Gran Fondo SLO

[norcalbiker]

Anyone here done this century ride before? I can't seems to find how much climbing involve on a century ride.

http://www.slogranfondo.com/

TIA

[chismog]

I haven't ridden the course but here's the profile:

http://slogranfondo.com/images/Garmin%20Map.JPG

If you're looking for a challenge, the Santa Barbara Century is the next weekend, 100 miles and 9600' climbing on an insanely beautiful course. It's totally epic!

[norcalbiker]

I haven't ridden the course but here's the profile:

http://slogranfondo.com/images/Garmin%20Map.JPG

If you're looking for a challenge, the Santa Barbara Century is the next weekend, 100 miles and 9600' climbing on an insanely beautiful course. It's totally epic!

I am not looking for a challenge, just wanted to know the total climbing to see if my wife can handle the century or the medio. Thanks for the info though.

[Steve in SLO]

The climb between 25 and 37 miles has some steep bits (15-18%)and is a serious climb. It is followed by a nice decent. Other than that it is pretty flat. There is usually a tailwind all the way home. A group of HTC-Columbia riders do it and a bunch of my riding buddies were in the lead group and were pulled all the way home by Tejay VanGarderen. They were grinning ear to ear as they pulled in. I was, unfortunately on call that day, but I will do it this year.

[norcalbiker]

The climb between 25 and 37 miles has some steep bits (15-18%)and is a serious climb. It is followed by a nice decent. Other than that it is pretty flat. There is usually a tailwind all the way home. A group of HTC-Columbia riders do it and a bunch of my riding buddies were in the lead group and were pulled all the way home by Tejay VanGarderen. They were grinning ear to ear as they pulled in. I was, unfortunately on call that day, but I will do it this year.

Thanks Steve. My wife and I will sign up then. It's a good excuse to visit our son in cal poly.

Btw, what's the weather like during that time of year in SLO?

[Steve in SLO]

Usually a chilly coastal 40-50s in the AM and 60s highs.
This year, who knows?

[norcalbiker]

WOW!!! This is confusing. I found 2 result and show 2 totally different total elevations. One is 6136 ft. and the other one is 3875 ft of climbing.

http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/935344

http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/935583

[Steve in SLO]

I was going to say it has to be the 3800 ft one, but I looked up the Lighthouse Century hilly course (virtually the same course) and it lists 4700' of climb. The 'flat' century is listed as 3500 feet of climb.
Anyway, the big climb is the one mentioned earlier. There is a bit of a climb into Cambria, other than that, there really isn't much, just rollers.

[Uncle Jam's Army]

Emilio,

I did the Lighthouse Century the month before doing Levi's Gran Fondo with you last year. The 4700 feet figure is about right. The climb up Old Creek Road is work, but it happens within the first 25-30 miles of the ride. Make sure she has a triple. The descent back down to the 1 is straight, fast, and fun. Not technical at all. All in all, much, much easier than Levi's Gran Fondo. And very scenic, too.

The rest of the ride is almost all flat, with only minor rollers, as Steve mentions.

Looking forward to riding Levi's Gran Fondo again this year.

Best,

Robert

[norcalbiker]

Emilio,

I did the Lighthouse Century the month before doing Levi's Gran Fondo with you last year. The 4700 feet figure is about right. The climb up Old Creek Road is work, but it happens within the first 25-30 miles of the ride. Make sure she has a triple. The descent back down to the 1 is straight, fast, and fun. Not technical at all. All in all, much, much easier than Levi's Gran Fondo. And very scenic, too.

The rest of the ride is almost all flat, with only minor rollers, as Steve mentions.

Looking forward to riding Levi's Gran Fondo again this year.

Best,

Robert


Robert,

Hey good to hear from you! No she does not have tripple but she do have a compact with 32 (mtn bike gear) on the back. She did the Lake Tahoe Century 2 weeks ago in cold, rain, hail and sun and she did okay. So I think she should be able to do this. I just did not want to take her with me without knowing exactly what kind climbing she'll encounter. She definitely cannot handle Levi Gran Fondo. Speaking of, we are doing the Levi again this year. This time I think there will be 5 of us plus you if you want.

[Uncle Jam's Army]

Robert,

Hey good to hear from you! No she does not have tripple but she do have a compact with 32 (mtn bike gear) on the back. She did the Lake Tahoe Century 2 weeks ago in cold, rain, hail and sun and she did okay. So I think she should be able to do this. I just did not want to take her with me without knowing exactly what kind climbing she'll encounter. She definitely cannot handle Levi Gran Fondo. Speaking of, we are doing the Levi again this year. This time I think there will be 5 of us plus you if you want.

Count me in.

[GuyGadois]

Here is the ride per my Garmin.

http://app.strava.com/rides/208598

I had a blast last year riding with Danny Pate for a good 15 miles and then sucking Tejay's wheel at about 25 mph into a major headwind for the home stretch. It is an absolute must of a ride. Maybe a Serotta get together after the ride?

GG