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.

[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?

[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!

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? ). 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

[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

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

- Jo.