Tierra Bella April 9th in Gilroy?

[slinkedog]

Is anyone here planning on doing this ride? I was hoping to do the Cinderella, but with my illness and knee problems, I've lost 2 whole weeks of training and don't think I'm going to be able to do 65 miles by April 2. The Tierra Bella has s 35 mile option that I'm thinking of training for instead. Anyone else thinking about this one? There's also a 100K, 100 mile and 200K.

[snapdragen]

It's a very pretty ride, although I haven't ridden it in a few years. I'm usually working it, since it's my club's big ride. It's hillier than Cinderella, all the routes except the 35 mile option go up to Gilroy Hot Springs (one of jobob's favorite rides.....) Although I hear there may be some route changes this year, so no guarantees!

Cinderella is relatively flat, you may be able to do it. Heck, I just started training for it last week - a whole 20 miles on Saturday. :D

[slinkedog]

Hey Snapdragen! Are you going to do the Cinderella Training ride on Saturday that ACTC is hosting? I'd like to do it and see how it goes. I basically have not been on my bike for 2 1/2 weeks, and I have to give back the trainer I've been borrowing from my friend. Have to see if we can afford to get one for us.

[snapdragen]

I am - if you're there I'm riding a blue Terry.

[slinkedog]

Very cool! I ride a silver Specialized Roubaix and I'll probably be wearing a red jersey with yellow trim.

[slinkedog]

Hey Snapdragen... did you do the ride this morning? How was it? Where did you go? My husband and I did a short ride this morning as we had time constraints (we rode out a little past New Almaden and back home) and if I didn't know it before, I now know that I really gotta work on my climbing. I'm in really bad shape and I think there's a few good hills on that 60K course for the Tierra Bella. Have you ridden the 60K course before?

[jobob]

Hi - I'm not snapdragen but I've ridden out that way a few times (including today!). The 60k route ( map here (http://www.actc.org/tb/tbmap05.jpg) ) has some rolling grades but it's not too bad. It's a really nice route!

[snapdragen]

jobob the mountain goat says: The 60k route has some rolling grades but it's not too bad. It's a really nice route!

It is a gorgeous route - but you do need a little bit of hill climbing under your belt to enjoy the trek to Gilroy Hot Springs, don't you think? :) :) Of course, my only experience is the first turn up to the hot springs, falling over, and landing hard on my knee :rolleyes: .

Slinke-the ride today was fun, we still stayed on the Coyote Creek path, rode about 25 miles. I and a couple other women took off and flew quite a bit of it. I'm amazed at how good it feels - I've not ridden since last fall, my legs are feeling great. The rides are great confidence builders.

jobob - used different shorts today -- no owies this time around. :D Still starting to think about a new Brooks tho.....

[jobob]

Hi snapdragen, we're talking about the 60k here, which is basically the loop around the Chesbro Reservior (Uvas, Oak Glen) - no Gilroy Hot Springs in the 60K route.

The climb up to Gilroy Hot Springs (which is in the 100K), yep, that takes some training (huff puff!).

And then there's the added joy of the Metcalf hill for the 100 mi & 200K - I have yet to tackle that, but my Krebs map shows entirely too many triple Chevrons on that climb :p

- Jo.

(say, that's good news on the lack-of-owie front).

[snapdragen]

Oops! Duh for me :p :o Must be bedtime......

Did you volunteer to work at TB?


Hi snapdragen, we're talking about the 60k here, which is basically the loop around the Chesbro Reservior (Uvas, Oak Glen) - no Gilroy Hot Springs in the 60K route.

[slinkedog]

Thanks for the info, ladies! Yes, no Hot Springs on the 60k... thank God for small favors!! :) My husband is going to do the ride with me, so he can push me up whatever I can't make if it gets bad. ;) I need lots of time in the saddle, and I think I need some new shorts. My PI ones are not kind to what my three year old calls her "winkie."

I'm looking forward to the ride. Hopefully I'll get to meet you somewhere along the way!! Are you working the ride, too, Jobob? Good luck on Hamilton today. I'd never, ever make it up that thing. Sheesh. You guys are masochists. ;) My husband loves to ride that thing just so he can race cars on the way down. He's crazy.

