Wine Country Century Ride Report

[spingineer]

I'm starting a new thread for this. Everyone is expecting me to provide the first ride report ... well, sorry to disappoint, but too tired to think now. I'll post one in the morning.

Pete, you can do the honors of posting the first one. Oh, you might want to make use of the "Enter" or "Return" key. :p

[x136]

There was, like, bikes... and stuff. And wind!

[TruF]

My husband and I were there with the Santa Rosa Cycling Club making sandwiches at the Warm Springs Dam rest stop. It was great seeing all you folks! What a beautiful day for a ride.

[gpelpel]

And the sandwiches were great and welcomed. Thanks a lot for the support. Beautiful ride but, boy, I am tired tonight. Report and photos tomorrow.

[Bostic]

Potatoes, PB & J sandwiches, PF Sausalito style cookies for the win. I think I slept about 10 hours.

Marco, Henry and I made the turn left for the last section of the 200k after the lunch rest stop and the lady tells us we are unsupported. Whatever, we'll manage. Two full water bottles will be enough in the heat to ride 30 something miles. This section of the ride was non-stop headwinds the bulk of the way. We took turns pulling and ate away at the mileage. Turns out the last rest stop was still open. I chomped a couple cookies and drank a coke. Used the small tube of chamois cream which really helped after so many miles. At this point it was destroy mode. Anything that moved in the distance got dropped. Marco set off on a great pace and I did my best to keep up. It was more or less a 15 mile time trial with a hill tossed in the middle. There were three older gentlemen who were off at a furious pace earlier in the ride but we spotted them and gobbled them up near the end. Marco will need to tell his 'BONK' story later.

[spingineer]

I drove up to Santa Rosa (actually Windsor, to meet up for the BF dinner) with Blastradius. It was a last minute agreement to drive up together ... much better to carpool, so that the drive wouldn't be so monotomous. Didn't leave the office till 3:20 pm, and had to go back home, and mount the friggin' bike rack to the car.

After all those delays, we made pretty good time and got to the dinner a little after 7 pm, and just in time to meet Taxi777, who need to do a few extra miles (as if he wouldn't have enough for the real ride in the morning).

It was great to meet BigBossMan and Mhendricks. Mike (Mhendricks) is hilarious. Our food was late in coming, and Mike gives the waiter a line from Goodfellas, something to the effect of something missing, if ya know what I mean. Anyhow, it was great chatting with them, and finally meeting them.

Blastradius, Bostic, and myself rode to Starbucks for quick grub, then ride over to the start. We took our sweet time getting registered, and meeting up. I recall my watch read 7 am, and I said "7 am, time to go!" 200k riders had to be on the road between 6:30-7:30, so I was not kidding. Then, as we were ready to roll, we had to wait to get a few group pictures together.

Uspspro and X136 didn't make it to the start at the same time we did. They, ummm ... went the wrong direction on the way to the start, so we figured they would meet us on the ride.

The rest of us started out together, and at the 100mile/200k turnoff, we regrouped. Mhendricks and BigBossman decided to continue on with the 100 mile route, while the rest of us did the 200k.

The hardest part of the ride was the steep climbs up Coleman Valley, but when we finally got to the top, and the rest stop, we were greeted with amazing views. First thing while there ... red potatoes ... OMG, something about this hits the palate soooo goood. I had 3 just at this rest stop alone. Pete has to drag me away from the potatoes. Then, as we were about to leave, uspspro shows up. Woohoo! Only thing is, we didn't see X136. I later found out he did start on the 200k, then did some short cuts, so he actually did get in his 100+.

The descent to the coast was amazing. Sorry guys ... if you didn't make it, you missed an incredible view. Pictures do not do it justice.

By the time we made the trek up Hwy 1, that's where everyone darted ahead of me. I missed the paceline, but that's okay. It was a nice peaceful ride across Hwy 116. Practiced on my time trialing. Caught up with everyone at the 2nd rest stop. Taxi777 was doing a shortcut, going to Windsor to pick up Kathy, so myself, Curtis, Tricia, Tony, and George decide to go with them. Henry, Ramon, and Marco continued on the rest of the 200k route.

We all met together at the lunch stop. We also got to meet TruF there ... nice meeting you there. And thanks for all the on demand sandwiches ... they really hit the spot.

The same group (200k vs. modified 200k) went back on it's own pace and route. We started on the route, but then averted the ride through Alexander Valley, and continued a route parallel to the freeway (quickest route possible, and skipping a few extra miles). About 5 miles from the end, I kept wondering does anyone know where to turn? At this point, I was on auto-pilot, just concentrating on turning the crank. And this coming from the Triple Crown endurance guy ... what happened to me?

Finally made it to the finish, and met up with everyone. A good time was had for all. SRCC puts on a great ride, beautiful scenery, and great food. Oh, did I mention the potatoes? They were awesome.

Drove back immediately after the ride, and didn't fall asleep. Thanks Blastradius for keeping me company for the drive up and back. Thanks Taxi777, for the modified route, and the entertainment.

