The Lighthouse Century...

[Veronica]

I was really interested in the Death Valley century ride but it is full already (bummer).

We love Death Valley.


But the century is not so much fun. We've done it twice. I was looking for our write up on the second one, but it doesn't seem to be on our website. But there is a thread about our experience here on TE. Death Valley

V.

[bcipam]

The Lighthouse Century is actually in Central California - quite a ways up from San Diego. Starting point is San Luis Obispo. You travel up north past Santa Maria, Cambria and just South of Big Sur. Very scenic ride. There are actually two centuries offered - a flat, coastline century and the "hilly" century. The Hilly goes inland just before Cambria towards Paso Robles.

The Flat isn't all that easy. For the last 10 miles before the turn around, there is usually a ferocious headwind. I mean tough going. But then the turn around you sail. I remember one year being pushed up this one hill at 32 miles per hour. I have trouble doing that speed on the flats!

The Lighthouse is one of two Centuries sponsered by SLOBC - San Luis Obispo Bike Club (see slobc.org). Both rides - this and the Creston Wildflower fill up quickly. The Wildflower usually sells out the same morning registration is open. Lighthouse not much longer than that. Both rides worth putting on the calendar (the Wildflower is in April).

[Trekhawk]

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

SadieKate - I have thought about the buttes ride as next to Tahoe its probably the closest to us here but I was a bit worried about the time limit.
I think they start packing up at about 3.30 and Im pretty slow. I know by then I will be a bit quicker but it still makes me a bit nervous.

[Trekhawk]

Veronica - Thanks for the info about the Death Valley ride it makes me feel better about missing out.

[Trekhawk]

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!
.

bikerchick68 - thanks for this info. I have not been to Palm Springs so this could be a good way to get in a century and sight see as well.

[caligurl]

bikerchick68 - thanks for this info. I have not been to Palm Springs so this could be a good way to get in a century and sight see as well.

i hope you mean sight seeing AFTER the ride and not during! although this is a nice riding century... you don't see the best of palm springs, indio and palm desert on the ride!

p.s. TdePS was my first century too! i just finished my 10th century of the year last weekend!

[caligurl]

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. ;-)

lol! i'm with bc that 2000 is flat! most of the centuries i've been to have 5000 or more climbing it seems! california is not as flat as people think!

gorgeous pics, bc! i managed to take a few at GT lite but haven't downloaded them yet.... but i already know they aren't nearly as gorgous as yours! (i actually took a couple of the ocean while riding! )

[Trekhawk]

i hope you mean sight seeing AFTER the ride and not during! although this is a nice riding century... you don't see the best of palm springs, indio and palm desert on the ride!
p.s. TdePS was my first century too! i just finished my 10th century of the year last weekend!

caligurl - lol I imagine I will be too tired to take in any awesome scenery anyway. So if I do plan to ride this one I will make sure we have time after to take in the sights.

Thanks Trekhawk

[Veronica]

Veronica - Thanks for the info about the Death Valley ride it makes me feel better about missing out.

They also do a Spring Century that runs through the northern half of the park. We haven't done that one, but have driven the roads. The pavement is much better there. We've thought about doing that one on our own as there are stores at Stovepipe Wells and Scotty's Castle.


V.

PS The Lighthouse Century does sound nice.

[SadieKate]

SadieKate - I have thought about the buttes ride as next to Tahoe its probably the closest to us here but I was a bit worried about the time limit.

But you can do a test ride in February. The Rice Valley Tandem Rally has lots of single riders and takes day-of registration. There is a 40 mile and a 65 mile loop that is much the same as the Bike Around the Buttes. Perfect schedule to test your fitness and ability make the cut offs for a century later in the spring. We rode in 2004 and saw an entire field of Sandhill cranes having a dance party. Pretty spectacular.

http://www.chicovelo.org/ricevalley.html

[Trekhawk]

SadieKate - thanks I will check it out.

[SadieKate]

Forgot to add that the Chico Velo does scrumptious food. They have a caterer they use. Yummmmm!

[jobob]

SadieKate - I have thought about the buttes ride as next to Tahoe its probably the closest to us here but I was a bit worried about the time limit.
I think they start packing up at about 3.30 and Im pretty slow. I know by then I will be a bit quicker but it still makes me a bit nervous.

The Buttes has a time limit? That's news to me ! I really don't remember a time limit - and I don't think it ended at 3:30, I must have staggered in well after that

Maybe you're confusing it with some other ride? It's a really good first century, it has about oh, 50 feet of climbing ... except it does have some fuuuun headwinds for the last 20 miles or so, just when you need them the most

SK, thanks for posting the link to that thread, I forgot how hilarous it was - "the look", snot rocket do's & don'ts ... ah, memories.

- Jo.

[jobob]

BC, forgot to ask, how did your Bro do?

Did he get his Triple Crown*?

* Granted, it's not a She-Ra Princess of Power Tiara, but one must make do sometimes.

[Trekhawk]

The Buttes has a time limit? That's news to me ! I really don't remember a time limit - and I don't think it ended at 3:30, I must have staggered in well after that
Maybe you're confusing it with some other ride? It's a really good first century, it has about oh, 50 feet of climbing ... except it does have some fuuuun headwinds for the last 20 miles or so, just when you need them the most

jobob - not confused its definitely there on the website. It states that the ride starts at between 7.00 and 7.55 and the course closes between 3.30 and 4.30pm. Im sure by the time this ride comes around again I could finish in time but I would prefer to not have to worry too much about a time limit.