201 miles with 10,000 feet of elevation gain*
Locate ride on interactive map.
[Interactive Course | enlarge]
[Route Profile]
Solvang Autumn Double Century - Counties Visited:
Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo County
Solvang Autumn Double Century - Cities/Towns Visited:
Solvang, Santa Ynez, Los Olivos, Sisquoc, Nipomo, Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo, Pismo Beach, Grover Beach, Oceano, Guadalupe, Casmalia, Vandenberg Village, Lompoc, and Buellton
Solvang Autumn Double Century - Climbs:
Mile 25 (cat. 4), 50 (cat. 3), 113 (cat. 3), and 160 (cat. 4)
Solvang Autumn Double Century - Stops:
Mile 42 (Sisquoc), 65, 106 (San Luis Obispo), 147 (Guadalupe), and 177 (Lompoc)
Solvang Autumn Double Century - Description:
Solvang, the «Danish Capital of America», is one of the most popular cycling regions in California. The Solvang Autumn Double Century is one of two doubles in the area (the more challenging one). The other event is held in spring.
On the way north to San Luis Obispo, the route passes through canyons and over hills, and it visits several towns. Then it leads west to Pismo Beach, before returning south towards Lompoc, and finally back east to Solvang.
The steepest climb, Prefumo Canyon, is located between San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach. After the summit, which allows a breathtaking view of the Pacific, about one mile of road is unpaved, but in rideable condition (I got a flat tire though).
Solvang Autumn Double Century - Pictures:
[Wind Mill]
[San Luis Obispo]
[Prefumo Canyon]
[Pismo Beach]
Solvang Autumn Double Century - Personal Notes:
The riders departed from the host hotel in a pack, before the first hills started separating the group. Until lunch in San Luis Obispo, I rode more or less by myself, but decided to wait for Jim M. and his friend Don P. from San Diego, who were not far behind.
Don took some long pulls and handled the navigation (we did a few extra miles). Later on, I started leading more frequently. During the last hour or so, by now in complete darkness, we picked up the pace. We caught up with Tony M. from Cherry Valley, and he joined our paceline back into Solvang.
Solvang Autumn Double Century - Current Weather:
See also California Triple Crown.