IM-Yeti wrote:
I'm totally unfamiliar with the area, but signed up and excited to race in a different location. There was chatter earlier about roads that were thought to be likely to be chosen for the route, but that had bad surface conditions. Anyone with insight on this bike course other than its flat?
I've ridden all of the course with the exception of the Waukeena/Netherlands stretch. It will be a wickedly fast course if there's no wind, which is possible. The pavement on Riverfront and Mill St. is great. South River Rd. from Mill St. to Village Parkway is so so. Village Parkway is great. Gregory is a bit worn out, but not terrible. South River Road from Gregory to Babel Slough is the sketchiest on the course in terms of potholes. Babel Slough is a kind of chip seal and is the roughest part of the course in terms of road surface (that I know of). When you get to Jefferson Blvd./84, you get to phenomenal asphalt. It's straight, flat, smooth as butter, and lightening fast all the way to the Solano County line, which is about 1/2 to 2/3 of the way down Ryer Ave. The pavement on the Ryer Ave. stretch from the county line to the turn around is fine, just not as great as what came before it. On the inbound route, the stretch of South Courtland Road between Jefferson/84 and Waukeena is rough, but it's pretty short. Again, I haven't ridden Waukeena/Netherlands. Clarksburg Road is generally good.
These roads are my go-to outdoor roads for most of the year. I can't express how great Jefferson is. And it's actually kind of scenic as you're ridding through orchards and vineyards. I can post photos later if you're interested.
Mike Sparks
I have competed well, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.