The Final Tierra Bella Thread

OK, so I woke up at 5am, got cleaned up, ate breakfast (two packs of oatmeal and a banana), packed my bike and gear in the car and headed out at 5:30. I must have been hauling butt becuase I got to the college about 6:30am. It was raining when I pulled into the college. I had left my rain jacket at home by accident of course. This was going to be fun!

By the time I registered (see post above) and got my bike out of my car, it was about 7:30. I hit the road, and without pulling out my map or stopping to ask the organizers which way to go, I followed the pack and the pinky-orangy neon arrow. I got to the first rest stop at about mile 15 and was still full from my breakfast so decided to skip the stop. It was at this point that I was curious where I was and how long to the next stop. The map said that the first stop should have been Gilroy Hot Springs. WHAT???? I was definitely NOT at Gilroy Hot Springs. Where the heck am I? I kept going and asked the next person I passed what route they were on. The 200K, WHAT?????? Oh gee wiz - what a freaking idiot I am I thought to myself. I was already 20 miles into the ride and wasn't going to turn around, so I thought - heck I can do the 200K - it's only 30 miles more than the 100mi. Hahahaha. Of course my longest ride has only been 66 miles (the Cinderella). This would be doubling that! But, I'm a trooper - so I carried on.

At the 70 mile stop, I pulled in along with several others behind me, and the organizers were already starting to take everything down, They were dismantling the tables and putting the food away. They were literally putting food away while people were standing at the tables getting food. It was only noon at this point and people were still riding into the checkpoint. I thought this was not a good sign. Would all the stops from here on out be closed down? Do I have to finish another 60 miles without any organized food stops? Will I have to stop at a 7-11 somewhere along the way?

Hmmm, so I gathered up my bike and rode off. It was at this point that I realized I was not clipping in on the left side. I kept trying and trying, but no luck. The last stop was VERY muddy and I think that my cleat may have got compacted with mudd. I still don't know but I'm heading down to my LBS after I post this.....

So anyway I keep riding along with one cleat and it's OK because it's pretty flat at this point. But I'm really struggling whenever I stop and switch gears. My foot keeps sliping off the pedal and I just know this is dangerous to be riding this way. After about 5 miles of this, I see a rider pulled off to the side fixing her tire. She finished up and tries to help me but no luck. I call my LBS and they can't help me either. We are about 2 miles from the bottom of Metcalf at this point and we discuss how safe it is for either of us to try and climb metcalf (her tire, my un-clippable cleat). I just know it's going to be ugly if I try to climb that 11% grade for two miles straight with only one foot clipped in. The bottom of my road shoe is very hard and slippery and I can't stay on the pedal unless I'm in one gear on the flats.

We decide to skip the metcalf loop, shaving 25 miles (and a 1000+ feet of climbing in just two miles) off the 130 mile (200K), 5400ft elevation gain route. I was disappointed that I wouldn't have bragging rights for doing a 200K but I also didn't want to be telling this story from a hospital bed. We get to the next rest stop and I head over to the COMM table and ask for help with my cleat. The guy says to me: "I can pump up your tire or give you a ride, but I don't have any tools to help you otherwise." HUH! Some support! This is pathetic. I couldn't believe it. I was quite disgusted, but there was nothing I could do about it, so I left with one foot clipped in, riding the last 35 miles of a 105 mile ride with one foot clipped in. Wow!

I ride back the rest of the way with my new friend Lisa (and with one foot clipped in). I grab some food (lasagna, garlic bread, and salad). I then get dessert: apple pie ala mode. Yum! I'm ready to go home at this point, so say goodbye to Lisa and start on my 1.5hr drive home. It actually took me the full 1.5 hrs to get home.

I take a shower and relax a little and then head over to my boyfriend's house. He has made me eggplant parmesean. Yum!

The day itself was quite nice. Windy, but the temperature was perfect. So, lots of food and lots of adventure. I'm looking forward to the Chico Wildflower in two weeks. No riding next weekend - I'm cruising to mexico with my best friend from high school.

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Originally Posted by jobob

Cindy, didya see us, by any chance?

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darn, I didn't see you! I'm sure I passed you during that time though. Probably around 3:00ish. I was wearing a "hill slug" jersey. Everyone loved that jersey! I would have liked a girlscout cookie - especially since I missed out on the TE homemade cookies!

