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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    Sillycon Valley, California
    Posts
    4,872

    Holstein Hundred - Done!

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    I woke up Saturday morning, trying to think up any excuse not to get out and ride my bike. I finally gave up, got dressed and loaded up my bike. A quick stop at the Breakfast Bar in the hotel, and I hit the road, bagel and coffee in hand.

    It was very foggy out, so much so that I had to use my wipers. Ah Hah! An excuse! I decided to drive to the ride start and see how things went from there. I got checked in, and looked the route over. I was doing the shortest – 35 miles. I was pretty familiar with most of the roads, so I thought, what the heck. I can always SAG back if I want.

    The first hill was on Tomales-Petaluma Road. This hill and I are well acquainted, I wrecked my knee the first year I rode it. Did a whole 4 miles back then. I’ve ridden it since, but usually when I’m in better shape. With one stop halfway up, I made it to the top. Exhausted, and feeling beaten I thought I SAG at the first rest stop. On Chileno Valley Road I ran across this guy and his friends, having quite the feast on a dead possum. I wondered if it was an omen.



    Riding along I was reminded why I love this ride so much. It’s very pretty country.



    I got to the first rest stop, refilled my water bottle and ate a little potato and a cookie. I wasn’t especially hungry. I wandered around for a bit, then decided it was silly to quit now, let’s go to the next stop. Chatted with all the animals I saw along the way. This very dignified Llama.



    And this small group of cattle, I dubbed the “Ghost Cattle”



    Then came the fun. I had forgotten what a b!tch Spring Hill Road could be when you are not in optimal shape. This is, I think, about halfway up.



    I made it to the top! It took a while, with a stop or two, but I did it. I must’ve picked a good resting place, I was joined by about six other people! We all joked about our poor physical conditions – but we were there, and we were riding. One woman even remarked “I’ve got to quit smoking” Wha!?!?!?!



    For the Riv girls – there was a couple at our party each riding Rivs. She on a Rambo, he on a Rom. Both loving their bikes – him making plans for a 650B.

    After I left the party, I came upon a couple of women looking very forlorn. “You OK?” Standard bike greeting, expecting the usual, “Yes fine” Instead I hear “No. My chain fell off” Oops. Hmm, I wonder if I know what I’m doing…. I did manage to get the chain unstuck from between front crank wheel and bike frame, and get it back on the proper rings/cogs. My good karma points for the day.

    More chatting with cows – I think these might actually be Holsteins. Who knows, I grew up in the city. Milk comes in bottles, right?



    I loved the name of this ranch, Twister Hill Ranch.



    The name was a hint of what was coming – nasty headwinds for the last 8 miles. I hunkered down and pedaled at a blinding speed of 8 mph all the way back to Tomales.

    At lunch, Polenta and marinara sauce, with a salad. Afterwords I ran into aka_kim, she had done the 60 miler. We were both pretty tired, and agreed it was a tough ride.

    I can’t wait for next year……

    Last edited by snapdragen; 08-20-2006 at 08:53 PM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Bay Area, CA
    Posts
    1,351
    Hey Janet - great pictures! Sounds like you had a good time, when all was said and done! I'd like to do that ride next time. Was it hot after the fog burned off?
    Last edited by bikerz; 08-21-2006 at 06:56 AM.
    Keep calm and carry on...

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Pacific Northwest
    Posts
    3,436
    Good Lord, a weekend of major rides for people! Glad it went well, Snap. And thanks for the pics.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Sierra Foothills, CA
    Posts
    1,262
    Great Job Janet!!!!

    I LOVE the pictures, I did this ride once a long time ago and just remember the hills getting the best of me!

    Well done!

    Tracy

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Seattle
    Posts
    8,548
    what a bunch of great photos! thanks for sharing your ride with us.
    I started our ride saturday with intentions of taking a bunch of pix, and got two, one being the stink bug.
    Mimi Team TE BIANCHISTA
    for six tanks of gas you could have bought a bike.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    WA, Australia
    Posts
    3,292
    Thanks - what a great ride report and beautiful pictures. All these ride reports with lots of hills aahhh makes me feel tired just reading about it.

