For years I'd heard about the Chico
Wildflower Century, but never been there. It had a reputation
for great food, fun roads, huge turnouts and cool "event" jerseys
that you see everywhere.
We drove up the night before, staying at the Motel 6 in Oroville.
Not a bad place, especially for $37, and only half-an-hour away from
the start! Would we have booked something in Chico if we'd
gotten our act together sooner? Yeah, maybe... but low-rent
Oroville isn't a bad choice.
We arrived at about 7:40 and were on our way ten minutes later.
By 8:10am we're climbing up
Humboldt Road, which the locals use for hill climb time trials,
judging by how it's marked up. In some areas the pavement is
choppy enough that one is reminded of the
Tour of the Unknown Pave, er, Valley,
another ride run by Chico Velo.
Jeff K, at the right of the photo on the right, is my riding partner
for the adventure.
A good
shot of the climb up Humboldt (on the right) and the subsequent (and
fast!) descent down Hwy 32 (on the left). The start of the
climb is at 280ft, going to 1,020 at the top.
8:23 and we're
heading back down into the valley.
8:38am on Bruce
Lane
8:40am on Honey
Run Road.
8:48am on Honey
Run Road, with Butte Creek in the background.
8:50am on Honey
Run Road, at our first rest stop. Elev 361 ft.
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