July 4th, 2011

The annual FireCracker Century leaves Quartz Hill High School (corner of 60th Street West and Ave L) promptly @ 7:00am.

The ride will take us west out to Munz Ranch Road to Lake Hughes Market for the first stop. Then down Lake Hughes Road and through the canyons to the Castaic 7-11 for our second stop. Then through Santa Clarita to the Quizinos @ Sand Canyon & Soledad for a lunch stop. Heading back up Soledad we make a stop at the Acton Market. Then over Vincent grade to Sierra Hwy and a final stop at 7-11 on Sierra Hwy & Palmdale Blvd. Finish by following the Sierra Hwy bike path to Ave L and back to QHHS.
This century is unsupported and we recommend having completed a previous century at a 15mph average (under 7 hours). It looks like there is an option of riding down to Santa Clarita and taking the Metro Link back. Here is the 4th of July Metrolink schedule:

We have done this ride multiple years and with this experience we recommend that you carry 3 bottles of fluids. It is typically a 100 degree day and from Lake Hughes to Castaic there are some hot, exposed sections. Staying hydrated and fueled up are the most important and necessary responsibilitiess you will have to complete this ride. The stops we have laid out provide plenty of opportunity to refill and stay nourished without having to carry a ton of food but we still recommend carrying at least 2 hours of food to get through each section. In addition to food and water we recommend you carry a cell phone and have someone that you can call and get picked up if you are unable to complete the route. Also sunscreen, two tubes, inflation device, multitool, and cash.