Cool Breeze Century complete!

[bikerchick68]

Hi all... well, I completed my 5th century of the year on Saturday... the Cool Breeze in Ventura, CA. It was a PERFECT day for riding... slightly overcast and cool...

the century had about 3200 ft of climbing...as far as I could tell ALL in the first 40 miles!! Once ya get thru the climbing there were some fantastic views of the ocean and the USS Ronald Reagan out in the distance... I got some fantastic pics which I will post a bit later. Anyway, for me it was an uneventful ride... I was riding with a newer person who had a gazillion mechanicals followed by a crash when an unleashed dog came at her... followed by a broken seat post which resulted in her sagging in at mile 58 or so... she ended up at the ER and now on crutches!

Caligurl did the DOUBLE METRIC WITH 7300 FT CLIMBING!!! the woman is a billy goat in the mountains I tell ya! Super strong climber... I saw her at the end and it didn't even look like she'd ridden 124 miles! I, on the other hand, looked as tho someone beat me! Hair sticking out every which way, covered in sweat and salt... and really happy to see the dinner they put out!

Overall a great ride... my next century is 9/24! Lighthouse Century in San Luis Obispo!

I'll add the pics in a few hours...

[tricat]

Hey Bikerchick68,

Wow, I`m so impressed! You must of felt great seeing that finish line. Glad the weather was a little cool, would of been tough if you had the hot humid weather.

Job well done!

[Trekhawk]

[QUOTE bikerchick68] I, on the other hand, looked as tho someone beat me! Hair sticking out every which way, covered in sweat and salt... and really happy to see the dinner they put out!

Congratulations on the ride, I laughed when I read the part about how you looked at the end - I look like that after every ride and I dont ride anywhere near that distance yet.

Great riding.

[Trek420]

congrats on the ride bikerchick. I hope your friend is ok and that somone sees to educating the owner of that unleashed dog. It's not only dangerous for cyclists and peds, but neglectful of the dog. Anyway I'm so impressed that after her crash she got back on the bike to have yet further mechanicals!

My hat's off to her. But most important is she ok?

[bikerchick68]

thanks all! trek420... I talked to her finally again this AM... she's on crutches and will be seeing a specialist... nothing broken but a bad sprain... she's hoping for a 1 week recovery...we'll see...

here are some pics of the ride... the guy in the Solvang jersey next to me is my bro who has lost 216 lbs cycling now!!!

[bikerchick68]

one of the roads... this was a pretty ride!

[bikerchick68]

some Bouganvilla at the top of the climb...

[bcipam]

Bikerchic:

I was there on Saturday as well. One of my favorite rides - I loved the new start and some of the alternative routing. But I'm so bummed, although I brought my camera I took no pictures. Just didn't have time. Spent all my time chasing after my buddy's rear view!! He's just a good friend but definitely fills out those bike shorts in a good way.

Anyway was a great day. Just loved the cool air in the morning and the scenary can't be beat. If you all are looking for a Century to try I would recommend this one. Not the easiest out there but one of the prettiest. Always something to look at while climbing! And climbing there is!

PS: to add to your friends story - we were standing around waiting for everyone to come in. My buddy shouted "there's..." and then took off running. He saw her turn the corner at the finish, see another friend, wave and hit a car trying to exit. I turned in time to see the rear of her bike up in the air and poof, she went down. Thankfully she is OK but the car, well, that was a costly ride - she'll have to pay for the damage.

[Rakekay]

Wow, five centuries already this year. I'm impressed. I'm new to biking and currently training for my first century (the Sea Gull Century in Maryland in October). Anyone else doing that one? Any advice for us century newbies?

[caligurl]

GREAT PICS, bc!!!!!! i was so mad at hubby... he had his little camera (bought JUST for taking on the bike!) and didn't take ANY pics along the way! MEN! he said i could carry it next time.. (that's all fine and dandy.. but he's coordinated enuf to take them on the bike while riding... i, on the other hand.. would have to stop... but i DEFINITELY woulda gotten several of the USS ronald reagan!)

i really liked this ride.. i was disappointed in that i thought there would be more coastal riding (like in the grand tour double metric).. but this one was gorgeous in it's own way.. hmmmm so the century's climbing was all in the first 40 miles? not ours some sadist put a... what i was told is a 9% grade.. felt a LOT steeper than that... at the 100 miles mark! EGADS!

it's definitely on the list of "to do" rides for next year!

p.s. i looked fresh and clean cuz i was on my way back from the showers when i saw you and RSjr! i wish EVERY ride had showers.. made the ride home much nicer....

