Sovang's Finest Century - Partly Accomplished!

This ride was the best route I have ever done.  The course always changed and never did out-and-back routes that can sometimes get boring - like in the Solvang Prelude.  The morning was COLD.  My Mini registered 43 degrees at 6am.  I wore my sleeves on the rode but not my jacket - thinking it would warm up quickly.  I was wrong.  I didn't take my sleeves off until about 11o'clock.  To top it off, I wore a new bib and it started to get uncomfortable at mile 15.  However, the day was clear and crisp, the sun hit the vineyards and turned them gold and crimson red - it was breath taking.  We took Amour Ranch Rd that was fun to ride because of the up-and-down  hills - it made me feel like a kid, again.  It was in the middle of the prairie with a few oak trees and cows.  After the hills we turned right, around the mountain bend, and met an oasis of vineyards tucked in the valley - the descent and vista down the hill was exhilarating.  The next memorable stretch was around mile 50, where we followed a small valley of orchards and vineyards - Bellisimo!  But then the winds came.  Not fun.  By the time I reached the 61 mile rest stop - I decided I would cut the 20 miles through a canyon with two 4 to 5 graded hills to go over.  My reasoning was this - if I was barely making over the small 3-4 graded hills in the wind - surely the larger ones would undue me.  The nice thing about taking hwy 246 back was being able to coast for about two miles before going up another climb.  My 79 mile ride took me 5:20 hours to accomplish.  In the end, I was so happy to see my Mini.

Very cold morning.

Ostriches raised for yummy-in -the-tummy.

 

  Amour Ranch road leading to rolling vineyards. 

 

 

View at the end of the hills.  These pictures do no justice to the pure beauty of this place. 

 

 

 

Blue sky and rolling hills!

This steady climb is tough at around mile 24 - even the second time around.  I did this last week in the Solvang Prelude, but this time it was more stunning - the day was absolutely clear.

 

I took these snap shots to distract myself from the burning legs.

 

Long line for only 2 "port-a-potties" - ridiculous.

This years jersey sold out - too bad, it's pretty sharp looking. 

This road is the beginning of the last 50 mile loop for the century.