Chico Wildflower anyone?

[RolliePollie]

Just signed up for the Chico Wildflower. I've never ridden it before but I've heard great things. I'm totally excited and I hope it's really fun.

I went ahead and signed up for the full century but I doubt I'll be ready. Considering it's only 2-1/2 weeks away, my bike is in the shop, I have snow at my house, and I have poison oak on my legs thanks to Party Pardee (which was great, by the way, except for the poison oak), my pre-ride training schedule might be thrown off just a bit. The metric is probably more realistic.

[five one]

We did the Chico Wildflower metric a number of times when our son was attending Chico State. I've done the century once. It was early in my cycling career, blistering hot that year. I found the Table Mountain climb difficult then, but I probably wouldn't think so now that I have had a few more years of riding. The loop out Highway 32 (Humboldt Rd.) on the century route tends to have a lot of broken glass on the shoulder. I've heard it's a high school party hangout on the weekends. The climb up Honey Run Rd. is about five miles of up, but not difficult. Very pretty through there.

It's a great ride. Beautiful countryside, good support, good food at the rest stops.

The ride jerseys are really nice. I bought the red one the year I did the century and it remains one of my faves. I think they are Voler club fit. Don't quote me on that, however.

It's been several years since we've done the ride, but I'm sure we'll do it again in the future.

If you do decide to ride, be sure to report back. I hope your poison oak is healed by then. DH has had it BAD a couple times. I think Bendryl helped.

[jobob]

It's on my "someday" list. Have fun!

[RolliePollie]

Did anyone else end up doing this ride?

This was my first time doing this ride and I was impressed. The course was nice, it seemed well organized, there was tons of food, etc. The weather was nearly perfect and the scenery was great. I would definitely recommend this ride.

I just did the metric...I was somewhat disappointed in my performance on the Honey Run Rd. hill and it pretty much wiped me out. I'm not exactly sure, but I think the hill is 4 miles long with about a 1,500 foot elevation gain. It took me almost an hour. I would estimate I was passed by at least 500 riders on that hill, and I only passed probably 20. I felt slow and fat. So I chickened out on the Table Mountain hill and headed out into the flats. Now I wish I had pushed myself and done the full Century, but it's early in the season so I'm trying to cut myself a break.

[Trek420]

How was the food? I did the "flat flower" long ago, early in my return to cycling. It rained the whole time, poured even.

The food at the end, even rest stops was worth it. Best ride food ever.

[RolliePollie]

The food was very impressive! Definiltey a cut above the normal fare.

At the rest stops, they had all kinds of really yummy baked goods...muffins, oatmeal bars, cookies, etc. At the lunch stop, they had chicken liver pate sandwiches (ummm, I appreciate that pate is kind of gourmet, but YUCK!!!!), wonderful strawberries and watermelon, and tons of interesting juices. The post-ride meal was really good too. They had vegetarian tamales, tri-tip, mixed baby greens with awesome dressing, marinated cucumbers, pasta salad, "artisan" bread, gourmet sodas, and ice cream sandwiches.

[five one]

Honey Run did me in the first year I did the Chico Wildflower Metric. It was also very early in my cycling life. It got easier each time I did it.

The only year I did the imperial century, the temps were in the 90's and I had my first major bonk ever on Table Mountain. It's really not that difficult a climb if the weather cooperates and you're in reasonably good shape.

The food, as stated in other posts, is great. Very friendly folks at the rest stops. Strawberries.... Does Chico Velo still give the riders a bandana map? We must have a dozen of those between us. One is hanging up here at work in my cube.

It's been about four years since we did this ride. I think we'll plan on it for next year. I've missed it.

Glad to hear you enjoyed the ride.

[RolliePollie]

Does Chico Velo still give the riders a bandana map? We must have a dozen of those between us. One is hanging up here at work in my cube.

Yup, they still do the bandanas! And a water bottle AND a cool printed back-pack bag thing.