I had actually never done a bike race outside a triathlon before. But I pretty much expected it to be a closed off, nicely paved path to accommodate thousands of bikers. The Solvang Prelude wasn't anything like I had pictured it.
There are many distances including 100 miles, metric (63 miles), 50 miles, 25 miles, and 10 miles. I came here for the 25 mile race. There wasn't much information readily available. Once I registered, I received a card in the mail with an address and a pick up time. No other details. I never even received an email with any details of the upcoming event (which I have always gotten for every event I've done). There is also no official starting time since it's not a timed race. You can get here whenever and start whenever, but that is not really clear until you arrive.
I decided to bike here the day of the race instead of drive since I was staying in a hotel 5 miles away. The starting line is situated inside a park. There is a tent set up where you pick up your bib and directions on where to go. To my surprise, they do not close off the streets for this event. You literally bike in the road while traffic is free-flowing. What was the point in paying for this event?? I could've just came and biked the course without paying anything. The list of directions is long and there was no way I was following that. You're suppose to ride single-file and you usually lose people since everyone's doing a different distance. So it's difficult to navigate.
This was a very unorganized event and honestly, a little dangerous. Parts of it are really pretty but I was so cold and worried about getting in the way of cars and oncoming bikers to enjoy it. read more