TIERRA BELLA-200 KM (2010)

(April 17, 2010) Tierra Bella Double Metric, 125 miles, 8050' climbing. With Ward & Jack. 15.6 mph (235 course difficulty rating, like doing 2.3x flat century rides)
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Ward-o-data-with bottom graph just looking at the three significant climbs if the day. Mild grade/ tailwind Gilroy Hot Springs was fun, long Henry Coe was hard but with many recovery sections was also fun. Hicks Road was painful.
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Tierra Bella has changed through the years but certain things remain the same—always starts at Gavilan Junior College in Gilroy, always super support by the Almaden Bike Club, and the route will feature some attention getting climbs. Besides providing great support, the Almaden bike club knows when to change the route. The first time I did the 200 km ride, about 5 years ago, the ride headed north to populated (suburban ugly) San Jose and looped the steep streets at the base of Mt. Hamilton. Realizing that the bonus miles on this route were kinda pedestrian, the route changed and a year later sent us east to climb up to Henry Coe State Park, roughly an 8 mile 8% climb with some significantly steeper sections near the top. This year the organizers decided to throw in another “bonus climb” on the 120 route, and after Coe ALSO send us Northwest to go up Hicks Road.—a 2 mile climb that eventually features a steady 10%+ grade. We must be in Gilroy(PC)

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The weather has kinda “SUCKED” in the Bay Area up to now, and Gilroy—the garlic center of the world, is about 2 hours away—meaning a long drive (violates my stay over somewhere if further than 1 ½ hours away.) It was 58 degrees when I left my house at 5am but the thermometer steadily tumbled downwards to 48 degrees. Forecast was for low 70 high but I didn’t wasn’t to carry lots of clothes in the morning , but also didn’t want to freeze. (Alameden Bike Club only had a few missteps on this ride—they didn’t answer an email sent about drop bags—which wouldn’t have mattered as they didn’t provide the—drop bags at rest stop 1 or 2 would be a great way to improve this ride.)

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In the dark, cold, sleepy early morning I was in a surly mood when my chief teammate, Ward, came rolling by in the clown car. On this ride he might be my only teammate as only one other clubmate signed up, and Jack was getting over the flu. Our Club membership has “aged” in the last few years and less and less people sign up for long rides. In any event the sight of the clown car, and the sun finally rising gave me some positive energy.

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Temperature in Gilroy would creep up perfectly all day;

8am-47 (WNW 1mph)

10am-57 (NNW 4mph)

12pm-67 (N 4mph)

2pm-72 (N 4mph)

4pm-74 (NNW 5mph)

—with all the climbing mixed with sunshine and the first time the Bay Area was solidly in the 70's this year, the later part of the day would feel a like it was in the 80’s. Nice. Even the 47-57 degree period didn't feel so bad as was working hard on the flats, unlike the inability to get warm coming down Mt. Diablo at 45 degrees as Ward and I had done twice midweek.

Finally real food on a ride--lived on bananas and great seeded mini muffins. (PC)

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Almaden Bike Club had premailed map and wristband, had the parking lot well manned and organized, had porta potties on the road right by the start, so basically it was park your car, set up, no checkin, and just go. Jack was feeling like crap but he was game, so he found us in the parking lot and it was time to go—and this is not the ride to do when getting over the flu. It was a warm 48 and though took sock liners with no toe covers, mid weight glove inserts, light undershirt non lined knee warmers and vest, (so NO jacket, toe warmers, wool undershirt or heavy glove liners) and I was not too cold. Only mistake was that I had on a thermal headband and should have taken a regular headband to change into when it warmed up.

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Ride starts out North then East through suburban/ small town/ farm country Gilroy , and them do a rustic loop of Gilroy Hot Springs. We were riding fast to keep warm, and the loop was great as it featured the rollers that I love. The first rest stop was “only” at mile 17—I’ve gotten used to the longer spaced minimal rests stops on doubles or the “carry our own food’ self supported century rides, and really enjoyed having a rest stop well stocked with food. Here the same volunteer as always took photos of all the arriving riders. To supplement my Perpetuem/ Hammergel mix—I grabbed 2-3 mini muffins and a banana, which I’d do at 5 of the 6 course rest stops. Jack was on low energy so he wasn’t rushing out of rest stops today, and sometimes Ward and I would get bonus rest stop time arriving before him, so it we did have stops that were more leisurely than usually (though not as long as when we have a dozen riders and someone is always NOT ready to leave.)

At Rest Stop 1--Jack and I looking at something? Someone come up with a clever caption_____________________________(WI)

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Passing folks going towards rest stop 1 I noticed that I was dead wrong in my prediction of abundant Team Shack jersey’s. This climbing century gets many hard core riders so lots of people wearing Death Ride jersey’s, and the most Triple Crown Jersey’s I had seen on a Century ride. Saw one familiar tall guy wearing a Triple Crown Jersey, it was Sacto Doug II (as opposed to Sacto Doug I—ex club member) with his significant other “the boss” of the Doubles pelaton, Joni.

