Industry Figure Tom Chappell

I tracked down an old e-mail about the joint and separate triumphs Ron and I celebrated at the Solvang Century in 2002, which I’ve posted in the appropriate timeline, though you can see it here.

We were much faster than I thought (if my math is right, I completed the 102-mile course in 13.9 mph saddle time, and Ron was even faster). Also, the total ascent was a mere 4,680 feet, not much more than the 3,650 foot Sunland loop that we’ve done twice in the last month.

Though in 2008, it’s going to be 104 miles, with 5,000 feet of climbing. But still totally doable! Why, the difference between 3,650 and 5,000 is just the addition of a whole ‘nother wacky, wacky Foxen Canyon Road, and yet another big hill on top of that — yay!