3-ish could have been when I was off to the side placating the hysterical nit in the van :p

Yikes Cindy, I'm really sorry about your mis-adventures ! If you're up to it, an email to the event organizers might be in order. I knew one of the rest stops was shutting down early but I was under the impression that it was only intended for the 60K/100K, but if it was in a location that was needed by the 100mi/200K then the organizeers should know about it and plan accordingly for next year. And it sounds like the route should have been better marked. Anyhow, these are things that can be improved so if you're willing then an email to TierraBella@actc.org would be helpful.

- Jo "just a flunkie" bob

Cindy,

Jobob is right, let the Tierra Bella people know what happend, you too Kim. I used to work registration, it used to run pretty smoothly. This year there is a new chairperson. :mad: OK, I'll admit it, she's why I didn't volunteer for registration this year.....

I'm not sure who was in charge of the rest stops and course marking, but they need to know what happend.

So now we have a cliff hanger (well sort of)- what was the outcome with your cleat?

Sorry my pal Mick wasn't on the ride. He's a bike mechanic (REI Concord) and would have known right away what was wrong- trust me :)

Have fun in Mexico! You definitely deserve it after yesterday. See you (mabye ) in Chico. I'll probably be wearing a Benicia Bike Club shirt, vest, or windbreaker- Yellow. If you see any yellows its proabably usums :D

Can't come to dinner the night before as I don't get off work until 5:00PM in SF :mad:

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Originally Posted by Bike Goddess

So now we have a cliff hanger (well sort of)- what was the outcome with your cleat? Sorry my pal Mick wasn't on the ride. He's a bike mechanic (REI Concord) and would have known right away what was wrong- trust me :)

Have fun in Mexico! You definitely deserve it after yesterday. See you (mabye ) in Chico. I'll probably be wearing a Benicia Bike Club shirt, vest, or windbreaker- Yellow. If you see any yellows its proabably usums :D Can't come to dinner the night before as I don't get off work until 5:00PM in SF :mad:

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Hey Nancy,

My LBS - California Pedaler in Danville - is the best! Ryan fixed me right up - no charge and friendly as can be. I love that shop! I'm not sure what he did but in about 15 minutes I was back to clipping in/out as usual. I'll keep Mick in mind if Cal Pedaler is closed or busy when I need them.

I'm definitely looking forward to my cruise. Maybe I'll try to get in a spinning class while I'm there (I've never done a spinning class before) just to keep up my training since I won't have access to my bike for 4 full days.

Hope to see you in Chico - Yellow will be there too! We need to try and meet up somehow. If not dinner, maybe later? Or hopefully we will all end up at the finish about the same time.

Wow, CindySue, sounds like you had quite a ride....

I agree that some of the intersections weren't marked. I myself went off course once, but soon realized my mistake when I came face to face with the very busy highway (I missed the right turn across the bridge, just before coming back into town). Imagining that the ride organizers wouldn't subject us to that, I reached for my map, and lo and behold, found that I (thought) that I had lost it. I ended up finding it waaayy waaayy deep in my jersey pocket when I got to my car. A very helpful gentleman thankfully had made the same mistake, but he had his map, and so I kept him within "asking" distance for the rest of the way in.

One intersection was really bad - not marked, no arrows, and the map was no help. I saw about three different street names posted on the street names signs! There were other ladies around me just as confused, so I wasn't the only one. I guess our instinct sortof took over and we just went the way we thought, which ended up being correct.

Other than that, the ride was terrific (well, except for the wind, but that couldn't be helped). The scenery was truly breathtaking, and I got an eyeful of all the natural beauty everywhere. I felt like I was in Yosemite, in the back country - it was awesome - all the pristine little creeks and streams. And, I got a real treat - as I rounded a bend, I was alone on a straight section of road, with no others in sight. As I looked up to see what lay ahead, I saw movement to the right and out stepped a doe...followed by another. The first scampered across the road, and the second did as well, and I thought I saw more movement, but I think by that time I was too close for another to come out. Now, I'm not a religious person, but I thanked aloud whoever sent that moment to me. It was one of those rare moments that only come along once in a while, so I'll remember those two beautiful deer on that stretch of wooded road for a very long time. Totally awesome! Can ya hear the angels singin'??? Man, I did!! I shared the moment with another woman a little while later while rounding the lake (THAT was pretty), and she said that she was treated to seeing some wild turkeys, so it seems that nature smiled on others, as well.

