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Thanksgiving Century Extravaganza
- Tarheel Cyclists, Charlotte NC -
Countless individuals have come to me asking:
"Where can I find good, long rides over Thanksgiving?"
"How can I battle Thanksgiving waistline creep?"
"When can I train for the December Solstice Centuries?"
Well, here's the answer to all these plaintive cries:
The Tarheels Thanksgiving Century Extravaganza!
Be the first to try out potential new Solstice routes, while
savoring some old ones as well. Join a small but indefatigable
community of century-maniacs pedalling into the now leafless
wilderness. Find an excuse to carbo-load even at this time of year.
There's a century every day, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and
Sunday. (Individual rides may be cancelled on account of weather.)
We are considering a 51-mile extra-credit option, for those for
whom a century "just isn't enough!"
Rides will start Thursday and Saturday at The Panhandle, SC-160
at US-521 south of Pineville; Friday and Sunday at Bain School in
Mint Hill, NC-51 at NC-218.
7:30am 28 Nov. Thu. - The Panhandle
7:30am 29 Nov. Fri. - Bain School
7:30am 30 Nov. Sat. - The Panhandle
7:30am 1 Dec. Sun. - Bain School
Meet for all rides at 7:30am. The rides are unsupported but come
with route sheets and/or maps that indicate food stores. For info
and updates, phone John Lee Ellis at (704) 527-3543 - preferably a
few days before Thanksgiving.
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Solstice Century Series 1991
- Tarheel Cyclists -
- Charlotte NC -
The 4th annual Tarheels Solstice Century Series will
again present a challenge to the seasoned cyclist,
while also demonstrating our relatively good fortune
for the Carolina climate. These rides are not for the
unprepared or the faint of heart, but are immensely
doable if you've stayed in shape.
Last year we had a sampling of Ultra Marathon riders,
some coming from as far away as Columbia SC, Lexington
and Hickory NC, Nashua NH and Gastonia NC. This year's
rides bring back favorite forays into South Carolina,
while adding some new ones east of Charlotte on less
familiar NC roads.
o Ride starts: at the Panhandle, US-521 at SC-160 or
Bain School, NC-51 at NC-218 in Mint Hill.
o Rain/snow/ice dates for Saturday rides are the next
day (Sunday).
Start time: 8:15am sharp - please arrive by 8:00am.
Exception is the December 1st ride, which starts at
7:30am.
Support - The rides are unsupported, although there
will usually be goodies at the ride-start. The routes
are constructed to pass stores that are open the day
and time of the ride. Still, riders at this level
should be largely self-sufficient. This is not a race,
but at this time of year it is an endurance event.
Pace - Fast-average (15-17mph) although you are
welcome to zip along as quickly as you want. Expect me
to ride at 15mph elapsed time, a kind of "pace vehicle."
Credit - Riders who complete at least 90 miles are
eligible for points in the Century Division of the
UMCA's National Points Challenge. Some routes have
cut-throughs, for those interested in fewer than 100
miles. Call before the ride.
_________________________________
7:30am, Sunday December 1, Bain School�
8:00am, Saturday December 7, The Panhandle
- rain-date Sunday December 8
8:00am, Sunday December 15, Bain School
8:00am, Saturday December 21, The Panhandle�
- rain-date Sunday December 22
8:00am, Sunday December 29, The Panhandle�
8:00am, Wednesday January 1, 1991
- start to be determined�
_________________________________
�This is also the 4th century in the Thanksgiving
Century Extravaganza. Riders doing this ride will get
credit for both series!
�As last year, our January 1st century may be bundled
with the Tarheels Polar Bear Metric, traditionally
starting at 10am in Davidson NC. The Tarheels' plans
are not yet set, so we will provide final details as
the date nears.
�Call beforehand to confirm these rides will be held!
Important: Please phone or leave a message at (704)
527-3543 the day or two preceding the ride if you
plan to come, and at any time if you'd like more
information. Or send a S.A.S.E. to 125-B Hilary
Circle, Charlotte NC 28217.
- john lee ellis
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The Tarheels Thanksgiving Century Extravaganza was a raging success,
as riders, bikes, and the weather conspired to give everyone a good time.
Ed Fisher & Linda Bousquet get the prize for longest commute to the
ride-start (1100 miles). Woody Graham from Columbia, SC, came in
second, with a 2-hour commute each way - which he did for each of the
four days. We are told his wife holds this as documented evidence
of a bike-deranged personality. :-)
Weather ranged from Polar to Subtropical. Thanksgiving day started
at distinctly below freezing, probably 28�-30�F, with icicles gracing
the ride-leader's beard. Highs Friday through Sunday were well into
the 70's, though, with a good measure of sun each day and balmy SW
winds. By Sunday, Gulf air had taken firm control, producing dew-wet
roads and misty conditions for the first hours, but by afternoon it
was again a sweatfest under partial sun.
We had an average of 6 riders per day, including the top mileage
Ultramarathon Cycling Association NPC rankings from New Hampshire
(m & f), North Carolina (m & f) and South Carolina (m). Such a
concentration of truly worn and weathered cyclists on one ride is
hard to find.
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