[slinkedog]

Was the ride yesterday pretty much flat, and do you know the gal who is leading it is planning on using the same route every week? I really need to get in a group ride soon. I've never done one with more than two other people.

[snapdragen]

Yesterday was flat, I believe Anita is increasing the mileage by 5 miles each week. We will be doing some hills in the future, probably up to the reservoirs (Calero, Uvas). Come and join us, Anita and her husband Duncan take good care of you.

I just thought of something else, have you considered taking ACTC's academy? It's a great way to learn group riding skills--right jobob?

[jobob]

you betcha!

[slinkedog]

Sounds like a great idea! I have to check and see if I can swing the schedule. My 13 year old has a dance competition next Saturday and the Saturday after that, so those days will be shot. I'll go on ACTC's site and see what it's all about!! :)

[jobob]

There's a writeup on pages 1 & 5 of the ACTC newsletter.
http://www.actc.org/bbb/feb2005/0205.pdf

It starts on Feb. 26 - hope you can make it!
- Jo.

[slinkedog]

I'll check it out, Jobob. Thanks so much to both of you for all the helpful information!!! Can't wait to meet you both!

[jobob]

Good luck on Hamilton today. I'd never, ever make it up that thing. Sheesh. You guys are masochists. ;) Slinkedog, for what it's worth, less than a year ago I was saying I'd never climb up Diablo, never climb up Hamilton, never make it up {insert name of steep hill here}. It just was not going to happen, of that I was sure!

In fact, sometime this past spring Veronica had talked me into riding partway up Diablo with her, and, just between you and me, I was terrified at the prospect! I'm ashamed to admit that I was so relieved when she had to call the ride off that morning (her cat was sick and V. had to take her to the vet - that of course was not a Good Thing, but luckily Tilda turned out OK. I have a soft spot in my heart for that cat to this very day, and when I officially met Tilda a couple of months ago I gave her a surreptitious little pat of thanks).

This all changed sometime in October when I went on my first ride up Diablo with a group of Rivendell owners. My husband and I only made it partway up (up as far as V. was trying to get me to go this past spring) but still, I realized I could actually DO it!

Jo's Great Truths About Hills:

1) Go at your own pace. Don't let anyone make you go faster than what you're capable of, otherwise, you will burn out. Take your time, stop for short breaks. So what if you're slow, just the fact that you're doing it is awesome !

2) If you don't make it up the hill the first time, fine, it'll still be around for when you try it again. Sooner or later you'll make it to the top, and you'll feel sooo good about yourself.

3) Low Gears!! Make believe you're Lance, spinning up L'Alpe d'Huez. Of course, you'll be going about 1/10 of his speed :D but spinning is better for your knees and your stamina than grinding up in a high gear. Try to avoid standing too much, it can tire you out very quickly (that said, it's nice to stand briefly once in a while to give your backside a rest)


My husband loves to ride that thing just so he can race cars on the way down. He's crazy. Oh, the descent down Hamilton is the best part - what a blast!! Altho we don't race the cars down ... we get to a spot where cars can safely pass us and we pull over and wave them on past.

And then we often match their speed when we follow them, but not too close, don't want to piss'em off :D

Basically, slinkedog, don't write yourself off. If a 45 year old slightly overweight former confirmed couch potato can climb Mt. Diablo & Mt. Hamilton (albeit at a snails pace), then so can you. :D

- Jo.

[slinkedog]

Thanks so much for the encouragement. Blaine keeps telling me that if I have the attitude of not being able to do it, I won't. ;)

Yeah, I have a granny gear, and I'm not afraid to use it! I guess you just have to start working on those hills and keep trying. I'm still trying to get up the courage to tackle the one not far from my house that I died on when I first started riding back in July. I don't mind spinning up a hill. It's just the part where I run out of gears that I hate!! ;)

So how was the ride yesterday? The weather was beautiful until about 3:00 and then that storm started blowing in.

[jobob]

It was fabulous !! We were joined by another woman from ACTC whose pace up the mountain was very similar to ours, so we had a nice, companionable little group going.

