California Ride Report #5 The Century Ride

Saturday, the century ride that culminates in the climb up Tepusquet Road.  Here a view over the valley toward Santa Maria Mesa.

I took a break at the store in Sisquoc, sitting on a bench situated between the flowering plants, watching the world go by.  Not a bad way to spend 15 minutes.

Clouds were thickening and approaching from the west.  They were especially gathering around the ridge I was about to climb so I anticipated rain at the top.  I was in luck as I rode up the smooth surface to the summit, no rain. Not at all steep from the front side although it gains 900' and from the other side off #166, a little steeper but still not a hard climb. 

Here, I storm up the slope, although it does appear just here I am struggling a little.  Note I wore my OSU jersey to show my support for the Buckeyes.  Tough loss later that day.  After reaching #166, I climbed back up the mountain, descended toward Foxen Canyon Road and then it began to rain and looking to the west, there was a gathering gloom of sheer gray. The 25 miles back to Solvang into a 25mph head wind was going to be tough.  But wait, here is the Planet Ultra van at the bottom of the hill and we all pile in and ride back to town.  So, a little less than 100 miles, ahhhh only 63 actually but 4700' of climbing.  Today, is an epic day, the climb up Refugio Road, down to the ocean and back.  Probably the hardest climb in the area.
.