While the Amgen Tour of California is the biggest cycling event to come to Santa Barbara County in terms of media attention and spectators, the long-running SCOR Solvang Century Bike Ride is far bigger in the number of participants.

The 25th annual event, a 100-mile bike ride throughout northern Santa Barbara County, drew as many as 5,000 cyclists Saturday.

“Hopefully we'll be here for another 25 years,” said Randy Ice, SCOR founder.

The Century began as a fund-raising effort for Specialized Coronary Outpatient Rehabilitation (SCOR), a recreational bike club that promoted cycling as therapy for heart-related conditions.

SCOR uses funds raised from the ride to sponsor two summer camps for children with heart problems, and the Make-a-Wish Foundation. According to the organizers, the event generates more than $100,000 each year.

The Century Ride route - and the half-century option for the less adventurous - begin and end at the Royal Scandinavian Inn in Solvang. The full century route took riders over 5,000 feet of elevation gain as they rode north through Santa Maria and back south through Lompoc.

The ride organizers pay the cost of additional law enforcement officers along the route to help direct traffic and maintain safety. The SCOR events do not close roads, as the Amgen Tour events did.

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Last year's Solvang Century was plagued by wind, rain and cold, which cut down attendance by about 2,000.

“Last year we were here, but we went wine tasting because of the weather,” said rider Tom Tisler.

He and his wife Sue, from Rancho Cucamonga, returned this year and decided to do the century ride on their tandem bicycle. The duo has participated in other century rides, but they said friends had always strongly recommended the Solvang ride.

“It's the California ride to do,” said Tisler.

For friends Erica Mazur and Kathy Gross from Thousand Oaks, the half-century ride was perfect.

“It's a beautiful event. Even the drive up in the morning was beautiful,” said Mazur.

“It was my first time here, but I've heard nothing but good things,” said Gross, who also said she plans to compete in a Half-Ironman triathlon later this year, which includes a 56-mile bike ride.

Bob Branhardt of Fullerton said he would definitely be returning for next year's ride. In fact, Branhardt has always come back, having ridden the Solvang Century for a straight 25 years.

“As long as the body is able, the mind is willing,” the 65-year-old said.

Mostly recreational riders participate, but this year Ivan Dominguez and Sean Sullivan, two professional riders from Toyota-United Pro Cycling who competed in the Amgen Tour last month, showed up to help raise money for charity - and to sign autographs.

“It's nice to ride something different,” said Sullivan. “Here it's nice because everyone's relaxed and having a good time.”

The pros reportedly finished the course in an average 6.5 hours.

“We had our boss with us, so we couldn't just race through,” Sullivan said.

SCOR also holds a Solvang Prelude ride, featuring shorter routes and less of a crowd.

For more information about SCOR, or for information about the Solvang Prelude ride on Nov. 3, call (562) 690-9693.

Glenn Wallace can be reached at 688-5522, Ext. 6007 or gwallace@ santamariatimes.com.

March 11, 2007