    Love the big bird. Is that a Turkey Vulture??

    Trek - trying to learn her American birdies- Hawk
    The most effective way to do it, is to do it.
    Amelia Earhart

    2005 Trek 5000 road/Avocet 02 40W
    2006 Colnago C50 road/SSM Atola
    2005 SC Juliana SL mtb/WTB Laser V

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Sonoma County, CA
    Posts
    658
    Great pictures - makes me stop taking this area for granted!
    "Bicycling is a big part of the future. It has to be. There's something wrong with a society that drives a car to workout in a gym." -- Bill Nye

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Alaska
    Posts
    2,201
    good job, but one question.... pictures? where are the pictures? i know i'm slow and its monday, but what am i missing?
    "Forget past mistakes. Forget failures. Forget everything except what you're going to do now and do it." – William C. Durant

    I click here to help detect breast cancer.

    I click here to help feed animals in need.


    I play this game to help feed people in need.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    WA, Australia
    Posts
    3,292
    Quote Originally Posted by chickwhorips
    good job, but one question.... pictures? where are the pictures? i know i'm slow and its monday, but what am i missing?
    Oh No you cant see the pics and they are so pretty. Plus you need to tell me what the bird is.
    The most effective way to do it, is to do it.
    Amelia Earhart

    2005 Trek 5000 road/Avocet 02 40W
    2006 Colnago C50 road/SSM Atola
    2005 SC Juliana SL mtb/WTB Laser V

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Alaska
    Posts
    2,201
    ahhh... its gotta be because i'm at work and they are blocking just about everything.

    i'll recheck this when i go home for lunch.
    "Forget past mistakes. Forget failures. Forget everything except what you're going to do now and do it." – William C. Durant

    I click here to help detect breast cancer.

    I click here to help feed animals in need.


    I play this game to help feed people in need.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Sonoma County, CA
    Posts
    658
    Quote Originally Posted by Trekhawk
    Oh No you cant see the pics and they are so pretty. Plus you need to tell me what the bird is.
    It is a turkey vulture.
    "Bicycling is a big part of the future. It has to be. There's something wrong with a society that drives a car to workout in a gym." -- Bill Nye

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Marin County CA
    Posts
    5,936
    Great report!! I love the photos. It all looks so familiar! I love that ride - wish I could have done it this year. Good job on the ride.
    Sarah

    When it's easy, ride hard; when it's hard, ride easy.


    2011 Volagi Liscio
    2010 Pegoretti Love #3 "Manovelo"
    2011 Mercian Vincitore Special
    2003 Eddy Merckx Team SC - stolen
    2001 Colnago Ovalmaster Stars and Stripes

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    Bendemonium
    Posts
    9,673
    Hey, you have Naked Ladies in that last photo. I love those.
    Frends know gud humors when dey is hear it. ~ Da Crockydiles of ZZE.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Alaska
    Posts
    2,201
    i'm at home and got to see the pictures (yup work computer wouldn't let me).

    i love the pictures also! thanks for sharing.
    "Forget past mistakes. Forget failures. Forget everything except what you're going to do now and do it." – William C. Durant

    I click here to help detect breast cancer.

    I click here to help feed animals in need.


    I play this game to help feed people in need.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    Sillycon Valley, California
    Posts
    4,872
    It never got really hot, thankfully. I think maybe in the low 70's.

    Lot's of Naked Ladies all over, they must be growing wild now. If I had stopped for every pretty flower I saw, I'd never have finished.

    Yep - Turkey Vulture. I shoulda taken a pic of the "snack"

    Tracy - I went back to Preston Vineyards - left with sixbottles of wine this time, including a jug! I think it has become my favorite winery.

    All those within shouting distance should join me next year - I love this ride!

 

 

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