Solvang Century? Fallbrook Oaks Tour??

[Pain Freak]

Originally Posted by BSki

I respect these guys for their views on "the wall" but I have to disagree. Now I wasn't mountain riding last year, only road riding, but here is what I remember.

"The Wall" itself isn't that tough. It the culmination of everything from mile 65 leading up to "the wall" that takes its toll.

1-65 is some rollers, but mostly into a headwind that sucks it out of you.
65-75 is Fox-and-Canyon (think that is the name) It is 10 miles of about a 3-4% grade. No big deal, but you push harder then normal because you are going so slow. You will see a LOT of people on the side of the road resting here.
Right when you think you are at the end of fox-and-canyon you turn right and see a bunch of people walking up a hill. This isn't a long hill, but its about a 12% grade for 1/2 mile or so. If feels a LOT longer and steeper on tired legs. Keep in mind, this is not "the wall", I thought it was.
"The wall" is next, and it is after the last aid station. So take your time and rest up. You will be riding really well until you come around a bend and see "the wall" you cannot mistake it. When you say to yourself "You have to be kidding me", that is "the wall". It is a long climb. I would say 2 miles at about 7-10% grade. I would put it along the lines of Newport Coast.
After "the wall" you think you are all done climbing and home free. There is another winding climb left. Not real tough, or long, but it makes the legs bleed a bit.

Then you are downhill (and a very fast downhill) back into town.

Painfreak: You should think about starting with a swim and ending with a marathon. (www.ironman.com) That will cause some pain (that lasts a few weeks)

I agree as I said, "But a 100 miles can be tough".

I was doing tri's for a while, but when something takes away from the pleasure (training all the time),it's time to give it up.

It's called Foxen Canyon.

[houseofmusic]

Did you guys do the last solvang prelude, they changed the route a bit so Nojoqui Falls was at the end instead of in the beginning.

talk about painful climb, Nojoqui Falls wasn't soo bad at the beginning but at the end, it took almost everything i got to make it to the top.

[CC]

Pain Freak and B Ski described the Solvang Century perfectly. It's not too hard, especially if you've been mountain bike riding. I think I did it in 2002 but that was before I started mt bike riding.

I might shoot for doing this ride, but could put if off until the Prelude.

[Mdm. Dabalot]

It is Foxen Canyon at Solvang that does you in. You don't really feel the climb because it is so gradual but you slow down then kick yourself to figure out why! Roll with it knowing it is a long, steady climb. When you hit the other two climbs just know that they are short and steep!

[Letyrides]

Fallbrook is coming up April 5th. Anyone signing up?

[Red Hawk]

Man I would love to do this ride, I only need a BIKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I guess I could either find out who stole mine or get a kids bike for cheap, maybe with training wheels and a basket?

[PacMan]

Originally Posted by Letyrides

Fallbrook is coming up April 5th. Anyone signing up?

A few of us SD peeps are.

[lkn2ryd]

Trying to rally the infamous Nimrods Racing Team. We all can't seem to commit and when we do...the boyz bail out at the last minute with every lame excuse in the book. I, however, only backout if my wife says "No!". So...far...I'm...in...just haven't told her yet.