Gallery - 2011 Solvang Century
03/12/11
Series
(from Brightroom)
03/12/11
the route: 100 miles, 5,200' of climbing (and mostly at the end)
the starting line ... was a madhouse
and we're off, down avenue of the flags toward Santa Rosa Road
Santa Rosa Road through Santa Rita Hills, possibly my favorite cycling route anywhere
look! there is is, the Sea Smoke vineyard in Santa Rita Hills, home of the world's greatest Pinor Noir
riding through the orchards
some amazing vistas - would these be walnuts? not sure
entering Lompoc with my little pace group, 25 miles down, 75 to go
the 'Lompoc ghetto'; this industrial park is home to some of the greatest winerys :)
crossing the Santa Ynez River
paceline along route 1 - these guys were lean and fast
entering Orcutt - water towers old and new
out into the fields toward Guadalupe
checkpoint 3 - first pedal down in 66 miles - and there's nobody here [yet]!
looking happy - average so far 19.7mph - wow
dropped by my paceline, I am off into Foxen Canyon ... alone
beautiful old vines - they don't make 'em like this anymore
the final climb up Foxen Canyon is deceptive - on and on and on and on ...
beautiful relic of a bygone day
overlook into Firestone vineyard
the final climb before descending into Los Olivos
top of Ballard Canyon - ready to blast!
wheeee! (taken at 40mph do not try this at home :)
the vineyards flash by...
... and into the finish. Also a madhouse. Final time 5:42! Yay.