Solvang Century/Metric Century/Half Century Trip Report
The trip.
Saturday, March 10, 2012 was the 30th anniversary running of the Solvang Century
The weather
Known for its unpredictable weather, the Solvang Century was run under sunny, if not cold, clear morning skies.   When asked along the ride where I was from, upon learning I was from San Diego, the reply was, “so you’re the one that brought the good weather…”It rained that evening after the ride…Temperatures at starting time (630 AM 31°; 800 AM 40°) were especially frigid.  The first mile was a downhill exiting north of Solvang along hwy 246.  I thought my fingers would freeze and drop off; and the chill bit through my rain jacket.  I was wondering if I should have worn a thermal base-layer beneath my long sleeve jersey (NCCC of course) and rain jacket.  Most people wore thermal baselayers; thermal knickers; arm warmers; jackets, etc.  It wasn’t until about 50 miles into the ride that it became warm enough for me to shed my jacket. 
The route:
Even though the route slip said 2000 feet change in elevation for the 70 (“Metric Century”…I thought a metric century was 66 miles…), the route had surprisingly long stretches of straight flat road, e.g., 13 miles, San Antonio Rd rt onto Hwy 135; about 4 miles after a Drum Canyon summit (more on that later) and about 9 miles returning to Solvang along Hwy246.  There were several pace-lines blowing through the route, I understand the only serious crash was from an unexperienced rider crashing when hemmed in by a fast moving pace-line.  In fact, once I decided to drop a group of riders and set my own pace, I was able to look around, not having to watch the rider in front of me, and the scenery was quite peaceful, rustic and relaxing.  Kind of like a flat Elfin Forest ride without Del Dios Hwy or sections of Ramona (without the smell…).  There were a few rolling hills sections, including a 4.6 mile section on Hwy 1 (entered on a Fwy on-ramp…)…but if you do well on the flats, it’s a better course for you.   Just after the second SAG stop (50+ miles), there was about a 1 mile climb up Los Alamos/Drum Canyon to a summit…I saw at least 4 people walking their bikes…some others “paper routing” up the top…several with triple compacts in their granny gears.  The road was a little narrow, without a center line and there were cars coming down from the other side and around blind corners.  Once you crested the apex, though, the ride down was worth the climb, fast but very bumpy…(Paris-Roubaix anyone?) with switchbacks and tight corners.  Slow riders...and the very bumpy road.... took away some of the thrill of a fast downhill.

The overall route was well marked (taped arrows on the ground), but since there were so many people, there was always someone ahead of you to see where to go and turn.  I was also impressed with the traffic control along the route, cross-traffic stopped several times by traffic officers to let the bicyclist pass through, right turns onto busy roads were coned to separate the riders and bike lanes from automobile traffic.  On a difficulty scale of routes I rate the Metric Century a "6" (FYI, I rate the following routes as...Great Western Loop 9; Alpine Challenge 8; San Diego Century 7; Tour de Poway 7; Bike the Coast 4.5), but I understand the Century route was more difficult, but I wanted to sleep in another hour…Metric had an 800 AM start time.  Oh, by the way, the last hill, did hurt for some people (per conversations at the BBQ afterwards), but I sprinted with some people to the top and I am not the best nor strongest rider…and the last few blocks through Solvang, the sidewalks were packed with people were cheering you onto the finish, so it felt good and made you glad you did it.

The festival
The number of booths was the most I had ever seen at a bike ride, extending a good several hundred feet (most were also open the night before during preregistration)…the $20 half chicken BBQ was very tasty (don’t forget to leave your BBQ ticket in the room, especially if your hotel is in the next town over [Buelton 5 miles or Lompoc 14 miles away]).  If you are lucky enough to get a hotel room in Solvang (I tried about 6 weeks in advance with no luck…but others said they lucked out and got in on a cancelation 3 weeks before the event…conversations at the BBQ said they got reservations in Buelton 6 months in advance…I guess you can always cancel reservations so get in early), it would make a nice weekend trip for anyone else not riding with you…The Hitchin Post (steak and grill made famous in the movie Sideways and on the Travel Channel episode describing 10 great steak houses) is in Buelton, but you should make reservations (45 min wait without them…).  There were quite a few riders (I was bib number 2301 and in the middle somewhere) of all experience levels.  It was a fun ride.  I will do it again next year…   
Richard Ito

Quote from: orbeajellybelly on March 13, 2012, 10:17:50 PM
…Temperatures at starting time (630 AM 31°; 800 AM 40°) were especially frigid...

Anthony and Evelyn, take note of those temperatures for the start. It may be very similar on Mar 24 (in fact imagine an hour earlier with daylight savings in effect). Some of the roads in the report will be the same ones we're doing. Sounds like a great ride, Richard.