The 2008 MARDI GRAS CENTURY JERSEY has sold out. No more will be produced, so those who got one will have a very limited edition jersey to enjoy. The weather on ride day started out very well and most of the riders returned before the light showers started in the early evening. Very few of riders required a lift back to the start at the end of the day. Ventura Velo wishes to thank all our volunteers and sponsors for helping to make this another successful event.	The 2008 Mardi Gras Century rode on February 23, 2008. The 3 tours included a full Century and a Metric Century which followed routes similar to last year's. The Quarter Century rode along the same route as the others until it reached Foster Park and then it doubled back along the same path to the start location. The Century and Metric tours shared portions of their routes with the Amgen Tour of California (TOC) and as last year many of our riders enjoyed the seeing the crowds for that event along our route. Our riders went thru the shared sections long before the TOC riders but some tarried for a short while and watched the TOC peloton pass and then followed them to Santa Paula.
Form a Krewe and ride in costume. Last year the Hula Hos, pictured above, won as best costumed Krewe. Let the good times roll! PARKING is in the Harbor Cove Beach lot at the end of Spinnaker Drive. The ride will start with check-in at 7AM in the Greek at the Harbor and you can have King Cake and a hot drink for free before you "Let the Good Times Roll" down the road. If you want a bigger breakfast, you can order from their great regular breakfast menu.	The ride will be followed by a great MARDI GRAS PARTY! Yes, the Belly Dancers will be here again and you will enjoy a good after ride dinner prepared by the wonderful chefs at the Greek! All of this is included in you ride fee but, if you want to bring friends and family to this great party, the extra party tickets cost $20 each in advance and $25 at the door.
NEED A BIKE TO RENT? Contact Ventura Bike Depot. Shelly Sund, owner, has a good selection of road bikes among the many bikes she has for rent and sale. Shelly hosts the first rest stop for the Mardi Gras Century routes and is a valued sponsor. If you are from out of town and need a place to stay then check out this link for lots of local information.	HAMMER NUTRITION has joined as a sponsor of the 2008 MARDI GRAS CENTURY. The have supplied many of their products for our riders' enjoyment and we want to thank them for helping Ventura Velo and their sponsorship of the Mardi Gras Century. Registration by mail has ended, but you can still register on ACTIVE.COM until February 21. You can also register at the Carb Loading Dinner and Early Check-In on Friday, February 22nd, from 6 to 8PM, at the Greek at the Harbor. Walk-in registrations are also welcome on ride day.
Road ID is sponsoring the Mardi Gras Century this year and several local Starbucks will be donating hot coffee for the early rest stops. This is an obey all traffic laws ride. You must wear a helmet to ride. If it rains or ride day and you decide not to ride because of the weather, you can get a RAIN CHECK to ride in the 2008 Three Harbor Tour, which is set for July 5, 2008.	Cliff Shot has joined as a sponsor of the Mardi Gras Century along with others such as AGI, Starbucks, Green Thumb Nursery, Sam's Club, and Robek's Juice. Ventura Harbor Village hosts the Mardi Gras Century and is a great place to have fun so bring the family and friends along to enjoy it while you are out riding.