Lighthouse???? - Sept. 30

[tprevost]

Who is planning on doing this ride this year? I just re-read Bikerchick68's report from last year and think I want to check it out. It sounds like it sells out very quickly though. Any of you NorCal ladies want to come down? Might be a great half way point?!?!?!

Trac'

[maillotpois]

This is a GREAT ride! It does sell out very quickly - I highly recommend the route with more climbing. If it is the same as prior years, it goes up this beautiful canyon.

I wil be in Hawaii then (and it is the week before the 508) so I won't be doing it. But it is a great ride!

[bcipam]

Lighthouse is one of my favorite rides and if you are interested in the Century - there are two beautiful routes to select from. Not certain if the "hilly" route is more challenging than the "flat" route - lots of headwind on that flat route (done both like the hilly better). The SLOBC bike club knows how to put on a ride (their other the Wildflower is my all time favorite). The ride is quite scenic and goes up past the PB Lighthouse and then turns around and heads back down PCH - make sure you watch for all the Sea Elephants hanging out.

Also good place to stay - the Travelodge in SLO at 1825 Monterey Street. Great location and good price for rooms. Easy access and not far from the ride start.

With all the SLOBC rides, entry will sell out quickly. The WF sells out in a morning and Lighthouse usually in a day or so.

[bikerchick68]

tracy... I have 2 friends who want to ride it this year with me... I get back from Australia on the 16th so if I ride a LOT the two weeks prior I should be fine for it... it's a great ride... last year I rode it with a friend of my brother's and Homey (from bicycling.com forums)... Homey was using it as training for the 508 but just cruised with us... had a great time!

[tprevost]

Okay cool , Bikerchick68 +2 are in; what about you BCIPam????? Are you going to try to do it this year? I think I will opt for the hilly route assuming I'm doing the 100

I'd still love to talk some of the NorCal contingent into joining in as it would be SO great to meet them!!!

Tracy

ps. Jen, do they have a BJ's in SLO???

[Brandy]

Tracy...what are you doing to me woman? I think I'm going to have to start calling you Tracy the Temptress from here on out. I'm up for it if I can ride up with someone and we can share a room at a lower price hotel. I just checked Travelodge and it's $78/night...not bad. I have driven this area more times than I can count and I'd love to ride it!

Brandy <~~~on a budget or her dh will kill her

[tprevost]

Okay Brandy we're good to go! Bikerchick68 - there are NO BJ's in SLO!!! I thought for SURE that would be a place they would have one, darn it anyway! Although there is one in Oxnard which is on the way... hmmmm.

BC68, when the rides are this far away, do you usually go up the day before or the day of? ... just curious

T~

[bcipam]

Tracy for Lighthouse - you need to go up Friday. It's a really long drive. You need to save your energy for Saturday. Go up Friday, take some time tooling around SLO - maybe even drive out to La Cuesta College to see where it is and then plan on staying though to Sunday and before going home - have breakfast at Big Sky Cafe, on Broad Street. It's my favorite restaurant in town. Good for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Also make sure you book the Travelodge on Monterey. There are two others in town. All have good prices but the Monterey Street is located in a nicer area (just down from the Apple Inn - another nice place to eat). If you are willing to spend alittle more money - ask for the last suite on the second floor - at the end of the building. The room is huge (can be shared easily with 2 - 4 people) and there's this wonderful view of the hills next door. Open the windows at night and listen to the frogs chirping in a nearby stream.
If you can stay alittle later, do the Avila Beach (on the Bob Jackson parkway) ride in the morning. You can get the route slip off the SLOBC.org website.

If you stay at the Travelodge getting to La Cuesta will be easy. Travel South on Monterey, down the hill to the signal light, turn right and the road goes right to La Cuesta.

Can you tell I go to SLO alot? But this year staying home. Its a rest, recovery and save money year for me.

[caligurl]

that's why we didn't do the lighthouse last year (nor are we doing it this year)... it's too far for us to go in a day.... and as previously stated.. we won't/can't stay overnight!

fortunately... angeles crest is that day... so i'm not rideless! lol!

[tprevost]

Hey Pam! Actually, I did get a room but got it at Holiday Inn Express (also on Monterey) because I can use DH's points and the room is free. I've got to come home Saturday because of the kids and the whining (usually starting late the second day I'm gone!) DH! I think Brandy probably has the same issue. Although, it would be nice to stay that 2nd night, I just can't be gone for 3 days There's already several rides where I'm gone the night before and a couple where I'm gone all weekend (Healdsburg) so I can't push my luck any further!

Caligurl! It such a bummer - lets get you a trailer so you can just tow Brie behind you (or maybe DH can do that!). I seriously think that the Holiday Inn Express' do take pets but of course if you are both riding, it probably wouldn't be good to leave her alone. Dang it anyway!!!

I've got my 'alarm' set to go off when the registration opens so I'll for sure be there for the 100 w/more hills!

Tracy

[caligurl]

oh.. HE would definitely be pulling the trailer.. and brie's fat butt (yes... she's fat but she has thyroid issues... we're working on it!)

we've thought of taking her (and tyler when he was still with us)... but that would mean staying 2 nights cuz we'd have to have the room for all day rather than one night and check out pre-ride....... leaving her in the room wouldn't be such an issue if she were there with us... cuz she stays in the house all day while we're at work (and until recently.. they both used to stay in their crates... so she's crate trained).... the additional expense of 2 nights in a hotel/motel IF we could find one is a big issue... after paying for 2 registrations.. and gas to get there (some close to 200 miles one way)... don't really want to add the expense of a motel room! (although i've really really REALLY thought about it for solvang... but no dog friendly places there that i know of... danged dog-haters! lol!)

make sure you take your camera so you can post lots of pics for us!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bcipam]

The Holiday Inn Express is just down the street from the Travelodge. usually I don't stay there cause it's too expensive.

So do me a favor - make sure you do dinner at Big Sky Friday night. You can thank me later for the recommendation!

PS: They specialize in veggie meals if you are of that bent. Most of those meals tend to be on the "healthy" side but oh so delicious!

[tprevost]

Definately will try that restaurant! Is it downtown? I think eating on the "healthy side" will probably be a good thing the night before the ride!

Thanks for the recommendation!

Tracy

[bcipam]

It's about a 1/2 mile down (South) from your hotel - take Monterey to Broad and turn left (I think - I always get alittle lost but eventually find it). Its right off either Monterey or Higuera.

[bikerchick68]

I'll go up Friday nite and check in... then stay over Sat and come back Sunday... I MAY do a tour of Hearst Castle this time while I'm there... and I've always wanted to stop at the Madonna Inn... AND Solvang is on the way back too! OH... the shopping

yeah, no BJ's... darnit!