Jim requested a ride report for the Stagecoach Century. Since most folks are more interested in where to drink coffee or what those wires in the pavement do, you might not be interested in a note about a bike ride. Just hit delete now. It will save you from a dubious description of a hundred miles on a bicycle.
It's still not too late to hit the delete button. The delete button is that device in most computer programs that allow you to get rid of dubious descriptions or other unwanted tidbits of information. To answer your next question, yes I have been reading way too much Lemony Snicket.
While the reports for the home ride were wet and miserable, the day dawned on Interstate 8 dropping into the Imperial Valley. The driving destination was Ocotillo, right at the base of the mountains. It looked to be a beautiful day. Absolutely clear.
Arriving in town, it was clear that bicyclists were taking over this town. The 1000-plus riders were going to triple the town's population this day. The ride got underway with the usual fanfare and bikes streaming this way and that. The Stagecoach Century promised 100 miles and only one stop sign. That stop sign was at the outskirts of Ocotillo and it didn't look like many riders paid any attention to it. Which is a shame. You put a stop sign at the edge of town on a pair of roads that hasn't seen this kind of bicycle traffic in years. Yet most failed to honor that sign. It had suffered through many hot and lonely summers with little or no traffic to protect. Then on the one day when there was traffic galore, what happened? Ignored. It lived its life for that moment. What an ignoble fate for such an honorable sign.
As we left town, we discovered what that sign was protecting us from: wind. A considerable headwind. We tried to loosely organize a draft line against the wind, but it was too early to be really effective at it. After a while, I looked down and noticed I was only going 12 mph. The winds were strong, but it sure looked flat. No, we are slowly gaining altitude. I felt a little better about that, but still the going was slow. That was going to be the story on the way out. Slow and bucking headwinds the entire way.
The rest stops were great! They were placed about every 12 miles apart and were stocked with plenty of ClifBars, fruit, red licorice, trail mix, and assorted energy drinks. And, of course, water. Plenty of water. You need water. Lots of water. The folks staffing the stops were very friendly and helpful.
The Stagecoach Century followed the Butterfield Southern Overland Stage Route of 1849. The Butterfield Stage Lines were acquired in an early corporate buy out by Wells Fargo. And proud of their history, Wells Fargo was the principal sponsor for this ride.
For the most part, this road takes a gentle grade (1.5%) into the mountains. Most of the route is through the Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Beautiful desert landscape - cholla, mesquite, and ocotillo. But I don't think I would want to be there in the summer. In fact I think the park is closed from June to September. There are a couple of more challenging climbs, but they were not too long. Each was about a half mile of 8.5% grade. But the gentle grade took its toll. The constant winds weren't fun either.
Eventually we reached the turn around. Then I could understand why everyone was smiling on the way back. Rather than working hard to get to 12 or 14 mph, I was flying at 22-25 mph! The lunch stop was just 2 miles after the turn around. This gave plenty of opportunities for fine-tuning your bike ride. Turn around at the lunch stop got you 92 miles. Out to the official turn around, nets you 96 miles. To the turn around twice yields 100 miles. After pushing against the wind for 45 miles, exactly what you choose there is between you and the bicycle gods. Trust me, it is an easy decision.
Lunch was great. They had piping hot chili and more cake, pie, and cupcakes than you could count. The folks there were friendly and helpful. We would have stayed longer, but the road was calling.
The return voyage was this side of heaven. Tailwinds nearly all of the way. Imagine maintaining 25-35 mph without working very hard. Now imagine that for over an hour. Yup. One hour. More if you didn't count the rest stops. We skipped the first rest stop after lunch because we were enjoying the tailwind. All rides should be like that. Downhill and downwind.
There was just one tiny problem. I hate to even mention it. But there it was. On the way back. Sweeney Pass. A 2.5-mile climb, averaging 3.6% grade, peaking to 9%. Not terrible, but at mile 85, you definitely notice it. Once at the top, the last rest stop was waiting. The final 12 miles back to Ocotillo rewarded you with the wonderful downhill and downwind.
That's what I'm going to remember: The downhill and downwind return.
Mike
Mike / 16 Jan 2006