Solvang Century 3/10/12

The much anticipated 30th Annual Solvang Century for a group of VeloViet centurions has finally arrived. This event raises money for Specialized Coronary Outpatient Rehabilitation (SCOR), a recreational bike club that promotes cycling as a method of rehabilitative therapy for heart-related conditions. The century route was a loop that started from Solvang and passed through Buellton, Lompoc, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Orcutt, Santa Maria and Los Olivos.

Because of Solvang’s remote location, many of our riders decided to arrive on the day before. Solvang woke up on ride day to a blanket of fog and temperature in the mid-forties. Like moths being drawn to the light, the starting line at Hotel Corque gradually attracted the five thousand cyclists from various local hotels and remote cities. By 7 AM, most riders in our group were present and ready to go. We waited for Roxy, Candy and Reina and by 7:20 AM we assumed that they had already left so we began to roll out. We later learned that the three riders arrived early and decided to avoid standing in the cold so they started before the main group


Picture - Heading to the Starting Line at 6:30 AM, Foggy Morning and Temperature in the Mid Forties


Picture - VeloViet Line Up at the Start


Picture - Rolling Out at 7:25 AM

The first ten miles or so were cold as we glided through the chilly air. Being under dressed, my teeth and legs were shivering badly. To raise our core temperature we quickly formed a paceline, picked up the pace and took turn pulling as we headed west toward Buellton and Lompoc. The route meandered through city streets and the organizer did an excellent job in controlling the traffic for to us roll through.

Everyone was pumped with adrenaline so we pushed the pace a little while staying in a tight formation. Shortly before reaching the first SAG stop in Lompoc at mile 24, we ran into our tandem team Candy and Reina. After a brief rest room break and posing for some photos at the stop, we resumed our ride. By this time, the sun was trying peak through and it was much welcomed.


Picture - VeloViet Line Up at the First SAG Stop

Riders began to shed some layers as we worked our way through Lompoc streets and toward Vandenberg Air Force Base. By now everyone seems to have warmed up and more comfortable so we chatted and catch up while cruising at a swift pace toward the second rest stop in Orcutt. Since we had a small crew that day, we decided to ride together and to regroup at each rest stop if necessary.


Picture - Solvang Riders Heading Toward Orcutt

Everyone kept up well and about an hour later, we arrived at the second rest stop just south of Orcutt. We refueled, took some photos and as we about to resume our ride, Brian’s tire blew. Sang took the lead in changing the tire and within a few minutes the wheel was remounted and off we went.


Picture - Scott, John, Sang and David at the Second SAG Stop


Picture - Sang Repairing Brian’s Flat


Picture - VeloViets at the Second SAG Stop


Picture - VeloViets Riding Towards Santa Maria

For the most part, our ride to Santa Maria was traffic free. The road was lined with rolling hills, farm land and mountain in the distance. By then it was sunny and the temperature had risen to the mid-sixties. It was perfect riding weather.

The pace, rolling hills and distance slowly took a toll on some of us so we arrived at the third SAG stop not completely intact. We eventually regrouped. We took a few minutes to refuel and chat before rolling out again.


Picture - Duy Anh Rehydrating at the Third SAG Stop


Picture - VeloViets on the Road Again

We then headed south along Highway 135 back to Orcutt and then eastbound on Clark toward the canyon. The route was relatively flat along open land until we got onto Dominion Road. About half way through Dominion there was a sharp left turn at the bottom of a descent. That was the most hazardous part for me as I approached the turn with fairly decent momentum from the descent and almost lost control going through the corner. The tarmac surface was quite damaged around the area of the turn so my tires didn’t have good grip and was bouncing a little as I navigated through the corner. Needless to say, I didn’t take the turn smoothly and my heart must have skipped a few beats during those few seconds. I later remembered this must be the part that the route sheet warned us in bold letters “Be Very Careful on Next Turn!! NO BROKEN BONES PLEASE”.

We rode for another few miles before reaching the fourth SAG stop just before Foxen Canyon. Our route through Foxen Canyon was a sustained eighteen miles ascent so we took an extra few minutes at the stop to rehydrate, load up on fuel and shed any unnecessary weight before resuming.


