For those of you interested the Amtrak Century registration opens this Friday at 7:00 am. The event is September 8. Amtrack Century Last year this ride sold out in around 2 hours, so make sure to login as early as possible (yeah, there were some issues with registration last year as well, I hear). For those of you who don't know anything about the Amtrak Century: It is a premier Southern California 100 mile bike ride. It starts in Irvine and continues south to Old Town San Diego. After the ride you get to hop on the train for a nice relaxing ride back to Irvine. If you have never done a century and are interested in riding one this is one of the best starter centuries around. It has complete sag support as well as rest stops about every 25 miles. I did this ride once two years ago. I plan on signing up this Friday morning. I will be riding with the bicycle club at my work. Since we have people at all skill levels - and we try to regroup at every rest stop, we generally stay together at a relatively slow pace. If anyone is going, let me know!
The event web site must be down. I checked it moments before I posted it, so it should be back shortly. You can access it through the club's site at OCW Home Page but the link to the event doesn't seem to be working now.
I rode it 6 years in a row, until last year when the registration wouldn't work right. We have a group of 12 going and that's not even talking about my roadie club. I believe it will sell out in under 1 hour this year. If you are considering doing a century, this is a great first time one. It's still a 100 miles so you will be tired, but I've seen some real out of shape people do this ride. There is one short climb at Torey Pines, but it's no big deal. Plus there's ice cream at the top! Our group will probably be traveling about 17 mph, but we do regroup. If you want to join us pm me and we will bring you along.
Mike/Lee, do you recall the cost. I did the Solvang Century about 4 years ago and I loved it. I might be interested in doing this...on my widdle cannondale.
75 smackers with the train return (which I recommend as it's a hoot to watch the drunks do the conga down the middle of the train).Here's the link with all the info. Amtrack Century
Mine will be built by then. Assuming everything is under control at my business, I'll join you. I might put a front brake on, though
We've decided if we don't make the registration we will poach it also. We have a driver who will shuttle us home, but we will probably have to find another driver if we get everyone going.
Two years ago, I bought an entry from a coworker who canceled out. Unfortunately, it didn't include the train ride back to Irvine. I just bought a regular train ticket for about $16. My train left about an hour later, but I think I got there within minutes after the group train, and I had a nice and quiet ride back up. Actually, I'd kind of like to take the train to Irvine from Fullerton (or the new Buena Park station, if it's open then), then take a regular train from San Diego back to Fullerton (or BP). Since that was my first time doing that ride, I was a little worried about the Torrey Pines hill that I heard about from many people (mostly from roadies). Another mountain biker told me not to worry, since it's not that bad if you're a mountain biker. Sure enough, the hill was really no big deal...except for the ice cream at the top!
I wont be anywhere near a computer friday being in Maui but if I can find a way to sign up I just might.
As I and many other people have done, often there are entries that people purchased that they can't use. As the even approaches, you're likely to be able to find someone who can't go and is selling their entry. And in the last couple days, those entries can sometimes be had for very cheap.
Also, if you're staying in a hotel, many hotels have internet access. What else are you doing at that time? Your excuses are starting to sound like someone else we know...:lol: just kidding!
Well it's 7:49 and the event is sold out if you want to take the train. I signed up for the event without train ride. I figure I will take one of the regular Amtrak trains back.
