MARCH 8, 2025
Interested in volunteering? Click here for info!
WE LOVE OUR VOLUNTEERS!
Questions about sponsorship?
Scroll down for more information!
REGISTRATION
What’s Included With Entry:
Your amazing, inspiring and challenging day in Southern California’s most popular cycling area includes well stocked aid stations along the route with a large selection of snacks and drinks; roving SAG support; paper route sheet and downloadable RideWithGPS files with all advanced features; festive finish line; finisher medal; per rider donation to Life Sports Foundation. T-shirt included for everyone who signs up before January 31st.
2024 Entry Fees*:
Century:
Earlybirds: Sign up by January 31st, entry includes t-shirt.
Standard Entry: December 31-February 23: $139
Last Minute Entry: Saturday before event until noon Friday before event – $189
Metric Century:
Earlybirds: Sign up by January 31st, entry includes t-shirt.
Standard Entry: December 31-February 23: $129
Last Minute Entry: Saturday before event until noon Friday before event – $179
1/2 Century:
Earlybirds: Sign up by January 31st, entry includes t-shirt.
Standard Entry: December 31-February 23: $109
Last Minute Entry: Saturday before event until noon Friday before event – $159
Registration for all divisions closes at noon Friday before the event or when SOLD OUT. There is NO ON-SITE REGISTRATION. You must pre-register to ride. Bandits will not be tolerated (or served at aid stations).
Please read our registration and cancellation policies before signing up.
*If you’re able to recruit an event volunteer to assist at an aid station or to drive SAG, please email us BEFORE signing up and we’ll provide a coupon code to use with online registration for an instant 40% off (once we reach our staff quota, this discount will expire).
** Tandem teams that register together may use coupon code TandemTeam for $20 off entry fees.
Registration Add-On:
Event jersey, made by Blackbottoms Cyclewear – $99. Jerseys ordered before January 15th (our order date) are guaranteed for pick-up at the event. Thereafter, if we didn’t order enough in your particular size, we will re-order AFTER the event and mail it to you.
Please read our general ride rules and cancellation policy before signing up.
Click the SignUp bottom to register online and pay by credit card (includes small service fee).
ROUTES
Choose from three scenic and fun route distances:
102 miles with 5600′ of climbing.
Lots of rolling hills on country roads through lush, green countryside. No super steep climbs or technical descents; but please expect some bumpy, less than perfect pavement (especially on Santa Rosa Road and Foxen Canyon).
Five aid stations along the route to keep you fed and hydrated.
Note: The week before the ride we will send an invite with links to download the RideWithGPS map and turn-by-turn instructions to your GPS device or use the app on your smart phone, using all the subscription based functions. While the course will be marked; we cannot guarantee arrows/signs won’t be stolen or moved; so please don’t rely solely on course markings.
A beautiful and challenging Metric Century route! 67.8 miles with 3,906′ of climbing.
The metric century is pure bliss: Rolling hills, long (but not steep) sustained climbs, and hopefully some nice tailwinds too! The metric starts off on the same route as the century for the first 31 miles (including the not great pavement on Santa Rosa Road); then rejoins the century route for the last 19 miles.
Three aid stations along the route to keep you fed and hydrated.
Note: The week before the ride we will send an invite with links to download the RideWithGPS map and turn-by-turn instructions to your GPS device or use the app on your smart phone, using all the subscription based functions. While the course will be marked; we cannot guarantee arrows/signs won’t be stolen or moved; so please don’t rely solely on course markings.
Half Century Route: 51.9 miles, 2,860′ of climbing.
The half century goes out to the first aid station on the same route as the full and metric centuries; enjoying the beautiful rolling hills of Santa Rosa Rd, then returns to Buellton on the same route.
One aid station at the turn-around point. Half century riders experience bumpy Santa Rosa Rd both out and back. (Sorry. Nothing we can do about this.)
Note: The week before the ride we will send an invite with links to download the RideWithGPS map and turn-by-turn instructions to your GPS device or use the app on your smart phone, using all the subscription based functions. While the course will be marked; we cannot guarantee arrows/signs won’t be stolen or moved; so please don’t rely solely on course markings.
HOTELS & PARKING
Host Hotels: PLEASE MAKE YOUR RESERVATION IN OUR GROUP BLOCK. Otherwise you’ll pay way more!
Our start/finish line hotel: Santa Ynez Valley Marriott, 555 McMurray Road in Buellton. 2024 Group rate: $239 (plus taxes) available Thursday-Saturday nights. Use this link to make your reservation (and you must choose your dates using the pulldown menu). To reserve by phone, call (888) 236-2427 and ask for the Solvang Century/Planet Ultra group. Rate expires January 29th. After that it will go WAY UP!
Just down the road from the start/finish: Hampton Inn Santa Ynez Valley, 600 McMurray Road in Buellton is also offering a discounted rate of $209 (plus taxes). Click here to reserve online. Rate expires February 16th if not sold out before (which it will likely do).
Down the road and around the corner: Pea Soup Andersen Inn, 51 E. Hwy 246 in Buellton is also offering a discounted rate. Call 805-688-3216 say you’re with Planet Ultra for rates and availability.
Start/Finish Location:
The start/finish area is in the parking lot at the back of the Marriott.
Parking:
If you’re staying at a hotel other than the Marriott, please leave your car and ride over.
If you’re driving in, please do not park at the Marriott, in the adjoining lot at Chumash Resource Center, other nearby hotels, or in the parking lots for McDonalds or Habit Burger. You will likely be towed away at your expense (and frustration).
There is limited street parking on McMurray Rd around the Marriott.
