Wine Country Century 5/6/2006

[SadieKate]

http://www.srcc.com/

I haven't been able to ride much the last week and I'm deep in the doldrums. Haven't been doing any climbing but I've got a 7 straight days of mtbiking in the middle of April coming up.

Can the bod be ready for a double metric with only 4,500' of climbing? Oh, I'm feeling old (insomnia all night is not recommended).

V, which one are you doing?

I did the metric on the old course back in the late 80s. Be nice to see it again. Off to go count weekends.

[Veronica]

I'll do the 200 K most likely.

V.

[maillotpois]

We did the double metric last year and are doing it again this year. It is a beautiful double metric. Most of the climbing is in the first half - you do the easier side of Coleman Valley Road, which is absolutely gorgeous. The SRCC website is wrong on the elevation for the double metric, though. It was 7300 on my HAC4 which is pretty darned accurate. (It measured Death Ride at 13,000, which I think is more accurate than what they say on the website.) So there's a lot of climbing, but it is over with fairly soon.

I think the metric and century options cut out a lot of the climbing. I know they don't do Coleman. Which is a shame.

SK, I think you should try the double metric. It is just so pretty. (The rest of it is nice, too.) I know it's been tough to get on the bike as much as any of us would like in this weather. But if you pace yourself well, you should be fine.

[SadieKate]

I can't believe I'm still considering this but I really want to do a double metric this year. I have to get in metrics both of the next two weekends to hit this target and the weather and other things are not being considerate.

Don't you love it in this age of technology when they can't get the climbing right? Does the Dble Metric cross paths with the 100 somewhere (or have a figure-8 loop) so I could shorten the ride if I'm not up to it? It's a big help to have the climbing at the beginning.

Thanks, Sarah.

Sarah

[maillotpois]

You ought to just give it (the double metric) a shot.

We (DH and friends) rode the DM and DH's sister Kelly rode the regular century (I think. She may have done the single metric, but I don't think so). We started with her, and then split off in Occidental where we (DM only - not century or metric) we over Coleman Valley Rd. to the coast, up through Monte Rio. At that point, we joined up with Kelly again (century course, and were with her up through Dry Creek). I can't remember where she went at the lunch stop at Lake Sonoma, because neither DH nor I rode with her through the last part of the ride. She may have had a shorter route that didn't take her to the lake.

I think you could shorten it even after doing the whole Coleman loop. It is worth doing the Coleman loop because there's no prettier road anywhere (except descending Old Howell Mtn. Rd. in Napa).

So sign up for the DM and see how your day goes.

[SadieKate]

Thanks, knowing that there is a point I can change my mind helps.

I have to get some hills in!!! By this time last year, the girls had talked me into riding Diablo and Placerville stuff several times.

I know, I know. Hills on mtbikes don't phase me. On the road is another story. Now, I'm just working on re-writing the story so they match.

[Veronica]

You can ride with me any weekend SK.

V.

[wabisabi]

Looking at this website brought back a memory of what probably was this ride from probably the late 80s--could that be? I recall going with a friend who was a serious rider, and I had my--this is the truth--my old very non fancy "girl's" bike. I was of course younger then, so I managed the first 40 miles (up to lunch) with just sheer strength from winter tele skiing and hiking in the Sierra. I recall that it was really beautiful, especially early the morning, going past the wineries and all of the flowers.

[Bike Goddess]

If I can get the time off, I'm also thinking of doing the double metric. The guys in our club always do that route as they too say the beauty is worth the climb!

SK- if you want to get a metric in this weekend, the Benicia club is starting from the Valley Cafe in Rockville on Saturday morning at 9:00AM. They are going to do the ride to Berryessa via M Corner the reverse of how we did it last year- with an option to do Cantilew on the way back. I think the total distance is something like 60 miles. I'll email you if you want details. Should be a good ride for some not too hard climbs and some good distance.

[Sag 4 Valentine]

Bike Goddess,
Would you send me the information for the Lake Berryessa ride this weekend. I have a tight schedule on Saturday, but would like to try to squeeze this in.

[Sag 4 Valentine]

Sadie Kate,
Are you going to do the Sea Otter in April?

[SadieKate]

Sea Otter? No, I'll be in Moab and environs, Monkey Wrench Gang territory to be exact.

Thanks, Nancy. We haven't quite decided what we want to do and we don't want to end up driving both days.

[kjay]

You're all very seasoned bikers and I am not, but I do ride as much as I can and lately have been doing a lot of spinning - even two hours at a time. I generally ride for about 2 1/2 hours outside, but that's about it. I'm retired so am not a youngun' but you all motivated me and I signed up for the Wine Country 100K in April. Here's where I need some advice. I only have a hybrid (wider wheels) but am keeping my eyes peeled for a used road bike. However, if I can't find one before the ride, do you think I could ride my hybrid? I suppose it would take me longer, but would still appreciate your thoughts about this. Thank you.

[SadieKate]

Sure you can ride a hybrid. You'll just be slower and need to make sure you take care of your hands. You don't have as many postions on flat bars as drop.

Is it wider wheels (as in the rims) or wider tires? You may want to consider getting narrower and higher pressure tires so you'll have less rolling resistance but lots of people do metrics on hybrids.

Make sure you have the date right. It is May 6th, not in April.

[SadieKate]

Looking at this website brought back a memory of what probably was this ride from probably the late 80s--could that be? I recall going with a friend who was a serious rider, and I had my--this is the truth--my old very non fancy "girl's" bike.

So, come on down and reminisce!