[Bike Goddess]

Thanks for the pics- amazing what we all see on our rides and don't always take a moment to share with others! Loved the flowers and sculpture and views.

Congrats to both of you. Caligirl- 9% at the end? Killer to say the least! Double metric too. Done a couple of those, but not the kind of climbing you did. That's on my list- maybe next year I'll try one up here.

Sorry about your friend, glad she doesn't have anything broken. Sprains can be pretty painful and may take longer than a week to heal. Not fun. What were the mechanicals that she had and could they have been avoided????

[bikerchick68]

bcipam! Hey are you riding Lighthouse Century too? My bro and I are signed up for that one as well... 9/24 in San Luis Obispo... let me know! If so we'll have to meet and say hi Yikes on your friends accident... glad she is OK at least...

Corsair... heck no! No pics of me looking like that! I usually look pretty messed up at the end of these things... still smiling but definitely have "Hair by Helmet"...LOL

Rakekay... just put miles in your legs, be sure to hydrate the 2 days PRIOR to the ride (water, lots of water!) and be SURE the day of the ride you fuel well!! I stop at every rest stop and eat something little just o have some carbs on board... even if it's just a piece of banana and a fig newton or two... fueling correctly is half the battle! Looking forward to hearing all about your 1st! Be sure to post... it's a big deal...

cali- LOL... good to see SLIN back riding well and all recovered! I can take some while riding but didn't get any of the ocean shots as I joined a paceline and we were doing about 23mph thru the flats there close to the end... wecould all hear dinner calling us!! They had showers??? Whew! I was floored at how fresh you looked... now at least I know why I heard all about that climb at mile 100... a bunch of the guys said it dang near ripped their legs off!!!

Bike Goddess... yeah the first mechanical was a blown tire... should've been checked prior to the ride but she is pretty new (less than a year riding) and still learning. We had to sit at the first sag for an hour waiting for her DH to bring a tire as she rides 650cc... she won't make that mistake again tho! The crash was outta her hands... happened in a wet area and the dog ran straight at her... she swerved to try to avoid the crash but due to slick conditions went down... hard. I think her seatpost must've cracked then... amazing she finished the climb and downhill without getting hurt more... it sheared completely off at mile 58 RIGHT next to a SAG vehicle!

glad you all enjoyed the pics... it was a lovely ride!

[MM_QFC!]

Wow, five centuries already this year. I'm impressed. I'm new to biking and currently training for my first century (the Sea Gull Century in Maryland in October). Anyone else doing that one? Any advice for us century newbies?

I think I remember someone else on this board training to do the SeaGull...check out the Team in Training posts, as I responded to her there, I think.
At any rate, if you're training for it, just train for the distance; no need to train for any hills as it's flat, flat, flat. There was rain and wind when I rode it a couple of years ago and it's very popular, so hone your group riding skills (in other words, ride predictably and safely, using voice and hand signals and hope that others do too!) and enjoy the ride, rest stops and entire experience!

[bcipam]

No not doing Lighthouse this year - sortof been there done that (rode it the last 4 years). This year am going to Interbike In Las Vegas Sept. 28 - 30 so saving my pennies for that. Have fun on the ride, it's usually beautiful and if any of you out there want coastal views this is your ride. Miles and miles along the beautiful central CA coast. Although honestly the distance out to the Lighthouse (and past) although scenic is tough, major headwinds!!!! Make sure ride with someone to draft.

If looking for another interesting Century to do this year consider the SPOOKTACULAR out of Bakersfield (see kernwheelmen.org). Great ride. No traffic (or a traffic light that I could recall). Lots of climbing (opt for the 90 vs the 2 100+ rides).