2010 Sierra Century

Saturday, June 5, 2010


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Comments

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Hello,

This was my third century this year and by far my favorite in part because the weather was perfect.  The rest stop and people on critical intersections were very much appreciated as well.

One thing I do want to comment on was the lack of stickers in the last 30 miles.  I and three others got lost on the left turn to Joeger from Bell Rd because we did not see the sticker telling us to turn left.  Please put more stickers out especially in the later miles since cyclists tend to become farther apart from each other towards the end.  Having a sticker at every intersection is helpful even if we are supposed to go straight.  Then having stickers every once in a while on a long straight road would be also be good.

Do you know how many people participated in the ride this year?

Thanks much,
Joan O'C
Excellent, excellent, excellent is how I felt about the Sierra Century today. The new locale is close to home, the start/finish location at the High School was top notch, the terrain of the course was varied but not overly difficult, the rest stops were well supplied with food and drink but most of all the Sacramento Wheelmen had lots of worker bees working their tails off to make sure the needs of the riders were well taken care of. There were corner marshals through out the ride at the questionable intersections, SAG vehicles a plenty, rest stops were overflowing with workers, and on and on and on. For a new location, the Sierra Century had no short comings or glitches that I saw.

I really appreciated the Law Enforcement presence in Colfax. It appeared that every intersection through town had an officer directing traffic and it was needed! Traffic was very congested and I believe that the motorists were much better behaved because of it.

And I must say that the start/finish and all the rest stops were very well supplied with Porta Potties. Not once did I have to wait in line for anything today (water, food, or porta potties)...a far cry from my experience on a local Double Century across the causeway in Solano County a few weeks ago. I hope some folks from that club were taking notes today.

I recommend that anyone wanting to ride this next year to get their registations in early because once word gets out about this year's ride I predict they will sell out much faster in the years to come.
Steve
...I walked right up to the "A's" and the
nice lady put my wrest band on and I was all ready to go.  This was my first
organized "Century" and the first time making any serious climbs.  Making
the Sierra Century the most challenging sporting event I have ever
participated in.  By the Grace of God He gave me good people to ride with
and kept me safe! Thanks for putting on such a great event!

Greg A.
I rode the SC on Saturday.  Loved the ride.  Thought it was one best organized and sorted rides I have ridden.  Really like the traffic direction support.  Congrats.

I saved the map for next year.
Thanks,

Nick T
...Thanks for organizing the ride - it was really great (except for that  arduous climb into colfax!!)...

Steve C
I agree completely Steve. One of the best supported rides I've been on and the course marshals were a great idea. A couple of those turns could have easily been missed out in the back country. A very smooth ride from beginning to end. I also think you will see this ride fill up much quicker next year. The best part though was going "DOWN" Baxter Grade and "DOWN" Mt Vernon on the last portion of the ride back to the start!  :-)
 
Tim M
I agree whole heartily with Steve.  This was the 5 charity ride I've done
so far this season and it was by far the best!  This ride is destined to be one of Northern California's premier rides.  I will definitely be riding in it next year!  Major kudos to the Wheelmen.

Randy
Agreed! The ride was great, the location was great, the support was great, and the weather was great. I could do without the "Rough Road" sections, but luckily they weren't a huge percentage of the overall ride. This was my 16 year old daughter's first organized ride and the Sac Wheelmen have set the bar high with the quality of service, supplies, and facilities. I expect she'll be disappointed with every other ride she attends. (grin)

B.G.

Greetings Wheelmen of Sacto,

Congratulations on a fine '09 Sierra Century!

I just blogged about the ride so it is currently at the top of my posts.


Look forward to riding again next year.