The last few miles to the summit seemed to take for-EVER, mountains seem to be perverse that way :rolleyes: but it made it all the more sweeter when I finally reached the top - I let out a very LOUD whoop rolling up to the front entrance of the observatory.

The weather was great - it was chilly near the summit but I don't do well in the heat so I can't complain. There was very little vehicle traffic (maybe people were already off to their stupor bowl parties - fine by me) and it was lovely up there. I took some photos that I'll post, eventually. Even better, we encountered very few cars heading down (and did I mention the descent is a blast??? oops, I do believe I did). We were done before 3 so we missed the storm.

And the looks of awe on people's faces today at lunchtime when we were all talking about what we did this weekend, and I casually mentioned, oh, I cycled up Mt. Hamilton .... priceless :D

- Jo.

[slinkedog]

I'm so glad you guys had a good ride! I will try it sometime. I really will. Let me know the next time you're going when it's not a Sunday. I go to church on Sunday mornings. I'll get Blaine to come too so he can give me pushes along the way.

[cindysue]

HI there,

Just joined this discussion group. I'm planning on doing the Tierra Bella and the Cinderella. I did the Cinderella in 2002 and have been on bike hiatus (at least the longer rides) for the last two years, but started riding again about a month ago. Tierra Bella will be my *FIRST* century. I hope I'm up for it. My training to date has consisted of some short flat rides, a 50 mile flat ride, and a few hill rides (Mt. Diablo and Pig Farm & the three bears). I'm a slug up the hills, but I think I can endure the distance.

Cindy :)

[jobob]

Hi Cindy, and welcome !

My philosophy is, it doesn't matter how fast you go, just so long as you get there - no sense in blowing out your knees or what-have-you trying to make it up a hill faster than you're able. Low gears are your friend ! And as you build up endurance, you'll go faster.

- Jo.

[slinkedog]

Hey CindySue... I hope you have a blast at the Cinderella and the TB. Are you doing the full 100 miles for the TB? I'm only going to do the 35 mile route this year. Maybe by next April I'll be able to do the full century... although like Jo said, Metcalf does not look nice. ;)

Hope to see you out there!

[cindysue]

Hi Slinke,

I'm very excited about the cinderella. There are a couple girls from school going. Should be lots of fun! Yes, I'm doing the full 100 miles at TB. I've been training on the hills here in the east bay - but have slacked off the last week. I need to get back on it! I'm also planning on doing the Chico Wildflower ride.

Hmmm, Metcalf? I think I'll live in denial for the moment!

[BikeMomma]

Hi Everyone -

I've signed up for the 100k route of the Tierra Bella, as well. I'm extremely partial to the gorgeous scenery around Gilroy, as it's on the way to one of my favorite places, Monterey/Pacific Grove. I'm secretly thinking of using this ride to sneak over to my fav restaurant in Pacific Grove (Vito's). We'll see how wiped out I am afterwards. I don't know if I can resist though...I highly recommend that place.

Any tips for a TB newbie? I read some of the riders' reviews from last year and it seems that this is a great, organized ride. Let's hope there are no hit-and-run/DUI incidents though - yikes! :eek:

I haven't decided if I'll stay the night in a hotel over there yet. The drive to Gilroy from here is probably just over an hour and a quarter, which isn't bad. However, I am NOT an early morning riser.....getting up for work m-f is bad enough!! I'm doing the Cinderella, as well, and that one is an over-nighter, for sure. What's the closest (and cheapest - I AM on a budget) hotel to the starting point? It would be nice if I can just ride over, rather than fight for a parking spot (read that too).

Thanks gals! See ya there, possibly (although out of 2000 riders...how do you weed out a few? :rolleyes: ). I'll be the tall 30-ish ponytail gal on the white Cannondale and wearing a cranberry-color helmet....'course I may be meeting a few of you on the 2nd at the Cinderella....
- Kim :p

[jobob]

I haven't decided if I'll stay the night in a hotel over there yet. The drive to Gilroy from here is probably just over an hour and a quarter, which isn't bad. However, I am NOT an early morning riser.....getting up for work m-f is bad enough!! I'm doing the Cinderella, as well, and that one is an over-nighter, for sure. What's the closest (and cheapest - I AM on a budget) hotel to the starting point? It would be nice if I can just ride over, rather than fight for a parking spot (read that too).
Hi Kim, I kind of lost you here - are you asking about a hotel for the TB?