Other Parking Options:
City of Buellton has public parking, and authorized us to use space, at the following locations:
Ave of the Flags street parking: .5 miles from Marriott. There are about 40 spots in the center median across from the Buellton Chamber of Commerce. Click here to view map. Please do not park in the spots in front of restaurants or other businesses on Avenue of the Flags.
Jonata Middle School: 1.1 miles from Marriott. Click here to view map.
River Walk Park: 1.5 miles from Marriott. Click here to view map.
Oak Valley Elementary School: 1.7 miles from Marriott. Click here to view map.
Where ever you wind up parking, please be courteous and leave no trash; or we will not be able to use the parking for future events. We expect everyone to be the BEST stewards of our sport, at all times when participating in this event!
SCHEDULE
Registration Opens: New Year’s Eve. A unique tech tee is included for all earlybird entrants, through Jan 31.
Standard Registration Closes; Late Fee Kicks In: Midnight February 28th. Save money! Sign up early!
Registration Closes: Noon Friday before the event; or when SOLD OUT.
Rider Check-in / Packet Pickup:
Friday afternoon and evening: 4pm-9pm in the Figueroa Ballroom on the bottom floor of the Marriott.
Saturday morning: 6am-8:15am in the Figueroa Ballroom on the bottom floor of the Marriott.
Start Times:
Century: Open start window from 7am to 8:30am. No earlier or later starts please.
If you’re wondering what’s the best time for you, here are our suggestions:
Need 9-10 hours? 7am-7:15am
Need 7-9 hours? 7:15-7:30am
Need 6-7 hours? 7:30am-7:45am
Need under 6 hours? 7:30am-8am
If you’re super fast, sleep in. Start at 8:30. No starts after 8:30 or you’ll be behind the closing of aid stations.
Half Century and Metric Century: Open start window from 7:30-8:30am. No earlier or later starts please.
Time Limit:
All riders must be off the course by 5pm.
RULES
In addition to our general rules and policies, please be mindful of the following:
- This is a ride, not a race.
- Be safe and be courteous. We are stewards of our great sport of cycling.
- Wear your helmet.
- No headphones, ear buds, or other listening devices.
- Law enforcement in all towns along the route will be watching. Please obey all “Rules of the Road’ as required by the California Vehicle Code. A bicycle is a vehicle and subject to the law.
- Obey all signal lights and stop signs. Do not follow another group of cyclists through a stop sign or traffic light. Decide for yourself when it’s safe to proceed, after coming to a lawful stop.
- Share the road with cars and leave their share clear for safe driving.
- Ride as close to the right as is safe. If it’s not safe, take the lane; but ride as far to the right as feasible.
- Ride single file as often as possible, particularly when traffic is present; but no more than 2 abreast EVER.
- Signal or call out your turns and point out hazards to other cyclists.
- Pass other cyclists on the left only; and call out “passing left.” NEVER pass on the right.
- Carry an extra tube, patch kit, tools, identification and your cell phone.
- Enjoy the scenery. Take photos and share them on social media.
- If you’re falling behind the aid station closing times, you’ll be asked to either be shuttled forward or to switch to a shorter-distance route. Please respect course marshals and follow instructions.
- HAVE FUN and BE JOYFUL!
FAQs
When is the Solvang Century
For 2022, March 5th. Generally speaking, the event is hosted annually on the first Saturday of March.
May I register on-site at the event?
No, sorry. You must pre-register for this event. In 2022, registration March 1, unless we sell out first. Generally speaking, we close registration Wednesday at noon before ride day.
Is there a discount for tandem teams?
Yes! Register TOGETHER as a TEAM and use coupon code TandemTeam for $20 off.
Will there be food and water on course?
Of course! You’ll find a GREAT selection of edibles, and something special at each aid station. You’ll not go hungry or thirsty.
Is this a race or a ride?
The Solvang Century is a fun ride; NOT a race. For now, due to permitting restrictions, we’re unable to provide chip timing for the event. Local authorities rant to keep things calm and cool; expecting everyone to follow “rules of the road.” For some, timing creates a feeling of urgency, and a tendency to blow stop signs and traffic lights and to be impatient with aid station staff. So you’re off the clock for now. If you want to keep track of your time, there are lots of ways to do that. No doubt someone will create a Solvang Century segment on Strava so you can compare your time with others’.
May I ride an E-bike?
Yes, we love e-bikes, but with some rules:
- You must be self-sufficient. This means Planet Ultra does not provide SAG (on course pickup) for e-bikes. If you ride one, please make sure your route choice is appropriate for your battery life.
- Be courteous with your speed and riding style.
- If you use Strava, please indicate you’ve ridden an E-bike at this event. Some folks get bothered when segments are “won” by an e-bike rider.
What's the weather like?
Well, we don’t have a crystal ball…
But March is generally a beautiful time to ride in this area. That said, any type of weather, good or bad is possible. So please check the forecast before you pack and travel. Bring a variety of different layers.
Come prepared for anything from cold mornings in the 40s to warm afternoons in the 80s; and everything in between.
Rain is possible and wind is almost always a factor in the afternoon (although our route is designed for a tailwind on the return).
Have the conditions been challenging some years – definitely! Have they been spectacularly beautiful other years – absolutely!
How can I volunteer?
Send us an email and let us know you’re interested in helping out or you’re bringing along a friend or family member who’d like to help on your behalf. We offer 50% entry discount for riders who recruit volunteers!
Click here for more information on volunteering.
SPONSOR & VENDOR INFORMATION
Interested in sponsoring our event and/or participating with a vendor booth on site?
Information coming soon!
In the meantime, please feel free to send us an email at embassy AT planetultra.com.