I had a disposable camera with me and took some photos of some of the scenery that was to the left after leaving the rest stop at the top of the hill. I had to stop for a couple photos of this view (some of the others were taken on the fly). The vistas were awesome, and for me the horse lover, there were a group of horses at the top of a hill, silhoutted by the sky, that I took a couple shots of. Following that, I bombed down the hill, being careful to stay clear of the loose gravel that a nice guy warned me about beforehand. As it was, I hit a patch and felt my back wheel sortof waver, but I passed through it quickly and kept going with no incident (wwwhheeeeeeeeee! Geesus, that was fun!!). I couldn't enjoy it completely however, as I was fighting the monster crosswind by then and had to really hang on tight. Speed, gravel, crosswind, and a fast descent...not a good combo.

The Hot Springs climb put it straight in my face that really need to get up in the hills for some good ol' leg and lung burnfests. Four words....It kicked my booty! I made it up the first switchback and on the second, just could not hack it. I had to walk it up the really steep parts. So for the rest of the climb, it was a combination of riding and walking. Saturday, needless to say, I'm heading for the hills after the regular Saturday am ride, not home! I was thinking afterwards that I just need to get comfortable in the hills. I notice that I get almost panicky and can't just relax and ride up them. I'm also kicking myself, because I didn't give myself a chance to get in any sort of rhythm before I stopped. Hindsight....I'll know for next year. I think that was a big factor in this, as well - it was my first time going up, and I had no idea what to expect. Next year will be different, no walking allowed.

I didn't end up going to eat afterwards, as I got back later than I expected and I still had to drive home to the hubby and kids. Although the meal sounded inviting, I had some snacks in the car, so I figured that I could just nibble on those on the way. It worked out that I got home at about 7pm. Not too bad, but sorry I missed you all at the meal. The dessert sounds like it was yum!!

Slinkedog, I got your message just as I was headed out of the hotel. I must have been somewhere in between the car and the room about the time you called to tell me about your child. I groaned too, because I know just how that is! Sorry you didn't get to get out and ride, but sick children are definitely more important. There's just no substitute for us Moms, is there? Hope your household gets better soon! I did almost call you after the ride, but by the time I remembered, I was already on the highway, and I didn't want to be one of those "drive and talk" people. Next time, though, cross our fingers that everyone will be healthy (and on time <-- me, habitually late) and we can hook up for realsies!!

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One intersection was really bad - not marked, no arrows, and the map was no help. I saw about three different street names posted on the street names signs! There were other ladies around me just as confused, so I wasn't the only one. I guess our instinct sortof took over and we just went the way we thought, which ended up being correct.

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Oh geeze, that's awful! :( Obviously that intersection should have been marked with arrows, but on top of that there should have been warm bodies stationed there too, to point out the way. Looks like we didn't have enough people on safety this year.

No worries BikeMomma, that Gilroy Hot Springs climb is challenging - Lee and I both had to walk parts of it our first time up, on last year's TB ride :o

- Jo.

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Originally Posted by jobob

No worries BikeMomma, that Gilroy Hot Springs climb is challenging - Lee and I both had to walk parts of it our first time up, on last year's TB ride :o- Jo.

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And now she flys up it, like a mountain goat :D

Cindy... I'm so sorry about your TB woes! But I'm So proud of you for making it the whole way and then some!! :) You're amazing!

BikeMomma... I'm so glad you had a beautiful ride! Last weekend I rode from my house down to Uvas Reservoir (probably the first one you went around) and back. CindySue and I rode out to Chesbro (probably the second one you went around) a couple of weeks ago... it is so beautiful back there right now! Lots of deer, turkeys, horses and wildflowers. I feel very blessed to have such beautiful rides so close to home!! :) Maybe next year we can try Gilroy Hot Springs together!

The kids are on the mend, but the baby (who got sick later in the day on Saturday) is still not too good. She just can't handle much on her stomach yet and is still running a fever. (Of course she can't hold down any Tylenol, either.) Blaine is leaving for a business trip tomorrow, so I hope they're all better by then!! My 13 year old got back from her school trip to Disneyland last night... thankfully she never got it. Only the 3 little ones.

Thanks Shannon - one of these days I'm going to drive all the way back to Gilroy and tackle Metcalf!

Glad to hear that the kids are on the mend. I hope the baby feels better soon! I bet your oldest had a great time at Disneyland - her first big trip w/o mom and dad!

Talk to ya soon!

P.S. I will be emailing the organizers today. Thanks Jobob and Snap!