For the Tierra Bella, the website provides a bit of info at the bottom.
http://www.actc.org/tb/route.html

and the FAQ at http://www.actc.org/tb/faqs.html provides the following info:

Q - Are there campgrounds or motels nearby?
A - Check the following links:
www.usa-lodging.com/motels/califn/Gilroy.htm
www.gilroyvisitor.org/lodging.asp

Sorry I can't be more help than that, I don't know the area at all.

I won't be riding TB, I'll be working safety, so I'll probably be standing out at some intersection or corner trying to keep people from getting killed and/or going the wrong way :cool:

If I know where I'll be posted ahead of time I'll let y'all know.

- Jo.

[BikeMomma]

Hi there Jo -

Yea, sorry - I got a little long-winded there, didn't I? You interpreted my gibberish correctly - I was looking for hotel tips. Camping sounds fun, but a soft bed before a long ride sounds even better, especially since I"ll be on my own for this.

I checked out those links, but thought that one or two possibilities may have fallen through the cracks. That's me, checking all avenues before the decision is made. I'm sorta backwards that way....drives my hubby crazy. :rolleyes:

By all means, let us know where your post might be! I'll stop and say hi! :D
- Kim

[slinkedog]

Hey BikeMomma! Also check out Morgan Hill and south San Jose as options if you don't want to stay right in Gilroy or they're all booked. There's a nice Holiday Inn (but may be more pricey) in south San Jose right near the freeway that will take you to Gilroy. (It's about a 20 minute drive from there or so.) I think it's called Holiday Inn Silicon Valley.

[BikeMomma]

Thanks, Slinkedog! I'll check it out! :D :cool:

[slinkedog]

for the TB?

[BikeMomma]

No, I haven't had a chance to get back to the hotel search. I need to! Only 4 weeks away now. Ideally, I'd like somewhere where I could just ride over to the starting point and not have to fight traffic in the car. Hope the hotels aren't filling up too fast.

Lately I've been concentrating on getting my taxes done so that I can get my new bike, hopefully by the Cinderella. I'm spoiling myself "big time" this year. :p

[jobob]

By all means, let us know where your post might be! I'll stop and say hi! Lee & I found out that our safety post assignment will be the corner of Uvas Rd. & Watsonville Rd., between 12 noon and 4 pm

Alas, the 60K and 100K will have gone past there much earlier, so looks like I'm going to miss a lot of you :(

On the other hand, if anyone here is studly enough to be riding the 200K, you'll be passing by us so we'll cheering you on. :)
[I'm not positive but the 100 milers might also be passing through our post the time we're there - but I could be wrong]

- Jo.

[slinkedog]

Well, dang, dang and dang. What point is that in the ride for the 60Kers, do you know?

I guess we'll have to have a do-over for our President's Day ride sometime soon. When are you done with the Academy?

[jobob]

Hi Shannon-

The Watsonville/Uvas intersection is early in the ride for the 60K, maybe a quarter of the way through, and it's before you get to the Uvas reservior. You'll be approaching it from a different direction than the afternoon 200 K loop.

I'm bummed that I'll miss you folks, but the schedule actually works out really nicely for me. I found out just recently that I had to go to Denmark for work that first week of April - I very nearly had to miss the Cinderella ! :eek: - but instead I'm flying out the day after Cinderella (so I have to miss the Tierra Bella Worker's ride that day, rats) and I return home from Europe Friday evening, the day before TB. So in retrospect I'm very glad I didn't pull an early morning shift the next day!

I'm stuck with the Academy (OK, that's kind of uncharitable of me :rolleyes: ) until the end of May, then hubby and I are away on vacation for a couple of weeks, so I won't have a 'free' Saturday until mid-June, yikes. But we'll get together eventually. Did you make any of the Cinderella training rides with snapdragen?

- Jo.

[slinkedog]

I'm glad the schedule works out well for you. Denmark? Wow! Have fun!

