BCI - Ride Reports, Doo Dah

Ride Reports List

by John Kolacz -- BCI Member No. 3331

June 1, 2003 - Mano a Mano! Well, not really. Joel Salver and I certainly challenged each other over 300 kilometers, but Man vs himself is more like it. Riding 300 km - about 200 miles - will certainly test your resolve and your willingness to finish.

Joel and I rode the 300 km brevet in Solvang on March 29th. We had ridden a 200 km on Pacific Coast Highway in February, part of the series of qualifiers for the Paris-Brest-Paris ride in France coming up in August. The 200 km was a ride that helped us check out our cycling equipment and supplies needs. The 300 was more a test of physical ability. We learned a lot about both during these two events.

Planet Ultra put on both ride events and again performed exceptionally. Their checkpoints are placed thoughtfully, are well stocked and have the approach that the rider’s enjoyment comes first. The 300 km was my third event with Planet Ultra and I continue to be impressed by the organization, their routes (& route slips) and the incredible volunteers who staff their events.

Solvang is a cycling treasure that is a “must do” area for many riders. The 300 showcased rolling hills, challenging climbs and speedy descents that work the body plus the orchards with wild flower carpets in full bloom beneath, open fields coated in spring greenery, hillsides and valleys of live oak and the scent of new life everywhere that stimulate the mind. Add in the Pacific during the southbound leg from Morrow Bay to Pismo Beach and it is plain to see why people rave about any ride in Solvang.

There was a diverse group of riders at the start. I met several people who were doing their first 300 km/200 mile ride and I met a guy doing his 50th! A 390 temperature welcomed all to the start line that soon warmed up into an absolutely beautiful day. The time allowance to complete the ride was 20 hours, a limit ultimately achieved by all. But not without some difficulty. Anything can go wrong during a ride and, on a ride of this length, it will probably happen at the most inconvenient time.

And, of course, it did. At about the 83 mile mark, I had an old soccer injury flare up just below my knee. Being at about the furthest point from the start that was possible, and SAG not being a true option, there was only one choice, keep going. The injury certainly slowed us down, yet we joined forces with group after group of riders that enabled us to maintain a decent pace.

Hours later, as daylight faded into dusk, Joel had a problem with getting his headlight to work. Almost immediately, SAG appeared on the scene and came to his rescue! With repairs completed, we met some new riders, formed another group and cruised safely by Anderson’s in Buellton and back into Solvang.

Surprisingly, our elapsed time on the course was just over 13 hours for an average speed of just under 15 mph. The actual average speed for when we were actually riding was about 18 mph, not bad. It did show us just how much time we spent relaxing at each check point and just how much our problems really must have slowed our progress.

Next up is the 400 km, a length reportedly feared by many riders. This is a length not frequently ridden by many and combines a lot of different elements of riding. Elements like distance that approaches 250 miles, fatigue, extensive riding at night when speeds typically slow and temperatures drop, possible weather problems like rain for the entire ride and of course different equipment needs (like a backlit speedometer for night riding) and having to carry supplies for any equipment problems.

I’m hopeful to be physically ready for the effort. The 400 is on May 3rd in Santa Clarita riding the Ridge Route, the old passage through the Grapevine. With the elevation gain on this ride, it is one of the hardest rides in California. Unfortunately, my buddy is not going to ride this time. I trust the lessons learned on our past two rides will help me successfully complete this qualifier on the road to Paris.