Holstein 100 2007

[jobob]

Close Encounters of the Bovine Kind
MP, you weren't kidding about the cows on Coleman Valley. We were a ways up the climb and we turned a corner and lo & behold, there's a cow standing partway into the road munching on some roadside grass. I tried to get a photo but it was getting steep at that point (getting, har har) and it behooved me to have full control as I was passing the cow's backside in case I needed to take Cow Evasive Manuevers.

Then, a little ways farther up, more cows along the road! One particularly large cow (a Guernsey, I do believe) stared me down as I was zooming up the road (zooming, har har) and as I approached she started walking out onto the road directly in front of me. "After you, ma'am" says I as I come to a rather abrupt halt and let her pass - I didn't want to entitle my ride report "Cow 1, Me 0"

The Rest Stop at Walker Ranch
The folks there were a hoot. Probably comes from hanging out there for about 8 hours. Walker Ranch at the base of the last climb up Marshal (at mile 90) was the last rest stop on the route. We were the ninth thru the sixth last riders remaining on the course, and as the riders trickled in the volunteers gave us a very loud cheer (as much out of relief that they'd be leaving soon as much as anything). They were really fun to talk to.

"Amici Veloci my Azz !"
The absolute funniest moment of the ride for me happened in the last mile or so. I'm plodding along Hiway 1, wondering where the hell is the turnoff for Tomales already(!), when a small white car suddenly toots it horn as it approaches me from behind.

I'm thinking to myself "Oh #$%!, I'm as far over as I can be, so shaddup already!", when the car pulls up next to me and the guy driving yells out "Amici Veloci my Azz!" Yes, it was Hot Rod !!!!!

So I grin and naturally, give him the Amici Veloci Sekret Hand Signal. We chatted for a little and he took off heading up Hiway 1 (with an attractive blonde in the passenger seat) and I reached my turnoff for Tomales High School. So I had a good chuckle to carry me for the half-mile or so remaining.

[snapdragen]

"Amici Veloci my azz!" Excellent!

Question for you and PABadger (and anyone else who did this ride for the first time)...will you do it again?

[jobob]

Question for you and PABadger (and anyone else who did this ride for the first time)...will you do it again?

But of course.

[snapdragen]

But of course.

Yay!

I had one friend that did it a couple years ago. I found her eating lunch afterwards with a really pissed look. She vowed to never ride it again. The route that year took you up Marshall-Petaluma in the opposite direction, with nasty headwinds.

[jobob]

Yay!

I had one friend that did it a couple years ago. I found her eating lunch afterwards with a really pissed look. She vowed to never ride it again. The route that year took you up Marshall-Petaluma in the opposite direction, with nasty headwinds.

We were heading towards the coast. Are you saying she had headwinds heading from the coast towards Petaluma?

[snapdragen]

We were heading towards the coast. Are you saying she had headwinds heading from the coast towards Petaluma?

Yeah. Bizzare huh?

[DrBadger]

Question for you and PABadger (and anyone else who did this ride for the first time)...will you do it again?

But of course.

Can I ask them to hold the wind next time? It was a really great route even with the wind... and if I was still living here I would totally do it again.

[aka_kim]

Great job, centurions!

I had to try my new camera phone, and although I didn't get any good pictures I still have to post some anyway.

TrekHawk congratulating jobob:


Amie and PABadger after 104 miles and gazillions of feet of climbing:


The redoubtable LeeBob:

[Trekhawk]

Love the pics everyone!!

Had a great day with the gang and really enjoyed riding with Kim and Lee. Its always fun to share the pain. Kim was very patient waiting for Lee and I at the top of all the climbs and then at numerous stops along the way. She denies being a strong rider but IM SORRY KIM YOU ARE and it was sweet of you to wait for us.

I was so proud of the girls for finishing the Century - Deanna included who looked a little too fresh for just finishing a very windy century.

I must also thank two fit looking blokes who chatted to me going up the hill that was about 5 miles before the Marshall Wall. I think without them I might have convinced myself that I needed a little rest on that one.

Oops nearly forgot it was lovely to meet Five one at one of the rest stops.
Hmm she looked annoyingly fresh too.

A lovely ride but next year if you do this I would ask them to put in an order for less wind. LOL you know its a windy ride when you can hear the wind whistling and your stopped.

[five one]

Oops nearly forgot it was lovely to meet Five one at one of the rest stops.
Hmm she looked annoyingly fresh too.

A lovely ride but next year if you do this I would ask them to put in an order for less wind. LOL you know its a windy ride when you can hear the wind whistling and you're stopped.

Annoyingly fresh? That couldn't have been me then . Well, maybe. It WAS before Marshall and the wind! It was nice to meet you and Kim and chat briefly.

This was my second year doing the metric. Last year I recall it being foggy a lot of the day. This year it was clear, but the wind was really something. There were a few times during the descents off the climbs that I thought my wheels were going to come right out from under me . I had somehow buried, in the nether regions of my mind, most of my memories of the Marshall climb. Probably a good thing. I had also forgotten how long the last thirteen or so miles seemed. Never-ending rollers. All I wanted was lunch at that point . We rode with a friend who hadn't done a lot of training lately, though she's an experienced rider. Muscle memory served her well, though we dialed it back a bit. Even still, I was pretty pooped at the end of the ride.

I didn't have a camera on me, so I was glad to see the pictures the rest of you took. Great shots. And congrats to Ellen, John, and Amie on completing their first century - and a tough one at that!

Trying to decide whether to attempt the century next year. Got to do more hill work. Lots more.

[Deanna]

I was so proud of the girls for finishing the Century - Deanna included who looked a little too fresh for just finishing a very windy century.

I think you must be confusing looking fresh with a look of relief. If I looked fresh at all, it was thanks to the tailwind I got for the last mile or two. I doubt I would do this one again, though I'm sure I'll do some of these roads again. If anybody asks, I'd probably recommend the metric route over the full 100 mile route, the metric seemed to spend more time on roads with less traffic.

I wanted to stay to make sure Jo made it in, but I had plans to meet my mom (who lives in Petaluma) for dinner at Dempsey's Alehouse. I had come in about an hour later than I had hoped for (and told her to plan for), and she's the type to WORRY to the point of making alarming phone calls. I'm glad to hear you all made it in and would do it again!

[jobob]

Hey Deanna - glad you had a kind of good ride ...

I knew you were going to Dempsey's afterwards, and I was going to suggest we all head there, but to be honest by that time Lyon's sounded sooo much simpler.

And I was pretty certain we could get milkshakes there.

[jobob]

"Now, where's that turn we missed??"

[Trekhawk]

Hey Deanna - glad you had a kind of good ride ...

I knew you were going to Dempsey's afterwards, and I was going to suggest we all head there, but to be honest by that time Lyon's sounded sooo much simpler.

And I was pretty certain we could get milkshakes there.

Shudup about the milkshakes.

[Deanna]

I was wondering where you got milkshakes. I had to settle for beer (carb-replenishment).