Sincerely,
Carl Mindling

Thank you for a wonderfully supported ride and great route for my first century of the year. Plenty of food and support at the rest stops along with lots of clean restrooms. Definitely a plus. Only major suggestion would be the after ride food which was so-so with no options if you did not like the pasta and I needed more than salad to get me home to the Bay Area.
Thanks,
Tom

Thank you for putting on a really nice ride. Although, I was partial to the
old Plymouth course, (did that one many times) this one was good.
Please pass along a "thank you" to all your volunteers - I know it's a
committment to put on an event like this.
The food was great and I like that you provide the "breakfast" beforehand -
always nice.

Gail H

Where do I find the pictures? I rode the 100 miles. Great Century the
organizers treated us great. Only feedback. the post ride dinner did
not meet expectation.

Ed

Hi, just a note to tell you what a great ride I had yesterday. This was
my 4th Sierra - Slug Gulch, Hale Rd, and Calaveras (I didn't ride last
year because I didn't care for the Calaveras route). This one was the
best! I loved the route and hope you do it again next year. The food
and your volunteers were great as always. I'll be retiring in the next
few years and plan on moving up your way and plan to join the club.
Thanks again, Jan VW

On behalf of Team Revolutions, I just want to thank all of the people involved putting on a wonderful century.
 
Thank you!
 
John N.

I enjoyed my ride once again with you guys. Great job on the event.  I have
next year's date on my calendar.

John D.


First of all, I want to thank you and all the Wheelmen for putting on a
really great ride.  Although there are numerous dimensions that may define a
ride, I have to say that when I didn't have to wait in line (even at the
first rest stop) for a porta-potty, I knew this ride definitely was off to a
good start!  The road markings were excellent, & supplemented at critical
junctures by guides.  SAG vehicles were numerous and visible -- although I
didn't need one.  Rest stops were well-spaced, well-stocked, and manned by
cheerful, attendant volunteers.  Congratulations on a successful outcome
from many months of diligent planning and hard work by legions of
volunteers.

A request for the Wheelmen to consider in the future:  I personally would
welcome having a patch available, even if it cost a couple of extra bucks.
Also, the pin for climbing Slug Gulch is passe -- as is the bottle for doing
the extra miles and climbing of the "Challenge" route.  But maybe the next
ride director(s) could consider the value of making some memento(es)
available.

Thank you for your continuing attention to the details -- It's what made my
overall ride experience (and that of many others if the Bike Hikers email
list is an indicator) a really good one.

Dave

No vegetarian alternative pasta!! Rest stop on 40/58 route running out of food for we slower riders.
Almost a perfect day but what a total bummer to find out there was no meatless meal option at the end.  Major bummer and gaffe that spoiled an otherwise great day of riding.  Please tell me it was a just a mix up.

Kevin

I have to say I was disappointed in this year's ride. The course was not as scenic or, more importantly, challenging as previous years. It used to be that: "if you could do the Sierra Century, then you were ready for the Death Ride." The same could not be said of the new route.
 
The people of Rocklin/ Lincoln were not what I would call bike friendly. I have never been yelled at, cursed at, flipped off, honked at (for the expressed purpose of scaring the daylights out of you), or otherwise harassed by drivers at any other ride... ever. This was probably the most disappointing and unfortunate aspect of the ride.
 
The ride was brilliantly organized, however. My hats off to the Sac Wheelmen for their hard work. The course was well staffed, the volunteers were top notch, the course well marked, and there were plenty of porta-potties.

I hope that the ride will eventually return to Calaveras County and the Sierra foothills. If the route stays the same, I will have to think about whether or not I will ride again next year,

 
Respectfully,
 
Jay Pothier
Chico, Ca

It was a great day! Thank you to all the volunteers!

J. Martin


What a fabulous ride!  I had never completed an organized 100 and picked a great one to try for the first time.  I was so impressed with the route.  Your aid stations were well staffed and the vounteers so friendly and supportive throughout the entire event.  I also met some incredible riders along the way.

Thank you,
Sherri S.


Hi All,
 
Another successful Sierra Century (my 5th).  Thanks so much.  Your club really puts on a good ride and I hope to join you again on your next one.  Thanks you for arranging the cool weather as well. 
 
