Solvang Century 2011

[tangentgirl]

I just signed up. W00t!

[Crystal]

me too!

[tangentgirl]

Sweet. I'm excited, only, what, 6 weeks now? Anyone else in on this?

[idak]

I'm doing Solvang, the double century March 26

[tangentgirl]

Holy guacamole, Idak. Good luck!

It looks like there are two sets of Solvang rides in March...

Planet Ultra's double on the 26th: http://www.planetultra.com/solvang/

&

SCOR's single & half on the 12th: http://www.bikescor.com/solvang/

I'll be there on the 12th, hopefully ready to ride 100 hilly miles.

Idak (or anyone else), have you had much experience w/ Planet Ultra rides before?

[Veronica]

I've ridden the Solvang Double and the Eastern Sierra Double with Planet Ultra. Unlike most other event organizers, they are trying to make a profit. While the support is fine, it's not the same standard as other double centuries I've done.

Veronica

[tangentgirl]

Interesting. Like, less stops and amenities? Or less support on the course?

[Veronica]

Enough support on the course and enough rest stops. (Stops on a double tend to be a little further apart than on a century.) But much less variety of food and beverages at the rest stops and they don't do a meal at the end. The trouble with that in Solvang was if you finish late, no restaurants are open.

The year we did Solvang, it poured all morning and my husband had more flats in one day, they he has had in his life (small exaggeration) and he had to pay for a tube. Yes, I know tubes aren't free... but your entry costs should cover that.

If I were still doing doubles, I'd do their rides still. They go to some interesting places, but they certainly have less frills.

Veronica

[idak]

good info...I'm signed up for Camino Real and Death Valley doubles in Feb...any info on those would be appreciated. They're all new to me.
I always bring my own food after getting stuck a couple of times assuming there would be plenty of snacks provided on some organized rides.

[tangentgirl]

I'm starting to think I'm going to have to do the half at Solvang. Between illness and injuries, I'm worried that I haven't had enough ride time to make it to 100 on *that* course.

Any suggestions on a nice century in April?

[carinapir]

http://granfondosandiego.com/

[tangentgirl]

So I've decided I'm not ready. Bummer, bummer. Anyone want to buy a ride entry?