Moonlight Magic Century

[Veronica]

Do you think you would need to practice riding at night? It will be a full moon on the ride so not too dark.

Thom and I did a moonlight century on the tandem summer before last. We just took a nap in the afternoon. He did get kind of tired on the drive home though and I ended up driving the last 20 miles or so.

V.

[Trekhawk]

Thom and I did a moonlight century on the tandem summer before last. We just took a nap in the afternoon. He did get kind of tired on the drive home though and I ended up driving the last 20 miles or so.
V.

Thanks for the tip V if I do this Im sure I will have to stay somewhere around the start I would be a basket case after riding that far.

Maybe its time for another moonlight century on your tandem?

Come on , Come on.

Trekhawk trying to rope in other nutty night riders.

[Veronica]

Actually, I was looking at the date and thinking about it. I have to talk to "the man" though before I can commit.

V.

[SadieKate]

Ever since Princess Zippy and her consort told us about their DV experience, it's been in the back of my mind, but the timing on this one is bad. We're off to the Canyonlands for a week in April and then Oregon for a week in May. The spring or fall DV Centuries are better timing. I'd prefer to go in the spring, but I really want to do the northern route which is the fall ride. Both of these rides are actually in the Valley.

Plus, if the weather is nice I want to do Tour of the Unknown Valley out of Maxwell which is the same day (and no overnight needed). I keep trying for this one but the gods have conspired against me. After the Siskiyou, I'm extra committed to seeing those hills west of the Sacramento Valley.

[Trekhawk]

Ever since Princess Zippy and her consort told us about their DV experience, it's been in the back of my mind, but the timing on this one is bad. We're off to the Canyonlands for a week in April and then Oregon for a week in May. The spring or fall DV Centuries are better timing. I'd prefer to go in the spring, but I really want to do the northern route which is the fall ride. Both of these rides are actually in the Valley.

Plus, if the weather is nice I want to do Tour of the Unknown Valley out of Maxwell which is the same day (and no overnight needed). I keep trying for this one but the gods have conspired against me. After the Siskiyou, I'm extra committed to seeing those hills west of the Sacramento Valley.

Wow you are a busy girl. The tour of the unknown valley sounds interesting do you have a link for that one?

[SadieKate]

Chico Velo puts on a terrific series of centuries rides, all close to you. The winter rides usually have same day registration so you can look at the weather. The Rice Valley Tandem rally goes around the Sutter Buttes when the cranes are there and lots of singles riders are out sucking wheel. So, don't feel shy. As close as you are to Chico, I highly recommend one of the Wildflower routes in April, though this year there was rain in the mountains and last year was a record high.

The 2006 info isn't up yet, but you can still download the maps.

http://www.chicovelo.org/centurydates05.html

PS - the week in the Canyonlands was by royal command as issued by Princess Zippy.

[Trekhawk]

Chico Velo puts on a terrific series of centuries rides, all close to you. The winter rides usually have same day registration so you can look at the weather. The Rice Valley Tandem rally goes around the Sutter Buttes when the cranes are there and lots of singles riders are out sucking wheel. So, don't feel shy. As close as you are to Chico, I highly recommend one of the Wildflower routes in April, though this year there was rain in the mountains and last year was a record high.
The 2006 info isn't up yet, but you can still download the maps.
http://www.chicovelo.org/centurydates05.html
PS - the week in the Canyonlands was by royal command as issued by Princess Zippy.

Thanks SadieKate - the closer the rides are the better. With the tribe coming along less logistical support would be required

LOL - A royal summons is never to be ignored Ive heard a stay in the tower is ghastly and occasionally heads do roll.

[wabisabi]

Chico is great, and their version of the Unknown Coast (2 days with supported catered food and camping) looks better than ours (1 day, almost entirely hammerhead men). I may defect.

[Veronica]

Ever since Princess Zippy and her consort told us about their DV experience, it's been in the back of my mind, but the timing on this one is bad. We're off to the Canyonlands for a week in April and then Oregon for a week in May. The spring or fall DV Centuries are better timing. I'd prefer to go in the spring, but I really want to do the northern route which is the fall ride. Both of these rides are actually in the Valley.

Chris Kostman (head honcho of Planet Ultra) was on the Riv weekend and I swear he said they were switching the order for the centuries. Now I could have misunderstood... as I was working very hard to stay with his group. I eventually got dropped when I dropped my chain. But i kept them in sight.

Anyway... I think the northern portion is doable on your own. There is food at Scottie's Castle. So maybe we should just plan our own TE DV trip.

V.

[Veronica]

PS - the week in the Canyonlands was by royal command as issued by Princess Zippy.

Yes and you were so hard to convince. I think I said, "So do you want to do a Maze tour?"

I gotta get me a tiara.


V.

[go get em]

I would love to do this ride. If my knee is better by then I will definitely go.

[Trekhawk]

I would love to do this ride. If my knee is better by then I will definitely go.

Cool we might get a TE team together yet.

[SadieKate]

I swear he said they were switching the order for the centuries.
Anyway... I think the northern portion is doable on your own. There is food at Scottie's Castle. So maybe we should just plan our own TE DV trip.

According to the website, the northern route is in the fall. Isn't that what you did? For some reason it seems that it would be the more interesting of the two but I really only base that on the rolling elevation profile. What is winter like there? I assume it can get pretty cold at night.

http://www.adventurecorps.com/dvspring/index.html
http://www.planetultra.com/

[Veronica]

That is a switch then. We did the southern route in the fall both times. It's pretty, but the road is horrible.

No idea about winter - we've only been there in October. I'm running off to check the NPS site. Average low is 39, average high 65 in December.

V.

[aka_kim]

When I did the fall DV ride several years ago it took the southern route too - and like PZip said, the pavement is bad.

Here's a link to a picture showing the 12 mile 6-8% grade climb to Scotty's Castle... so I guess the ride is not flat.