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Leaving the rest stop we crossed paths with a group of “Team Spike” folks, and we pacelined with them. Everything was cool until a group shot by—of course that got my dander up and on the next serious roller I went to the front leaving Gilroy Hot Springs, and on a gradual climb with a nice tailwind I tried to keep it at 20 with a long line following me. We hit the top hard, with Ward and Doug in the line behind me, and I pulled over knowing that I wasn’t going to be anywhere near the front on the ensuing twisty descent. Folks came by thanking me for the pull, and I rode down with Doug who “likes” downhills as much as I do. Ward waiting at the bottom for us, and we waited for Jack and then pacelined North thru the flat ag land.

The traditional "This is Spinal Tap" team photo taken by the Almaden Cycling Club at rest stop #1 (thanks Alamaden Cycling Club for great support)

Here we pulled a half dozen riders from Woodside, and unlike many folks who cling onto pacelines they were more than willing to share the work. So now 9 strong we steamed North into a slight headwind. We wouldn’t coordinate rest stop departures with them, we were probably stronger on the hills and they on the flats, but we always seemed to be riding together and working well for much of the day.

Protocol is that as we just know Sacto Doug II and Joni a little, we can't put up all the embarrising photos we took of them....yet.(PC)

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Around mile 41 we started on some neighborhood uphill, went down to a bridge by the Anderson Reservoir, flew over two bumps, and then started the 8 mile uphill to Henry Coe Park. I was feeling good—riding Ward’s pace until a guy with a Alta Alpina Cycling Club jersey flew by. I thought about “not” chasing but I wanted to find out about Kingsbury Grade on the Alta Alpina 8 (a climb Not on the Death Ride) so I put in a big effort to catch up with him. I finally pulled alongside and out of breath asked about the climb—his response—“oh I’m not a member of Alta Alpina, I bought this jersey at Sea Otter.” Fuck—that should be illegal.

I'm starting the climb up to Henry Coe (WI)

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Impetus out and I pulled over to take some photos and wait for Ward—as he does for me off the downhills. We finished a downhill roller and started another steep section of the climb when Ward blurted out “UH-OH” which sounds a lot like “JAY-GO, especially when said with a sense of urgency.” Apparently a rider was coming up fast so I took off for the rest of the climb, and as I never look back I had no clue he dropped behind quickly. Shot past a group of coeds who we had pulled earlier in the day and they yelled out “Diablo Cyclists—you guys are awesome.” What was also awesome was that it was actually warm on the climb so my breathing was good, and though a steep climb it had recovery sections, and no one enjoyed the climb more than me.

Ward half way up to Henry Coe. (PC)

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The temperature dropped a little at Henry Coe but it was windless and sunny among the oak trees.. I had more mini muffins and bananas and lived dangerously by both (1) mixing Gatorade with my remaining Heed—I think Hammer Nutrition warns of an impending explosion, and (2) eating a wrap with lettuce and mayo—things I usually have to avoid.

At the top of Henry Coe Jack goes hoolahooping. (WI)

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Eight mile twisty downhill on a steep narrow road was a clusterfuck. Loads of riders were riding up, and for the most part they were better than the Death Ride riders who ride 6 across the road on the climb. But cars were also trying to get to Henry Coe, and they’d pass the uphill riders in the middle of the road, and over more on “our” side around a blind turn. Great riding downhill in a 4 foot lane that sometimes suddenly closes to 2 feet. Around one steep hairpin I saw a minivan behind a group of uphill cyclist-‘fn great,’ I thought, ‘he’ll pass them on the hairpin like every other truck/ SUV did.’ But he actually stayed in back of the cyclists around the hairpin; I slowed when passing and yelled thanks which got his little kids stoked.

I'm happy as finally came off the steep traffic filled downhill from Henry Coe. (WI)

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It just seemed a lot longer getting back to the Anderson Reservoir Bridge than the climb earlier, and Ward Industries was filming a commercial. After the Chairman completed a wardrobe change (warm clothes were no longer needed) it was again off in a Northwest direction.

Ward Industries promo at the Anderson Reservoir Bridge that signifies the start of the climb up the Henry Coe.

(PC)

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We picked up the Woodside clan again and they did their fair share of pulling the line along with Ward and I.. Also picked up a few more riders who were grateful to be pulled in the slight headwind, which was fine as we felt good, and no one was sitting in and then sprinting off…except…. We also ran into Shaun Kelly and his white kit clad friend who sat in on the flats then took off on the rollers. I contested one series with them but it blew our group apart, so for the rest of the day when they’d come flying by we’d just let them go.

