2006 SOLVANG CENTURY BIKE RIDE

Thunderstorms, stinging hail, light snowfall, and wind – other than that, the 2006 Solvang Century Bike Ride fell on a perfect day. Fortunately, all of these impediments to a safe and enjoyable ride occurred between mile 15 and mile 26. The rest of the 103 miles found cool, but dry weather, and spectacularly beautiful scenery. Although several riders went down on slick roadways, most of the riders respected the rain, snow and hail, and slowed down some. The downhill segments on Hwy. 1 outside Lompoc were exhilarating, but potentially dangerous. The Harris Grade ascent was long, but easier than I’d been led to expect. The Foxen Canyon Road ascent was tough, but again, not as daunting as I’d been warned; and finally, the Ballard Canyon ascent, which rose up about 8 miles from the finish, was tough, but short. However, the accumulation of the roughly 5,500 feet of climbing over the total course, did take its toll, and I was struggling some between mile 80 and mile 95. My shoulder was killing me, and my neck screamed for me to stop. These are two issues I've been plagued with for the last couple of years, since I took up competitive cycling. The pain was quite distracting, but I managed to stretch while riding, and that helped a lot. Once I topped the final hill (Ballard Canyon ascent), with roughly 8 miles to go to the finish, I found new strength, and passed about 30 riders, while being passed by only one over that final stretch. My final time of 6:40.12 for 100 miles and 6:51.02 for the 103.4 miles was better than I had anticipated, so I was thrilled, especially given the really tough conditions in the early stages of the ride. All-in-all, I am totally pleased with my performance in my first 100 miler. I averaged about 15 miles per hour, a faster pace than I averaged in the Solvang Prelude 50 miler back in November of 2005.

We rode through the Santa Ynez Valley wine country, and past many vineyards, wineries and tasting rooms - what a temptation. We rode past Sanford and LaFonde wineries on SantaRosa Road, then past Cambria, Rancho Sisquoc, Foxen, Zaca Mesa, Fess Parker, Curtis and Rusak wineries along Foxen Canyon and Ballard Canyon roads. I did hit the Cambria Winery the next day - they have wonderful Pinot Noirs. That stop was a recommended recovery technique. The ride also took us past green farm and ranch fields, rolling hills dotted with magnificent Oak trees, and through the towns of Lompoc, Orcutt, Sisquoc, Los Olivos and Santa Maria.

I saw at least 50 riders stricken with flats. My bike carried me flawlessly over the 103 miles. Other than my bothersome left shoulder and neck, I felt fine to the end. It’s a long, long way to ride. I drove 500 miles to get to Solvang, and rode 100 miles – an interesting comparison.

Cruising along at 93 mile point - Fess Parker Winery. Look at the beautiful country scenery along the road, especially the magnificent Oak trees.

Approaching the Finish in Solvang - 6 hours 51 minutes 02 seconds for 103.4 miles

Yes, I look 'used,' and I feel that way, too. Pizza, anyone? I was 58 years and 9 months old for this ride, and the body definitely knew it. But, I did it, and that's what really counts.

Yes, I am kissing my bike. She brought me home safely and without incident, after 103 miles of rigorous cycling. We endured rain, near freezing weather, wind, hail and snow along parts of the course. I ride a Specialized Roubaix road bike, which weighs less than 22 pounds, including tools, water bottle, etc. By comparison, my Specialized Rock Hopper mountain bike weighs 33 pounds road ready.

Here's a photo of the nasty bruise I incurred after a crash a few months before the ride. Biking can be dangerous - hey, but someone's got to do it.

I rode the Solvang Prelude (Solvang, California), the annual ride that proceeds the following spring's Century ride. I finished in 3 hours, 0 minutes, and 19 seconds. Circumstances worked in my favor, producing a finish that amazed me. I started in the first group released. Groups of about 20 riders were released every thirty seconds to a minute. I led the first three miles to Buellton, where I fell to third, then retook the lead on a nasty hill about nine miles out on Ballard Canyon Road when one of the two guys in front of me crashed on a steep, twisting descent. They were going too fast and recklessly on the potholed and gravely road. I lost the lead again in Los Olivos, at about the 11 mile point, but I then retook the lead again at the fourteen mile point. I lost it soon afterwards - this time for good, but that was a good 16 miles into the ride.

I finished 5th to the finish line - yes, FIFTH. Incredible. Only one of the riders in groups that started each half-minute after I started ever caught me. I was blown away by that. I kept waiting for the horde of faster riders to catch me, but none ever did. I'm guessing that the crash on narrow and winding Ballard Canyon Road probably bottlenecked things for many riders behind me, especially once the ambulance arrived. I'm guessing that many riders behind me were forced to dismount and walk or run their bikes through the traffic jam at the accident site. It must have been a real mess. I really rode hard, and it paid off. I avoided the bottleneck because I pushed hard the first fifteen miles, determined to stay out of trouble and up with the leaders. That strategy worked a miracle for me. The sixth rider to finish was more than two minutes behind me. I don't know how many riders there were, but surely a few thousand. The weather was perfect. I will never forget this day. In case you can't tell, I am really psyched. This 59-year-old man left hundreds of much younger riders well behind; yes, with the aid of the accident, I must admit.

First rider to 3 miles – Buellton

Ascending Ballard Canyon hill, before fateful crash that

vaulted me back into the lead.

One mile from finish, turning onto Atterdag Road ; 5^th to the finish line.

Turning into the final stretch - four blocks to the finish line.

Packing up after the ride - yes, I'm grinning big!