It is not a race, so I didn't go all out, just treated it as a long training ride. I kept steady effort and pace throughout entire course. Even though I got tired in the last 30 miles, I didn't slow down.

RCC did not impress me at all. The course was very poorly marked - very annoying. I almost missed the first turn to a 100 and 50 mile course and followed 25 mile course, but turned around right away. Then all 3 of us missed the turnoff to a 100 mile course and followed the 50 mile course for 3 miled before we figured it out. Plus the course was 104 miles instead of 100 to begin with so we were in for 110. After that there were a few additional close calls, but we didn't take another detour. Also very few people were doing a 100 miles, only about 50 riders I think. Mostly 50 mile and 25 mile riders. That made it for a very lonely ride. I knew it was small scale ride, and didn't expect Elephant Rock crowds. But it was just WAY TOO small, I pass more people on my training rides in Denver. The 3 of us tried to stay together (sort of) in the beginning (actually, the guys ran ahead of me, but at least they waited at the first few aid stations). After mile 30 rest stop verve500 took off, and we didn't see him again till the finish. Alpine87 and myself stayed together for the next 40 miles. Then he decided to take a longer break at the 70 mile rest stop and I kept going. I passed about 5 or 6 more people in the next 40 miles. That's how lonesome it was. The aid stations were nice with ice cold gatorade and water, oreos, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and fruit. The volunteers were really nice and helpful too. One problem - they didn't know their mileage very well. At the rest stop 17 miles away from the 70 mile rest stop they told they were at 80 mile mark. ???!! By that time I had 92 on my computer and expected between 16 and 18 more. If it was only 80, that would mean 24 more (based on 104M course). I knew they were wrong and they were closer to the finish than 24, but for about 15 miles after that I rode not knowing how much more I had ahead, until I got into Canon City and knew it had to be just a couple miles left. Also there were no patroling or supporting vehicles on the whole course. I understand that the budget is limited. But basically if anything happened to me or my bike I would have been on my own until the next rider would catch up to me, which wouldn't happen for a while.

At the end of the ride spagetti lunch and wine from the hosting winery was served. That was nice. The food was good. The only problem is that they stopped serving at a certain time while a few century riders were still out there. I think some lunches were packed for them, but still, that wasn't cool I thought.



It's nice to pay $35 instead of $115 (like for the Triple) for a century ride, but I guess you get what you pay for. This race needs to get just a little bigger before I would do it again. Maybe better marketing? Not such pathetic web site?