On one of the flat areas between climbs I'm pulling the paceline with the Woodside Boys, a good group to ride with who would do alot of work at the front. (WI)

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Funny moment at Calero rest stop. One Triple Crown clad women see Jack’s saddle, which looks like it was polished with Old English and while asking him “how do you get your saddle so shiny” starts caressing it. Jack says, ‘oh that “Bug Balm” or “Butt Butter” or …. in any event woman shrieks, we’re ready to call the CDC as she quickly starts wiping her hands vigorously on the grass

Ward resting up at the Calero Rest Stop which we'd hit twice from doing the bonus miles. (PC)

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More mini muffins and time to go to Hicks Climb, which we did with Dr Dave after a storm and crap was all over the road. We ran into the Woodside Group and this time I just sat in, knowing what a bitch the Hicks climb is with NO relief spots and grades consistently at 10-15%. It’s relatively short—but not short in a Tour of Flanders sense where you can just power over it—though a tri guy basically did.

Ward hitting the top of Hicks. (PC)

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When we hit the Hicks climb I just get zoned in—though I’m no longer springing out of the saddle like on the Coe climb. I’m moving forward at a good pace when a tri racer and two coed friends catch up—I stay with tri guy for awhile but he powers away in a 39x25. Meanwhile one of the coeds is yelling that they need to turn around as her saddle nose is straight up but tri guy doesn’t want to turn around or stop until the top of the climb. Luckily Ward did and fixed whatever problem there was.

Unlike earlier seat incident, Ward was unafraid to touch tri woman's seat on the climb, and finishes climb with her. And Ward didn't yell at her about the tri bars. As Dr. Dave says--"at least Cristine wasn't there to yell out 'Ward, you get her phone number.'" (PC)

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Apart from some faded red direction arrows, here we ran into the only Planet Ultraesque (eg bad) support of the whole day. A SAG driver in pickup was coming down Hicks and yelling out that you turn when you reach Mt Umunhum Road—he has deserted his turnaround spot 0ost. He later drove back up and I told him not to worry I had sent people up Mt Umunhum. And though Jack was really suffering post flu—he also did the whole climb.

Jack finishes the Hick Road climb (PC)

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But here it was clear that sag motorcyclists or a nimble SAG driver was needed—twice on the downhill he passed us in the pickup and then stopped dead on the road not far from where we were going downhill with some speed. Doug/ Joanie were riding up and saw me yelling at the sag. Good thing was that unlike Henry Coe Road, on Hicks Road sag from hell was one of teh few motor vehicles out.

This end o ride meal stinks (and it wasn't because of garlic)! (WI)

Rest of the trip was uneventful, now heading South so we had a tailwind. We kept together well until we’d hit rollers where Jack would suffer, and we’d wait and regroup with him on the next turn, where on the flats we three could paceline back to many of the people who had passed us while Ward and I were waiting on the side of the road. As Yogi Berra said, it was dejevu all over again.

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We’re back in surburbia—long stretches of flats which eventually go into long rollers, punctuated by traffic lights. I’m feeling good and though Ward is half dead he’s riding like Wilfred Peeters (watch 2001 Paris Roubaix) and powering over climbs and leading pacelines. Then I get my dander up as we get a prime example of what Bike Snob calls “shoaling”—where slower riders arriving at a red light, will push in front of the cyclists already there and set up in front of you even if this means going into the intersection/ crosswalk.

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Light turns green and I jump to the front revving up the pace—when the road flattens out Ward suggests we let some of the shoalers come to the front and do some work, which they do until the next hill and we take off. All of a sudden we’re back at Gavilen College, @ 9 1./2 hours after we started (8 hours of riding time.) Really looking forward to usually good catered end-o-ride meal. As trying to keep weight down will pass on the ice cream/ dessert. Walk to college lunchroom and they are serving SEAFOOD JAMBALAYA—with a vegetarian version for people who love fish like I do. Oh crap. No one in our group is real excited, and no dessert around, someone said all finished by the riders who did the shorter courses. Other folks sitting outside (beautiful outside now) also grumbling about the food.

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Later when we were back at the car and Doug pulled in wish I would have gotten a picture of his face when I told him what the end-o-ride meal was. Think this was a case like the Napa Century years ago getting a band that plays bicycle parts to perform at the end—what might have seemed like a cool alternative to the RIBS, CHICKEN, PASTA, BURRITOS at the end of a ride sucked.

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But all in all a real nice, and challenging day. I figured hitting the climbs hard and getting "wasted" would be good prep for the Alta Alpina 8 where I better do the 20,000' climbing at a more moderate pace--I hope I'm right.