Mid June is probably a good time for me because my allergies are going to start kicking in here pretty soon, and I'll be out for the count for a few weeks unless I can find some good allergy meds this year. Claritin ain't cutting it. Aroung mid to end of June is when they start getting better.

I did not make any of the Cindy rides with Snapdragen. They all didn't work with my schedule for one reason or another. However, CindySue and I had a great ride on Saturday. That woman is a WOMAN! She had just worked a graveyard shift at her job down here, drove over and rode almost 30 miles WITH NO BIKE SHORTS!!!!! We went from my house down to Chesbro Reservoir and back. She was very kind and didn't drop me, even though it was pretty apparent that she could have. We had a good time and I talked her ear off. She'll probably never want to ride with me again!!! ;)

[cindysue]

Shannon - don't be so hard on yourself. I loved riding with you - and I'd love to do it again soon. I won't be working in San Jose the month of April - due to all the organized rides (Cinderella, Tierra Bella, Chico) and a trip to Mexico (cruise on 4/15), but once your allergies are subsided and I'm done with finals (mid to late May), I'll be up for another ride. It would be great if some other TE beauties can join us. Hopefully the hills aren't too brown by then...............

Cheers!

[CorsairMac]

I
Mid June is probably a good time for me because my allergies are going to start kicking in here pretty soon, and I'll be out for the count for a few weeks unless I can find some good allergy meds this year. Claritin ain't cutting it. Aroung mid to end of June is when they start getting better.



Try homeopathic Slinke. I have the same problem - only mine always end up being sinus infections before they're done. Homeopathic seems to work for me much better than the Claritin And the Singulair I'm taking. There are several different brands out there - some will work for you some won't. But it's worth a try!!

[BikeMomma]

Hi Jo & Ladies -

Sorry to hear that we'll miss you at the TB on the 100km route. Bummer! Seems just as well that it will work out for you and your travel plans. Trip to Europe, eh? Lucky you, even if it's work-related.

Incidently, I finally got around to booking a hotel in Gilroy, so I'll have a nice, soft bed to snooze on Friday night. zzzzz....

See y'all there (& at the Cinderella :D )
Kim

[snapdragen]

Mid June is probably a good time for me because my allergies are going to start kicking in here pretty soon, and I'll be out for the count for a few weeks unless I can find some good allergy meds this year. Claritin ain't cutting it. Aroung mid to end of June is when they start getting better.

I agree with Corsair - check out the homeopathic options. Also, have you ever tried saline irrigation? Sounds gross, well, OK, it is kind of, but it helped my allergies bunches.

[Bike Goddess]

I think I should start a new thread, or someone should! Anyone besides CindySue doing the "Chico Wildflower" ? Hands up ladies- the jersey (classic one) is worth the effort! :D :D

I'm going to start lookin for places to stay the night before. Maybe we can do a pre Wildflower dinner (?).

[slinkedog]

Okay, I'm a little afraid to ask, but what is saline irrigation? Sounds like I could drown if I'm not careful! ;)

I will check out some homeopathic remedies. Any good sites to recommend for looking? I'm also going to try Flonase, which my friend who is a nurse recommended.

[SadieKate]

Hands up ladies- the jersey (classic one) is worth the effort! :D :D
I'm going to start lookin for places to stay the night before. Maybe we can do a pre Wildflower dinner (?).
Yes, the jersey is beautiful.

Get your reservations now!!!!!! The town fills up fast. Take the first available room you can find and then do your research for better, cheaper, or whatever places.

Everyplace will be jammed. The Sierra Nevada pub is always good and is large so it can absorb a lot of people. The brewery sells their team jerseys. Madison Bear Garden is a fun bar with all kinds of stuff hung from the walls and ceiling including a full size horse and antique water wagon (from the fire department).

[snapdragen]

Okay, I'm a little afraid to ask, but what is saline irrigation? Sounds like I could drown if I'm not careful! ;)

It's not pretty, but it did help me:

http://allergies.about.com/cs/treatment/a/aa040802a.htm

[cindysue]

chico -

I'm staying at the thunderbird Lodge. I booked it two weeks ago and could only get a "smoking" room with two beds. I'm going up the night before with two other gal-pals from school. We'd love to meet up with some TE gals for dinner.....