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And now she flys up it, like a mountain goat

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Ha! Love it! You go, Jo! That'll be me next year, with luck and a little more preparation!

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Originally Posted by slinkedog

Maybe next year we can try Gilroy Hot Springs together!

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You're on, it'll be fun!! We just have to get our families healthy at the same time! THAT'S the hard part! Somehow, we've managed to keep everyone well here. Well, I had a cold shortly before the Cindy, but kicked it in time. Hope your baby pulls through soon....how old is she? My "baby girl" is two now....and bossy like she's 12! :p

My baby girl is almost 2... she'll be 2 in June. We also have a 3 year old girl, a 5 year old boy and our 13 (almost 14) year old.

The two littlest ones are still having a hard time holding stuff down. I've cleaned up a lot of barf since last Tuesday night. :eek: Hopefully tomorrow will be better!

I'm thinking I may have to do the Holstein Hundred with Snap... but she's scaring me off about the hills. Well, I'd have a lot of time to train. Maybe I could do it!! Gilroy Hot Springs would be a good training loop, I'm sure!

Hey slinkedog, whenever I get the flu or any upset tummy kind-of-thing, I go get miso soup.

It's magic. Really easy on the belly and I think it has healing properties because within 15-20 minutes my tummy always feels better. Maybe the kids would drink a bit of "Japanese magic potion" :)

spazz

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And now she flys up it, like a mountain goat

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Pardon me while I laugh .... "fly" is not a term I use to describe me climbing hills, "plod" is way more accurate. But I get there eventually !
There's a reason why all my enroute photos from our last trip up Diablo showed SK, V, akaKim et al. as teenie tiny little specs way off in the distance :o (yeah, we stopped a lot to check out the scenery, yeah, that's the ticket)

The Holstein is a ride I've been wanting to do - it's August 20th this year.

- jo "wait for meeeeee" bob

Hey Spazz... There's a great little sushi place just around the corner from our house... that's a great idea! Blaine is leaving on a business trip, so maybe we'll have to go get some sushi for me and miso soup for the kids for dinner tonight!! :)

So Jobob, registration starts May 1 for the Holstein. Wanna do it? I'll talk to Blaine, but I'm pretty sure we can swing it.

I swear it works... when I lived in NYC I used to pick up nice chicken soup, but it didn't work for me.

On a whim I grabbed some miso at a Japanese place and I felt so much better. From then on I have sought it out (or sent someone) when I feel yucky in the belly.

sorry about the slight hijack...

Hey Cindy... let me know when you want to try Metcalf. It's not that far from my house. I'll ride over there with you and wait at the bottom. ;)

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Originally Posted by slinkedog

I'll ride over there with you and wait at the bottom. ;)

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Hahahaha. only if you have homemade cookies. Whatever happened to those anyway?

Check out the reply from the TB folks. They didn't even address the SAG issue or the fact that the reststop was closing at noon! Isn't the G in SAG for gear?

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Thank you for the feedback. I am sorry for your troubles. Thank you for the input on the route markings between Pink and Orange. The Orange route turned right at the 3.3 mile mark while the other colors turned left. Next year you might try the Friday evening early check-in and then you can start riding when you want. We are always looking for how to improve.

Franz Kelsch
ACTC Webmaster

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Originally Posted by jobob

(yeah, we stopped a lot to check out the scenery, yeah, that's the ticket)
- jo "wait for meeeeee" bob

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'Tis not the destination, but the journey.

This made me think of a thread over on bikejournal where someone was asking if he should log the miles he puts in towing his son in a trailer. Heck, yeah! It's the memory! My ride log always lists everyone who goes with me, maybe some wildlife sightings (which may be the riders), the flowers, whatever . . . even the cookies. :p

Are you angling for more cookies Sarah? Come do Primavera this weekend. Maybe some will be arranged.

V.

Geez, I'm really embarrassed by this response. It comes close to putting the blame back on you. :mad:

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Originally Posted by cindysue

Check out the reply from the TB folks. They didn't even address the SAG issue or the fact that the reststop was closing at noon! Isn't the G in SAG for gear?

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Thank you for the feedback. I am sorry for your troubles. Thank you for the input on the route markings between Pink and Orange. The Orange route turned right at the 3.3 mile mark while the other colors turned left. Next year you might try the Friday evening early check-in and then you can start riding when you want. We are always looking for how to improve.

Franz Kelsch
ACTC Webmaster

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