The Delta Century: 100 km on a 33-Pound MTB
In 1993, as a teenager, I embarked on my first 100-mile bike ride, the Delta Century, hosted by the Stockton Bicycle Club. Back then, I rode a borrowed Bianchi race bike with 12-speed Campagnolo components while my friend Ken tackled the challenge on a Motiv mountain bike from Costco. That experience was both daunting and exhilarating, leaving an indelible mark on my cycling journey.
Fast forward to May 2024, I found myself flying to California from Spain to celebrate my dad’s birthday. Coincidentally, the Delta Century was just a few days before the celebration. I decided to seize the opportunity and ride the event on my Raleigh M30 mountain bike, which had been stored at my parents’ house during the last decade. Given that I’m in much better shape now than in high school, I thought riding the 33-pound mountain bike with its mostly original components and knobby tires would be a fun challenge. After all, Ken managed it on an MTB as an adolescent.
I invited my friend Loren to join me as a 50th birthday challenge for him. While he was interested, he ultimately decided to wait until next year when he could properly train for the ride. So I was to ride the century solo.
Considering the bike’s age, I meticulously prepped it, replacing the cracked, dry-rotted 28-year-old knobby tires with new Sunlite (Chao Yang) 26×1.95″ ones from Lodi Cyclery that looked nearly identical. I cleaned and degreased the chain, waxing it with a candle I melted in a tin can, originally used for chicken noodle soup. Though the handlebar grips and Selle Stratos saddle were cracked or torn, I deemed them serviceable for the ride. I also bought a spare tube, tire levers, and a patch kit to augment the mini-pump I brought from Spain.
The bike was ready, and I was eager to ride it on its first triple-digit-mile journey. Fun fact: the Raleigh is the only bicycle I own (of seven) in the world that has not done a ride of at least 100 miles. (Even the 44-lb., 1-speed Huffy Cranbrook cruiser has managed that on no less than three occasions.)
However, the weather forecast for the Delta Century was far from ideal. Unlike the sunny, warm days I experienced during the rest of my visit, the day of the ride promised rain and cold temperatures.
The Stockton Bicycle Club even issued the following advisory:
The forecasted weather for Saturday’s ride is for widespread significant rain, and getting worse. It will be a cold, wet and windy winter storm. If you plan to ride, please wear clothing appropriate for rain and cold. Hypothermia can easily occur if you get wet and stay exposed in the wind and rain. Also, we have a limited number of SAG drivers, so if everyone decided to SAG in, we may not be able to accommodate everyone, at least in a timely manner. If you signed to ride the 100 mile ride, you may ride the metric century as an option, which we would encourage. Stay safe everyone.
-Stockton Bicycle Club on Facebook
Ultimately, they canceled the 100-mile option altogether, supporting only the 100-kilometer (65 miles) and 25-mile routes:
In order to better support riders tomorrow in the inclement weather, we are closing the 100 mile course. It will NOT be supported. The 64 mile and 26 mile will be supported, and you are welcome to ride either, and start as early as 6am. The heart of the storm is forecast to hit late morning, so it may be possible to have only light showers.
-Stockton Bicycle Club on Facebook
Disappointed but undeterred, I planned to do the metric century. If that went well, I would add another 35 miles afterward to complete a full century. I also tried to look at the bright side: instead of the UV index being a skin-damaging 8 like the day before, it would only be 1.
On the morning of the ride at the start–Jessie’s Grove Winery in Lodi–I was the first to check in and the third to start the ride. Of the original 170 registrants, only about 30 came to brave the weather. I was the only one on a mountain bike, which seemed fitting given the conditions.
The first half-hour of the ride was dry and pleasant, with no wind and minimal traffic. But soon, the rain began as a drizzle, intensifying throughout the day without respite. The Raleigh felt sluggish, almost akin to my Huffy cruiser, making it difficult to keep pace with the other cyclists. More often than not, the other cyclists on their road bikes blazed by me like Ferraris passing a Yugo.
At the Mile 20 rest stop, I encountered a friendly cyclist who suffered a flat tire just as he was about to leave. Another rider had already called for a SAG (Support and Gear) wagon, unwilling to endure several more hours in the rain.
After refueling with familiar rest stop snacks, I continued on a narrow, busy two-lane state highway atop a levee. The high-speed traffic made this my least favorite stretch, but it was mercifully short.
Later, I crossed magnificent metal bridges and passed a classic sports car shop, Morris Motors. My clothes were soaked, and I grew increasingly cold.
By the last checkpoint, a volunteer noted my uncontrollable shivering.
“You’re shaking!” she observed while I munched on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
With just 12 miles left, I pressed on, reminiscing about previous wet rides, including the 1999 Davis 200k Brevet. Despite the discomfort and fatigue, I completed the metric century. There was no way I was riding another 35 miles in those conditions.
Shivering uncontrollably, I skipped the post-ride lunch, jumped into my Chevrolet Malibu rental car, and headed straight to my parents’ house for a shower and dry clothes.
Despite the challenges, the ride was a memorable adventure. Next year, Loren and I will tackle the 100-mile option together, hopeful for better weather. The venerable Raleigh mountain bike will get another shot at entering the triple-digit mileage club.
Video
Below is a short video I made of the ride.
Ride Data
Distance: 65.2 miles
Ride time: 6h24m (10.2 mph average)
Total time: 6h53m (9.5 mph average)
Map/Route Sheet
A Week Later
Since I didn’t get to ride 100 miles this weekend, I did a DIY century ride on my Cannondale road bike in Colorado a week later.
Checklist for the 2025 Delta Century
These are notes to myself for the maintenance and prep work I should do on the Raleigh before next year’s ride.
Maintenance
- Replace chain link with master link and rewax chain.
- Make sure that brakes are not rubbing. The day after the ride, I discovered the front brakes were rubbing against the wheel with every revolution, contributing to the low average speed. After this discovery, I adjusted the brakes so they should be good to go, but I should check with a test ride to make sure they aren’t squealing since I didn’t angle in the brake pads.
- Nice but not necessary: replace the front cable shifter and housing, and replace the old, cracked rubber rim tape with cloth ones.
- Be sure to bring an adjustable wrench for the rear axle, pump, chain multi-tool.
For higher speed
- Pump up tires to higher pressure. Not sure what I used, but I’m guessing (by feel) around 30 psi. I should try 50 psi.
- Use SPD pedals instead of rat cage + PowerGrips. (Bring SPD pedals and shoes.)
- Reduce weight by not carrying things such as U-lock and external power bank, two things I needlessly brought with me on this year’s ride.
