have to sit up and be a wind-block.

Yellow--not only did I get the kid part way up (he also had a water dispensor when I went by), there were also two girls a little further up. They were great about yelling out encouragement and telling us how much further we had to go.

[Veronica]

I have to sit up and be a wind-block.



Sometimes I'll do a Meg Ryan impression from City of Angels back there. Thom's eyes are open so we avoid trucks.
:)

I think it was descending fast on the tandem that made me really enjoy descents. I know Thom doesn't have a death wish and he's not a very reckless person in general so when that finally REALLY hit home (on a Diablo descent), I started asking him to lay off the brakes. I suppose not having had any accidents (yet - fingers crossed) also helps.

V.