March 12, 2011 and we parked in downtown Solvang to get ready for the ride. It is 7AM and 40 degrees.

A few miles out of Solvang and after we ride through Buellton we immediately get onto Santa Rosa Road.




Milton about 15 miles into the ride, just getting warmed up.



Riding along Santa Rosa Road.



Turned onto Hwy 1 on Vandenberg AFB and right after this pic had to change my rear tire as it was slowly deflating. Why is it always the rear tire?

Just cruisin' along Graciosa Road on the way to Orcutt.




One of the several rest stops we visited along the route.




Riding along Foxen Canyon Road here are Milton and I, past all the vineyards and wineries.




About 70 miles into the ride and it is warming up to a max of 70 degrees.

Official photogs pic of yours truly, unintentionally color coordinated. Even though I don't look like it, I am having a good time, in fact much better this year than last, which was miserable due to the constant head winds.

At 85 miles, Foxen Canyon makes a left turn up a steep climb. Near the top I ran into my riding bud Grant Rahn from Whittier and San Clemente, motoring the 8% grade nicely in low gear. This was his 17th consecutive Solvang Century. The ride had a total of just under 5000 feet of vertical gain.

With about 10 miles to go we climb the last uphill at Ballard Canyon. This is the same road used in the Amgen Tour of California pro race last year when they held the Solvang time trial. A surprisingly large group rode up together. A total of about 5000 riders completed the rides. The finish was very uneventful as we crossed the line at Hotel Corque and received a single granola bar. We felt better after purchasing some local pastries at the bakery where we parked.