This century is hosted by the Davis Bike Club. As part of their atonement for making us ride 106 in the past (110 last year because we got lost), this year, they changed the route to 96 miles. Hallelujah!!
The prior routes made us loop through Elmira Rd for the first rest stop at a school. This year, the first rest stop was at mile 25 at a fire station, eliminating the annoying out and back.
It was generally a flat course. I think anything under 3500 ft of elevation in 100 miles is generally flat anyway. This is one reason why they dub Foxy as a great century for newbies. Of course, they always fail to mention that climbing starts at mile 45sh and serious climbing starts after lunch at mile 52 and does not end until mile 68. Don't forget the wind! Let us not forget the wind please.
But overall, Foxy is a great starter century. It is a good event to end the cycling season for me.
DBC excelled in hosting this event this year. Rest stops were fully stocked, lots more choices in food, saw SAG several times, route was MUCH better than last year. The volunteers at the end serving food were awesome. Pasta, soda, and don't forget the ice cream.
Ride recap:
We rolled pretty early - 7:06. I loved that. No waiting, we just met and rolled.
Flat as pancakes for the first 25 miles till the first rest stop. Samantha and I were lucky to be able to draft behind a couple so we just breezed through to the rest stop. I pulled for several miles to help them out. That was hard work!
Sunrise....
The flat roads seem to never end....
The infamous Graffiti bridge. We cross this bridge again at the end. It's my sign that the end is near....
First rest stop. Since we were there pretty early, we avoided the mob invasion.
Major improvement from previous years is the water stop between the first rest stop and lunch stop. Mile 37sh. Last year was at the corner of Lyon Rd. Between the auto and bike traffic plus people lined up for the port potties, that was a nightmare. This year, Rolling Hills park, so much more manageable and not so congested.
Then the rollers start. Somewhere before the lunch stop, some minor climbing happens.
At the top of the first minor climb (if there is such a thing as minor climbing).
I made it to the lunch stop pretty early. 11sh I think and decided to wait for Samantha. Glad I did. I didn't eat a lot, knowing the major hills are right up ahead of me.
Lots of bikes parked everywhere at the lunch rest stop. I miss the Gran Fondo bike parking.
Then the real meat of the climbing begins.
This is my 3rd year riding this and I still can't remember the hills. I kept asking people "Is this the top?". They say yes, then later say "Sorry, we lied!" They are so fired!
So, as a reminder for myself next year, there are 5 total climbs before the last rest stop at mile 75. The last climb peaks at mile 68.5 so forget about asking anyone whether it's the last hill. Until you see mile 68.5, you are not done with all the climbing yet.
The 1st and the 4th climbs are the hardest and they are all quite long. Don't pay attention to folks who tell you they are quite short. If you are not used to climbing, if you can't see the top, they are long! I had to stop at the peak of the first one because sweat was pouring over my eyes and I can't see. This year, at almost 80F, it was getting hot.
A guy in a steel single speed bike and a loaded backpack passed me up when I was climbing Cardiac Hill. WTH! Then at the top, he started circling around waiting for his partner.
Here's the view at the top of Cardiac Hill (I think it's Cardiac. All the hills looked the same to me - up).
This is the first time I was able to take pictures.
Here's Lake Berryessa.
I knew it was hotter than normal because I finished 2 water bottles between lunch stop and the final rest stop. At mile 71, I was down to maybe 2 more sips and that is it. I remember thinking - well, I think I can make it another 2 miles if I ran out of water.
I was at the last rest stop way before 2 pm. I thought the wheat bread and cream cheese sandwiches were the best! They also added a carpet around the water station so our cleats don't get as muddy.
Kick ass women at the last rest stop!
It was nice to know that I only have 20sh more miles to go. And as always, the last 10 were a drag.
As we rolled along, we came upon a couple - guy was on a touring bike and the girl was on a cruiser. I asked her if she did the century on her cruiser and she said yes. It was a humbling experience to draft them. I also pulled for a couple of miles to help out.
I saw the couple arrive at the VMC and the husband said "My wife rocked it!". Well, she sure did! A century on a cruiser? I'd probably die if I tried that.
I filled my mountain feed bag with wheat thins to snack on during the last leg of the ride. Yuck. They tasted like sawdust, caking and yucky while eating. Reminded me so much of those Perpetuum tablets. Yuck again!
A watched pot never boils. So does a watched Garmin computer. The miles slowly ticked by as I was trying to get through the last 10, then 5, then 2. Headwinds. Always the headwinds at the end. I hit mile 95 and wait.... the route sheet said stop at 95. WTH? One more mile before I pulled in at the VMC.
I packed my bike, lined up for food, then had a great time rehashing the ride with Katryna and the girls.
Overall, Foxy is almost a rite of passage for me to end the season. I was more relaxed riding it this year and still made great time. The hills were, well, still there but nothing that difficult. I questioned my sanity again when trying to get through the last 10 miles. Why did I do this again? And swore I won't ride this again next year. But that was what I told myself last year.
Next year, I'm working on my flat and sprint speed. So I hope to ride for time next year.
Wait... didn't I say I won't ride this next year? Oh yeah.... I can't. I have the Nike Women's Half next year!! Oh well.
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