Tierra Bella Century?

**tealamb** · 03-17-2008, 04:25 PM

Hi all

I've lurked here for awhile, and decided that I need to knock it off, and just jump in and start posting!

I'm curious about the Tierra Bella in Gilroy (April 19th). I've never ridden it, and would love to get your opinions about it. I'm thinking about the metric, but I thinkin I'm going to have to kick up the training just a tad.

I did the Wine Country Metric last year, which was a great experience for my first organized/supported ride - it wasn't too hard, was absolutely beautiful, and had great food. So, I guess I'm wondering how this might compare. It appears that there's quite a bit more climbing involved, and fewer rest stops, but I'd love to hear from people who have actually done it.

Thanks!
Sarah

**tealamb** · 03-20-2008, 07:54 AM

Welp, against my better judgement, I went ahead and registered for the metric. This will definitely motivate me to ride more regularly!

My husband and I plan on doing increasingly longer rides on the weekends - I think this weekend we'll be going up Stevens Canyon to Mt. Eden (pausing for a moment at the memorial for Kristy and Matt), Pierce Rd to Mountain Winery, and then, getting lost in the maze of Saratoga burbs on the way home. At least this is what usually happens...

All in all, it should be about a 40 mile ride.

I've done some searches, and read some of the older threads about Tierra Bella, but I'm still interested in hearing any tales about previous years' rides, and any advice TE-ers may have, especially re: the ride up to Gilroy Hot Springs!

Sarah

**maillotpois** · 03-20-2008, 09:15 AM

Never done this ride - but welcome to TE!

**jobob** · 03-20-2008, 10:32 AM

Hi Sarah (eek, not another Sarah!)

I've ridden the Tierra Bella metric once. I've also ridden essentially the same route a few more times since it's one of the 'graduation ride' routes for the ACTC Academy.

Here's my old post from that first Tierra Bella ride (skipping down memory lane ...woo woo):
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?p=7965

For what it's worth, I found the climb up to Gilroy Hot Springs moderately difficult for me that first time (it was also very warm out that day which didn't help), but it's since become much easier for me.

That was my second metric century, ever - my first being the Cinderella a couple of weeks earlier, which had much less climbing.

I don't think you'll have any trouble with it. And it's a very well supported ride, IMHO. Have fun!

**tealamb** · 03-21-2008, 10:11 AM

Thank you both, for your welcome, and for the information.

Jobob, thanks for pointing me to that thread. I'd missed it. Looks like the climb up to Gilroy Hot Springs is roughly comparable to the climb up OLH, except less steep? I've ridden OLH quite a few times, but not since last fall.

We'll be riding this with a group of guys we ride with pretty regularly, so it should be fun. I'm looking forward to it. I'll be sure to come back and post a ride report afterwards.

Thanks again.

**jobob** · 03-21-2008, 11:03 AM

ACTC has a pretty large database of Bay Area climbs (aka 'Billy Goats')

http://www.actc.org/billygoats/bgoats.php

The climb up Old La Honda from Portola Rd to Skyline Blvd is given a difficulty rating of 5 (ascends 1475 ft in 3.9 miles), while the Canada Loop, which includes the climb up to Gilroy Hot Springs, is given a difficulty rating of 4 (ascends 1020 ft in 17 miles).

It's all rather subjective, but hopefully encouraging.

[Ed to add: Take those ratings with a grain of salt. Sierra Road is also given a 5 in this database, which makes it in theory only as tough as OLH. Not !!! ]

**Veronica** · 03-21-2008, 11:41 AM

Was it Old La Honda that I rode with you Jo? Whatever it was, it was NOT as hard as Sierra.

V.

**jobob** · 03-21-2008, 12:12 PM

That's right V - on both counts.

**snapdragen** · 03-21-2008, 01:03 PM

jo - don't you think that if she can ride OLH, Gilroy Hot Springs should be a piece 'o cake?

///snap who hasn't ridden either.......

**jobob** · 03-21-2008, 01:34 PM

Hiya stranger! How you doing?

That was precisely why I said a few posts up that I didn't think she'd have any problem with it.

I just thought I'd throw in a bit more data to support my theory (tho that kind of backfired).

**melissam** · 03-21-2008, 02:21 PM

Originally Posted by jobob

It's all rather subjective, but hopefully encouraging.

[Ed to add: Take those ratings with a grain of salt. Sierra Road is also given a 5 in this database, which makes it in theory only as tough as OLH. Not !!! ]

Jobob,

Thanks for the link to the climbing database, as well as your edit. Geez, I'm planning to climb OLH tomorrow for the first time ever. When I saw it was rated the same as Sierra, I started to have second thoughts.

-- Mel

**jobob** · 03-21-2008, 03:04 PM

No worries Mel, it's not remotely same.

Have fun, it's supposed to be lovely out tomorrow!

**melissam** · 03-21-2008, 03:26 PM

Originally Posted by jobob

No worries Mel, it's not remotely same.

Have fun, it's supposed to be lovely out tomorrow!

Oh good, it'll be a piece of cake then!

I'd ask you where you're riding tomorrow, but that would be a total hijack of the thread, so I'm not gonna do it.

**maillotpois** · 03-21-2008, 03:35 PM

Originally Posted by jobob

No worries Mel, it's not remotely same.

FWIW, I completely agree.

**melissam** · 03-21-2008, 04:27 PM

Originally Posted by maillotpois

FWIW, I completely agree.

Oh good, another vote of confidence!

I dunno, I'm looking at the climb stats of OLH and comparing them with some of the other climbs I know and love, and ... well, I'm starting to hyperventilate a bit when thinking about my big debut tomorrow.

OTOH, what do I have to worry about? I have a triple with a mountain cassette for crying out loud!

Yep, OLH will be a piece of cake. (How often do I have to tell myself that until it becomes true?)

-- Melissa (I think I can, I think I can...)

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