[CorsairMac]

I will check out some homeopathic remedies. Any good sites to recommend for looking? I'm also going to try Flonase, which my friend who is a nurse recommended.

sites: no I do all my shopping at the local Health Food Stores: Wild Oats, Vitamin Cottage, Whole Foods. The people there are very knowledgable and helpful and they have great return policies.

as for the Flonase: it is an Excellent product but it is a corticosteroid. I had to stop using it because I sing and the spray was thickening my vocal cords causing me to lose my voice. Zicam makes an allergy nasal spray that's OTC as do some other ones (drawing a blank on names right now {how Does one draw a blank?}) if you want to go that route.

*can you tell I have allergies? Lots of them? :cool: *

[slinkedog]

Oh, I sing too!! :) Cool! I'll have to see how it affects my voice. I did a whole bunch of singing last week and now I don't have any gigs for a couple of weeks, so I figure I can try it out without any pressue to have to sing. That's good to know... thanks for sharing your experience. Maybe Nasonex would be better for me if I go the prescription route.

The Zicam stuff I use for colds (the zinc spray), but I've been hearing that some people who have used it have lost their sense of taste so I'm a little afraid to use their stuff anymore. Probably a result of the zinc, but I'm still scared. I love eating way too much to lose my sense of taste!! :) There is a Whole Foods close to me, so I'll go check out what they have.

Oh, a couple more questions... how long after you started dosing did you see the effect on your voice and what dosage were you taking? Thanks!

[spazzdog]

Yo slinkedog! I didn't get ANY training in.

Come ride Cindy with me... we can moan & groan & self-flagellate ourselves for our foolishness.

It'll be fun, don't ya think?

spazz

[slinkedog]

I don't have a green card! I also don't think I can ride 60 miles yet. 30 is my longest ride so far. But the main reason I'm not doing it is that I have to pick up my 13 year old from the airport. She left Sunday for a Washington DC, NYC and Philly spring break trip. She's getting back on the 2nd. I would really love to try it with you even though I'd probably end up SAGging. ;) BUMMER!

[spazzdog]

SAG...

my soon to be middle name...

maybe...

butt salve anybody?

spazz-sagorama-dog :eek:

[CorsairMac]

Oh, I sing too!! :) Cool! I'll have to see how it affects my voice. I did a whole bunch of singing last week and now I don't have any gigs for a couple of weeks, so I figure I can try it out without any pressue to have to sing. That's good to know... thanks for sharing your experience. Maybe Nasonex would be better for me if I go the prescription route.

The Zicam stuff I use for colds (the zinc spray), but I've been hearing that some people who have used it have lost their sense of taste so I'm a little afraid to use their stuff anymore. Probably a result of the zinc, but I'm still scared. I love eating way too much to lose my sense of taste!! :) There is a Whole Foods close to me, so I'll go check out what they have.

Oh, a couple more questions... how long after you started dosing did you see the effect on your voice and what dosage were you taking? Thanks!

The original dosage was 1 spray each side twice a day - but I started getting hoarse - gee.....I'm thinking it was within 3-5 days. The dr then recommended the standard dosage of 2 sprays each side every 24 hrs.....which I changed to 1 spray each side every 24 - but once the damage had been started - no matter what I did I couldn't reverse it without stopping the spray completely. Nasonex is also a corticosteriod - I believe. Right now the OTC ones are the only non-steriodal sprays, I think. I switched to homeopathic after the Flonase experience......I sing twice a week (church choir) and I just couldn't afford the risk. Same with inhalers, I only use Albuterol now as needed coz everything else hurt my vocal cords. There is a saline nasal spray OTC that is very good - but darn if I can remember the name. I was using an allergy/hay fever homeopathic just recently that I loved and my friend still uses it and loves it by King Bio. You spray it under your tongue and it works great! But it was causing flushes (like I need more of Those!) so I had to quit. The best homeo I've tried so far is in a turquoise box - Whole Foods carries it....but darn if I can remember THAT name either! (can you tell I buy by the colour of the box??) Anyway - good luck on your journey, been there done that - even got the shots! Feel free to PM/IM me if you have any more questions!!!