Fast Century route - anyone been on this one?
02-16-13, 09:58 AM
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Fast Century route - anyone been on this one?
Doing a sub-5 hour century has long been on my bicycling bucket list. But with all the hills around here in NorCal, all local the centuries have too much climbing for me to consider even trying to do them in under 5 hours.
Recently I came across this organized century - https://3fcentury.com/ near Chico. Advertised as Flat, Fast and Fun. It's 100 miles with only 500 ft of elevation! Now that's something even this old body can handle. I'm thinking of signing up, but since it looks like a pretty new ride, I thought I would check in here to see if anyone has experience with it.
Anyone done this ride? How are the roads? I don't care too much about food at rest stops, just need water and some snacks.
While I'm at it, anyone want to join me in a sub-5 century paceline? I'll be on this recumbent -
Recently I came across this organized century - https://3fcentury.com/ near Chico. Advertised as Flat, Fast and Fun. It's 100 miles with only 500 ft of elevation! Now that's something even this old body can handle. I'm thinking of signing up, but since it looks like a pretty new ride, I thought I would check in here to see if anyone has experience with it.
Anyone done this ride? How are the roads? I don't care too much about food at rest stops, just need water and some snacks.
While I'm at it, anyone want to join me in a sub-5 century paceline? I'll be on this recumbent -
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02-16-13, 02:08 PM
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I'm game. Last year there was a short thread on BROL about a ride called the "Goathead Century" down near Visalia ... just found the thread, it says 354 feet of climbing.
Right now I can average 21mph for 3.25 hours on my recumbent solo. I haven't had a reason to ride longer than that, but a flat century at that pace shouldn't be a problem.
Right now I can average 21mph for 3.25 hours on my recumbent solo. I haven't had a reason to ride longer than that, but a flat century at that pace shouldn't be a problem.
02-17-13, 12:33 PM
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Sounds like fun. I don't think I have ever experienced a flat road!
Too bad it is the same day as the Santa Cruz Mt. Charlie Challenge. Tons of climbing (um, it is Mount Charlie after all), but at least it is close to me.
Too bad it is the same day as the Santa Cruz Mt. Charlie Challenge. Tons of climbing (um, it is Mount Charlie after all), but at least it is close to me.
02-17-13, 12:51 PM
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I'm not sure I'll be back in shape by then. Right now I'm sidelined with 2 broken wrists and a healing separated shoulder. Crashing sucks, even more so when someone else causes by selfish stupidity.
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02-17-13, 12:55 PM
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What is this "flat road" thing you speak of?
02-18-13, 09:51 PM
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I guess no one here has been on the route. I'm going to assume the route is good enough.
I will post on BROL to see if we can get some other folks to join us. Should be fun...
I will post on BROL to see if we can get some other folks to join us. Should be fun...
I'm game. Last year there was a short thread on BROL about a ride called the "Goathead Century" down near Visalia ... just found the thread, it says 354 feet of climbing.
Right now I can average 21mph for 3.25 hours on my recumbent solo. I haven't had a reason to ride longer than that, but a flat century at that pace shouldn't be a problem.
Right now I can average 21mph for 3.25 hours on my recumbent solo. I haven't had a reason to ride longer than that, but a flat century at that pace shouldn't be a problem.
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02-18-13, 10:04 PM
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02-19-13, 11:58 AM
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Similar to Bike Around the Buttes. Never done it but I have ridden out of Yuba City to Pass Rd and back, and beware the flat road. It was all fun and games until Mr. Headwind showed up.
02-20-13, 11:43 AM
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...as it always does. Early May usually isn't as bad as later in summer, but I've definitely battled the headwind on the Wildflower centry in Chico. Starting at 7am should get you done though before the wind picks up. FWIW, I believe the Tour de Cure in Napa is a much faster course.
02-20-13, 02:55 PM
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Love the 'about' page on the 3f website. Sounds like a fun ride. The LOVE ride (Feb 10) did a 40 mile around the Buttes. I drove it recently and looks like a nice route, but narrow - and lots of rabbits in the early morning!
03-01-13, 04:39 AM
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I definitely can't do this in sub 5 hours, but looks like a nice route. I'll definitely give it a try... but I'm shooting for sub-7 hours! Only done one century so far, and it took me around 8 hours.
05-04-13, 06:21 PM
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Ride Report:
Went there with the wife for her intro into organized rides, figure "fun, flat and fast" is a good start. I'm tempted to say "big mistake", but we have had a great road trip overall, good times in Woodland.
Specifics: In the middle of absolute nowhere of course, gusting to 35 mph at 6am in the morning...and all day long, roads are pure crap, no shoulders, we got buzzed by duallies, utility trucks & horse trailers in the first 5 miles - I pulled us out and we found our own route away from this "fun ride". Never got to see how it's supported, never got that far..thankfully.
Off our list, permanently. Anyone know of a sane ride close to Woodland, Davis?
Went there with the wife for her intro into organized rides, figure "fun, flat and fast" is a good start. I'm tempted to say "big mistake", but we have had a great road trip overall, good times in Woodland.
Specifics: In the middle of absolute nowhere of course, gusting to 35 mph at 6am in the morning...and all day long, roads are pure crap, no shoulders, we got buzzed by duallies, utility trucks & horse trailers in the first 5 miles - I pulled us out and we found our own route away from this "fun ride". Never got to see how it's supported, never got that far..thankfully.
Off our list, permanently. Anyone know of a sane ride close to Woodland, Davis?
05-04-13, 07:44 PM
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Yikes, thanks for the report, glad I didn't end up pulling the trigger on it. Signed up for the Sonoma Gran Fondo with a friend instead.
05-07-13, 10:01 PM
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I went on this ride also. The wind was incredible. I was blown off the road 3 times, once into the other lane. Countless other "heart in the throat" moments. I've also never had to lean my bike into a crosswind before. There was a stretch at mile 30 of 15 miles straight into a 30mph headwind. That was fun.
My recumbent probably was a lot better off than all roadies, though. I abandoned after 80 miles, knowing that my sub-5 hour goal was shot, and hearing that ambulances were being called out to help riders blown off course.
I did not experience any problems with traffic, maybe because I left at 7am. The route was pretty nice overall. Lived up to the flat designation for sure.
The recumbent was a true beast on this flat route. I'll have to try this again next year.
My recumbent probably was a lot better off than all roadies, though. I abandoned after 80 miles, knowing that my sub-5 hour goal was shot, and hearing that ambulances were being called out to help riders blown off course.
I did not experience any problems with traffic, maybe because I left at 7am. The route was pretty nice overall. Lived up to the flat designation for sure.
The recumbent was a true beast on this flat route. I'll have to try this again next year.
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05-07-13, 10:17 PM
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Yeah, we got a late start thanks to a problem rim & under-estimating how effing far away Colusa is from Woodland. You are a manly man for going 80 miles in that crap, good luck to you next year. Me, I'd much rather do Livermore-Benicia R/T for flat and fun.
05-11-13, 06:15 PM
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Polo Field Century ala Pizzaman
https://app.strava.com/activities/42140057
https://app.strava.com/activities/42140057
05-12-13, 06:36 AM
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Polo Field Century ala Pizzaman
https://app.strava.com/activities/42140057
https://app.strava.com/activities/42140057
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