Picture - John Refueled and Ready to Attack the Long Climb


Picture - Scott and Sang at the Fourth SAG Stop


Picture - Thang and Ngoc at the Fourth SAG Stop


Picture - Dave, David and Martin Chatting Before Riding Through Foxen Canyon


Picture - Ngoc and Duy Anh Refueled and Ready to Resume Riding

Stretching between Santa Maria and Los Olivos is Foxen Canyon also as Foxen Canyon Wine Trail. It is home to some of the most accomplished winemakers in California. This is where you can find a diverse selection of world class wines with varietals that ranges from syrah, grenache, pinot noir and chardonnay to sauvignon blanc and sylvaner among many others. We passed by a few vineyards along the way but the vines were still in dormant state so it was not as picturesque as they would be in the summer or fall.


Picture - Brian Passing by a Vineyard


Picture - Riders Going Through Foxen Canyon

We reached the last SAG stop at the top of the hill at mile 88. By this time, a few riders had fallen behind. We still had one climb known as the Wall ahead and we were going to regroup here and have everyone climb it together. We waited for a while and later decided to move on and to regroup at the top of the Wall instead. A steep hill at mile 88 could demoralize some riders but we all took it as a challenge and swiftly charged to the top.


Picture - David and Scott Climbing the Wall


Picture - Martin Attacking the Wall

Shortly after we reached the top of the Wall and while waiting for the remaining riders, we took some more pictures.


Picture - Martin, David and Scott at the Top of the Wall


Picture - Scott at the Top of the Wall


Picture - Sang at the Top of the Wall


Picture - Dave at the Top of the Wall


Picture - View of the Valley at the Top of the Wall


Picture - VeloViets Showing their Elation at the Top of the Wall


Picture - Enjoying the Vista Before the Heading to the Finish Line

After some waiting, we decided to finish the ride in two groups. The first group saddled up and descended south toward Los Olivos. The last stretch was mostly downhill with a few short climbs mixed in. It meandered through charming neighborhood, farm land and vineyards.


Picture - First Group En Route to the Finish Line


Picture - David and Martin Enjoying the Last Few Miles

In our last attempt to regroup and finish together, we stopped near the finish line and waited for the remaining riders. When we stopped, we usually do what we like best so we took more pictures.


Picture - Last Regroup Before Riding to the Finish Line

After some waiting, we assumed that someone in the second group may have had a flat so we decided to end the ride first. We reached the finish line a few minutes later and learned that the second group stuck together to accompany a couple riders who suffered leg cramps and that they were only a short distance away.


Picture - Bao Anh, Sang and Brian at the Finish


Picture - Dave and Keith at the Finish


Picture - Ngoc at the Finish


Picture - Sang, Kiet and Thang at the Finish


Picture - VeloViets at the Finish


Picture - Thang, Brian, Keith, Ngoc, Bao Anh and Dave at the Finish


Picture - Candy and Reina All Smiling After 100 Miles

Duy Anh, Bao Anh and Dave were due back in OC so they left after the ride. The rest of us went together to Bit o’ Denmark for lunch before parting ways. We were so hungry and the burgers were simply amazing so naturally it didn’t take long for us to empty our plates. During lunch we shared our experiences, expressed how we enjoyed the 100 miles and 5,100' elevation gain and discussed plans for future rides together.


Picture - Lunch at Bit o' Danmark

Over all it was a great experience for me. The ride started out cold but quickly became comfortable and we had near perfect weather throughout the entire ride. Many part of the route was quite scenic and could be more picturesque if the grapes were in growing or harvesting season. Everyone took turn pulling at one time or another but Scott and John put in the most amount of work so we were grateful for that. We rode most of the route together and had great fellowship along the way. It’s hard to top a ride like this. Going to a remote location and completed a battle alongside each other had really solidified our friendship and camaraderie. Without a doubt, it was one of the best rides I ever had and I very much looking forward to more rides with my fellow VeloViets in the near future.