The Lighthouse Century...

[bikerchick68]

Hiya all! OK- so Sat I rode the Lighthouse Century. This was a VERY well organized ride... there are other local organizers who should take some lessons from the San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club!!! I can't say enough about the set-up, the route, the SAG support, and the well run rest stops with the most cheerful people working them... it made the day an even greater pleasure... anyway, thought I'd take ya along for the ride...

this would be a GREAT beginner century as it's only got 2000ft climbing... pretty darn flat!

Here's the sunset the night before

[bikerchick68]

the coastline near Cambria

[bikerchick68]

a red tailed hawk... there were about 50 of them circling one of the plains at one point... amazing to see...

[bikerchick68]

Piedras Blancas "white rocks"

[bikerchick68]

the Lighthouse the ride is named for

[bikerchick68]

Cappucino Cove at the 58 mile sag... manned by dancing pirates and rock and roll... they had celery with peanut butter... I could've cried I was so happy...

[bikerchick68]

Pirates Up!

[bikerchick68]

elephant seals basking in the beautiful sunshiney day

[bikerchick68]

Zebras at Hearst Castle...

[bikerchick68]

I LOOOOVE downhill!!!! (notice the big grin? )

[natheless]

Oh, that looks marvelous!!

[Trekhawk]

Hey bikerchick68 - great photos. Does this ride fill up quick?
Looks like a good one to mark the calendar for next year. Im assuming its down San Diego way (sorry for being an ignorant Aussie)?

Im hoping to do my first century next year but around Feb - May. Maybe I will be able to do a few next year. I was really interested in the Death Valley century ride but it is full already (bummer).

If you have any other good rides to recommend between Feb-May of next year that would be great. I have left my window pretty big timing wise for my first century as my husband goes away alot and this will be another consideration when choosing my first century - that and well making sure its not too hard a ride.

[bikerchick68]

trekhawk... in February there is the Tour de Palm Springs... another GREAT beginner ride! The first 50 miles has some rollers and the last 50 is flat... table top, pancake, like a board flat!!! Also well run, and well marked. TdePS was my first century this Feb and it was a perfect starter ride!

here's a link with the whole list so you can choose... I've done 6 this year (so far ) so if ya see one ask and if I know anything about it I'll fill ya in!

http://bbcnet.com/RideCalendar/RideListDate.asp

as to Lighthouse... yeah, since it is such a well done ride it fills quickly. I signed up 3 months ago for it... it's actually 6 hours north of San Diego by Hearst Castle and the Madonna Inn...

[Rakekay]

this would be a GREAT beginner century as it's only got 2000ft climbing... pretty darn flat!

Was that a typo or you actually consider 2000 feet of climbing to be flat??? You clearly have a different definition of "beginner" than I do. ;-)

[SadieKate]

If you have any other good rides to recommend between Feb-May of next year that would be great.

Check out Jo's adventures at Bike Around the Buttes. Also, consider the Mildflower (Flatflower?) by Chico Velo, same day as their Wildflower Century.

Rakekay - actually 2,000 ft of climbing can be "refreshing" during a century. Having done the Delta Century out of Stockton which has maybe 10 ft of climbing, I can vouch for the necessity some gradient changes. You end up using the same muscles and the same gears and just grinding away with no variety or relief. If you think you have crotch problems now, try 100 flat miles. Ask yellow and BikerZ what it is like to sit just 40-some miles with no hills. 2,000 sounds like a great first time century.

BikerChick - you're giving Jobob and Veronica stiff competition for the best photojournalism award. Nice!