Monticello Solano Century 5/20/07

[RolliePollie]

I'm a newbie and I'm wondering if anyone has done the Monticello Solano Century...I'm looking at the metric century route.

I have some friends doing this ride and I'd love to join them, but I need some advice on the course. None of these friends have ever done this ride before either. Here's where I am as far as distances/skill goes: I can do 50 miles on a relatively flat route without any trouble. And my hilly route close to home is about 20 miles...I'm slow on the big hills, but I'm not totally dead afterwards. I'm newly clipless (doing ok...I've fallen twice so far ) but I'm kind of a disaster area (or maybe just a big dork) when it comes to starting and stopping, riding in traffic, etc. But I'm pretty good at shifting and I think my average speed is pretty good for a newbie. This is 3 weeks away and if the weather holds, I can get in a lot of riding before then. I have never done a group ride.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated! THANKS!

[SadieKate]

First of all, go to this thread and repost your question plus the distance you actually plan to ride. There are several choices.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...ght=MOnticello

[RolliePollie]

Thanks, SadieKate...Geez Louise, not only am I a big newbie on the bike, I'm a big newbie to discussion forums!!!

[tprevost]

Hi Sara! Just thought I'd pipe in since there seem to be some 'iffy' areas on that ride.... there's also a ride that weekend out of Lodi as another option if this one seems to much/dangerous

[SadieKate]

It's just the climb over Mt. George that is iffy. Early in the morning and the direction they're going is not as bad as west bound. The entire rest of the route is fine. Great roads for riding.

[tprevost]

It's just the climb over Mt. George that is iffy. Early in the morning and the direction they're going is not as bad as west bound. The entire rest of the route is fine. Great roads for riding.

are there rollers or 'big' hills???

[SadieKate]

A mixture, but definitely plenty of longer climbs. Harder than anything we rode yesterday. There was really only one hill on the 100 mile route yesterday that had any really steepness to it.

I'll write up notes on the other thread (just to keep it consolidated) if everyone posts what distance they're thinking of doing.

[tprevost]

A mixture, but definitely plenty of longer climbs. Harder than anything we rode yesterday. There was really only one hill on the 100 mile route yesterday that had any really steepness to it.

I'll write up notes on the other thread (just to keep it consolidated) if everyone posts what distance they're thinking of doing.

okay... off to the other thread!