Apologies up front: This, like my “first marathon” and “first ultra-marathon” posts, is a longer one…
This past Saturday, I rode in Foxy’s Fall Century out in Davis, CA. Foxy’s, an annual event hosted by the Davis Bike Club, dates back to the 1960s, so it’s an established event that draws 1500 riders of all ages and abilities each year. The event offered three distances: the traditional, 100-mile century, a metric century (100 kilometers or 62 miles), and a 50-kilometer (31 mile) Family Ride. A friend of mine invited me to ride the 100-mile distance with him in late summer, so I shifted my predominately running-focused training to prepare.
The weather was excellent: clear and cool at the start (~50 degrees) and it warmed up nicely as the ride progressed. I’d guess it was in the upper 70s when I finished.
The 100-mile course which, according to my friend and several blogs I consulted during my training, has changed slightly over the years (route and actual distance); but, at its core, the circular course departs Davis and makes its way through Solano and Napa counties – through Davis, farmlands, vineyards, rolling hills (including a climb up “Cardiac Hill”), 
and then back through the farms into Davis. There were three rest stops along the route, with lunch being served at Wooden Valley School (~mile 51.) The Davis Bike Club’s website describes Foxy’s as “the ideal first century ride” and I would agree. It was just the right mix of flats, rolling hills, and good climbs/downhills to make it challenging yet achievable for a newbie…like me.
Course and event management was excellent. There were tons of volunteers and CHP to ensure riders stayed on course and the roads also had signage just to be sure (color-coded arrows stuck to the road.) The rest stops and lunch stop were placed at perfect intervals and were stocked with a great selection of food and water/electrolyte drink (stop two was water/electrolyte only though.) Lunch was great, though I didn’t eat too much. The ride started and finished at Veterans’ Memorial Center in Davis, which was a great location. At the start, they had coffee and breakfast-type fare, though I didn’t partake (I followed my normal fueling regimen.) Riders were provided a pasta dinner at the finish…I didn’t pass that up! They also had a bike swap meet, which was nice as well – I picked up a jersey for my wife to give me at Christmas!
I am not an experienced cyclist, but this was an excellent event and one I’d definitely ride again.
My Ride
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