That being said, I feel that the Amador County rides were try magical, with the sustained climbs, amazing, long descents (Fiddletown Road and Omo Ranch School to the bottom of the hill).  I don’t want to get hung up on the past, but is there any way the next route can include longer climbs and descents, and to spend less time in the valley and more time in the hills?  The miles eaten up riding on the flats through Lincoln and Sheridan, though pleasant, seemed like mileage padding and might have been annoying if it were a hot day.  Would it be possible to spend more time in the hills and get the total climb up to 8,000 feet again?
 
John D.


Thank you for arranging the registration transfer...I really enjoyed my ride on Saturday! it was a wonderful service to be able to do this transfer thing and I know it was a lot of extra work for you as ride directors!

 
I  want to let you know how much I enjoyed being able to participate in the ride and what a great day I and my girlfriends had!
 
the route was delightful and a real eyeopener as to the beauty that lies so close to the highway I buzz through on going somewhere else a couple times a year. It was a delightful day and thanks to you and all the other volunteers for making it happen.
 
Thanks again,
 
Anita


Nathan H. wrote:
What a great ride. Kudos to you all at the Wheelmen!!

Thank you for a great inaugural Rocklin-based event. I rode the century and had a great time. Per usual, your support and rest stops were superb. While I dearly miss Slug Gulch or Jesus Marie Road, the Sac Wheelmen do a great job regardless of venue. Thank you, and hope for 60 degree weather again next year!
Gary F.


Just wanted to say thank you for all the hard work that went into this years Sierra Century. What a perfect ride. Everything was excellent and we were blessed with some great weather too.... I'm happy with the route choice. Fantastic roads and courteous residents and drivers made for a great day in the saddle.

Thanks so much!
-Chris G.


Hello,
I just wanted to say thanks for a great event. I loved the route (I live in Auburn) so I was familiar with most of it :) the rest stops were well stocked with a nice variety of foods.
The volunteers were very nice and helpful. I appreciate the effort put into running such an event. Well Done!
 
The only thing I would have liked to more of was sag wagons I only saw a couple during ride (Century) but I was not having a great ride (I felt weak most of the day) so I was not fully focused on what cars were passing me :) so I may have missed some.
 
Also the pasta meal at the end of the ride was a little bland, but other than that you guys are awesome and thanks again please pass along to your members the appreciation of them volunteering so people like me can ride with support :)
 
Thanks again
Sincerely

Jay R.


Hi there, First of all, I would like to thank you for, quite possibly, my best experience in doing a century ride!!!!!  I did the 100 and I have to say, I was sooooooooooooo pleased with everything: 
The rest stops were incredibly well stocked with healthy food, and more than enough friendly staff and volunteers.  The route was well marked out with staff helping to give directions. We NEVER had to guess or think about which way to go.  Everyone on your staff was so very friendly.  We had the best time and we were really just awe struck with the support and organization and ALL the food!!  :)  Thank you for making the ride such a great experience!
.....
Thank you, 
Steve K.


Hi, Saturday my wife and I rode my first Sierra Century and had a blast.  I rode the Metric Century ride and enjoyed the route and the people at the rest stops, bought some wine and had a great day until the end.

We walked to the tents after the ride for an expected relaxing meal and to talk with friends – I was tired and hungry.  I do not eat meat and have not for 40 years and my wife has not for many years as well.  Imagine our surprise to find out that the pasta dinner was a chicken/pasta dinner.  Here is what was on the website from which I registered:

    “At the conclusion of your ride, your experience will be enhanced by Buonarroti Ristorante’s delicious pasta dinner complemented by fresh-baked breads, lush salad and dessert. A perfect finish for your challenging day. Our post-ride feast will be served from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm.”

We have participated in many, many rides but so far yours has been the first that has not offered a meatless alternative.  Why is that?  Please let me know if next year will be the same or if a meatless meal will be offered in 2010.  As it was we had a miserable ending driving to the Galleria Mall area to get some food.

Mark D.



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