THE LA WHEELMEN

 

FIVE COUNTIES CENTURY

(or FOUR COUNTIES MINI-CENTURY)

 

Saturday, October 8, 2005      8:00 a.m

 

WHERE:  NEW LAST YEAR, the century will once again start at the Church of Latter Day Saints parking lot in Lake of the Woods, California, which is north of Los Angeles near Gorman.  Take the Golden State Frwy (I-5) north to the Frazier Park exit (1st exit after passing Gorman).  At the bottom of the ramp, turn left and go 6.4 miles and turn right into church parking lot. Drive around back of the church and park on the far (west) side.   For those who have attended this event in the past, the church is approximately 2 mile before the intersection with Lockwood Valley Road where we formerly started the ride.

 

We would once again like to thank Bishop Conover for allowing us to use the church parking lot and also Janice Rubin who lives in Lake of the Woods and helped us find our new location last year.

 

WHEN:  Saturday, October 8th at 8:00 a.m.  PLEASE ALLOW TIME TO REGISTER AND BE READY TO START RIDING AT 8:00 AM.  There are no bathrooms at the start, but there are several available at gas stations and fast-food establishments at the freeway exit.  Plan accordingly.

 

WHAT:  Well sure, it's a 100 mile century (although many riders opt for the 88 mile option which cuts off about 1000 feet of the climbing), but it's more than that. It's a chance to ride in 5 different counties all in one day (Kern, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles) It's a chance to ride 88 miles while making only 5 or 6 turns with only 2 stop signs and NO stop lights (Add a couple of lights if you do the entire 100.)  It's a chance to see some absolutely beautiful country.  Look down on California's central valley from a height of about 6000 feet. Maybe see a condor or two. Smell the pine trees in the fall. Beautiful, beautiful scenery!

 

While this century is not easy (8000 feet of elevation gain with some long climbs), you can always opt for the mini-century which skips one county, 14 miles and 1000 feet of elevation gain.  It's really worth the effort. And of course with all that climbing, there come some downhills, one of which seems to go for miles and miles. To help you along in this remote area, there are two snack and water stops and a lunch stop. There is limited roving sag support, but we do follow the last riders in to make sure everyone makes it back. We don't do a lot of publicity for this event to keep our numbers low. That way we are able to provide the kind of personal attention to riders you simply won't find on other centuries. 

 

HOW MUCH:  Would you believe it--all this for  only $15 if you pre-register by Wednesday, October 7th ($20 if you register on the day of the ride).  You won't find a better deal anywhere.  We really, really prefer that you pre-register.  We don't need the extra $5 as much as we would like to know how many are coming.

 

REGISTRATION:  Pre-registration is open now and it couldn't be  easier.  Simply e-mail (preferable) or call (if you must) one of the contacts below and tell us you are planning to attend.  We are also requesting that you provide the name and telephone number of an emergency contact.  Please include that in your e-mail.  That's it!  No forms, no downloading, no fuss, no muss. You pay (cash or check) and sign a waiver at the ride start.  (If you find later that you can't make it, please let us know that too.)

 

Contacts:             e-mail:   FiveCounties100@earthlink.net

                             phone:    Bill Faulkner   (310) 379-1886

                                            Rod Doty        (310) 838-0843