A few observations from Saturday's Solvang Century:
1. Wind sucks.
2. The rolling hills of the central coast are beautiful this time of year.
3. The hot color in bikes right now is flat black. Really hot.
4. Some people just shouldn't wear spandex.
5. Kudos to the hippie who did the ride on an old beater Schwinn with fenders while wearing a long-sleeve cotton t-shirt and some tan baggies.
6. People with flat tires really need to get out of the bike lane.
7. People cheering here and there along the route are awesome.
8. Three cheers to the guy with the prosthetic left leg who positively replied "Pretty good!" when I passed him around mile 80 and asked him how it's going.
9. One upright middle finger to the blonde in the white BMW in Santa Maria who was the only motorist over the entire course who honked at riders for being in the car lane. What, late for your nail and/or spray-tan appointment?
10. Tail winds are sent from God.
11. Thanks to the all the cops and CHP officers who manned the intersections and actually looking like they enjoyed it.
12. Praise to the man from Jax Bike Shop at the mile 60 sag stop who had some extra Shimano cleats for sale. It would have really sucked the remaining 40 miles with a non-engaging left shoe.
13. I hope the guy I met in the registration line from Santa Cruz--who had never done more than a 60 mile ride--survived the day.
14. During the first 55 miles straight into post-storm head winds with more climbing than previous courses, I couldn't stop asking myself: "Why am I doing this?"
15. Hmmm....already thinking about next year!
*stolen pics off internet
*Stats: 6:14 ride time; 16 mph average; top speed 43 mph