[samboo]

Probably the best supported ride I have ever done. I felt like a king at the lunch stop with dozens of pre-made sandwiches and 5 people offering to make me a custom one.

Great course -- not much flat, all rollers. Wind was bad but not devastating (I guess I was early)

Pretty challenging for a "no climb" century (I picked it over Grizzly).

[cccorlew]

The fun started Friday night before the ride when we met up with our internet gang from NorCal Bikeforums.net. We had about eleven of us show up. The food was grand, but the service, with a smile, was slightly screwed up. It didn't matter, they comped a lot of it and we had fun anyway.

The actual ride launched at about 7:00 the next morning from Wells Fargo Event Center. We started out through Santa Rosa farm lands., mostly pleasant small roads with not much traffic. After our first long climb we turned to do a section of the 200K ride that would take us up some stunningly steep hills (20% plus in a couple of spots) with beautiful views then dump us almost into the ocean.

The decent was so steep the ride organizers have a woman in a skeleton suit holding a warning sign and calling in a Halloween voice "Slow down." What a blast.

We had planned on a 100 miler, but our friend Pete, being, well, Pete, had other ideas that involve combining, subtracting, improvising and generally scoffing at the official map. He supplies us with "Pete-isms" as well. Starting up a steep climb he yelled "I'm in the wrong gear!" quickly followed with "No, I'm outta gears!"

After riding with Pete a few times Tricia has started to be able to decipher his comments:
Before starting a climb, when Pete says "It's not that bad" he means "You'll be in your lowest gear, standing up, and will perhaps make it, the following decent will be the skiing equivalent double-black-diamond death run.

"It's not that far" translates to "Maybe less than 20 miles."

"We'll be there in 10 minutes" leaves off the "if you were driving a car" part.

Tricia was glad she wore her "We can do it" Jersey as we ended up riding 112 miles out of 100 miles.

The actual ride the organizers put on was well run, the rest stops were stocked with goodies and the rest rooms lines were survivable. The only part I didn't like was riding right past winery after winery and not stopping at one of them. That just seems wrong.

The biggest plus: Tricia's bars didn't slip. Her chain ring didn't fall off, and there were no bee stings.

Flickr slide show of a few MORE photos (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ccorlew/sets/72157604879431791/show/with/2463841933/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3057/2463841933_b0ee678d09_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3048/2463845955_7503090051.jpg

[uspspro]

Here's mine...

So I roomed with Alex (x136), and we are both kind of slow moving regarding getting ready in the morning, which was admitted by both of us ;)

We rolled out of our hotel at like 6:28, and headed off. Alex had the directions, and they had us going south. I immediately thought that wasn't right. BUt Alex got the directions from the geniuses at Google, so we figured they were right.

turns out we were at a shopping mall in downtown Santa Rosa across from a Wells Fargo Bank. :mad: Haha.... So plugged in the directions on my blackberry, and found out we were pretty far away. I called Henry, and told him we were going to be late.

So Alex and I rode toward the start, ended up we already got 10 miles before the start. ;) So we registered, and called Henry again. He said he would try and wait up at the first rest stop. They were already over 4 miles in. I convinced Alex to do the 200k route so we could meet the group at the first rest stop. But, as were leaving Alex noticed his brakes (cantilevers) were dragging pretty bad. So he had his allen wrench out and was trying to fix them. After several minutes, it turns out his wheel was in the fork crooked. At this point the group must have been way ahead.

The start time for Alex and I ended up being 7:40 :eek: (the registration says that the 200k riders must start between 6:30 and 7:30... most were on the road right at 6:30). So we were on our way, I tried to stay with Alex, because I felt bad that he would be riding without anyone. I did this for quite a while.

("BONK" Story)
Then we get to the first hill (around 15 miles in). I have to go fast on the hills. So I sprint away up the hills, passing many people, and wait at the top for Alex. As I am waiting, a group of nerds from TnT yell *BONK* *BONK* *BONK* *BONK*. Yep, like 4 of these doofuses yelled "Bonk." :mad::mad: I was so pissed, and was not about to hear that from these guys. I said "Are you frigin' kidding me! I'm waiting for my friend." Ugggghhhh. ;)

PS - No offense to anyone in TnT. I have friends in TnT, and think it is great. But these guys.... ahhhh.

So Alex caught up, but then we hit the first long-ish climb. I had no choice, except to destroy that hill. I sprinted up the hill, almost the whole way. I passed our little friends from TnT like they weren't moving, and yelled *BONK!!* :D Now I was happy. The "bonk" dudes were not my only motivation. I also wanted to catch the rest of the group. So I stuck it in TT mode, and just started ripping up the hills. That one hill for the 200k turn off was pretty damn steep.

I arrived in Occidental, and caught up with 2 other guys. We were met with a guy telling us the route was unsupported at this point... That worried me as far as catching the group. So I took off still in TT mode. I was alone for what seemed like forever, not another rider in sight. Finally I see the rest stop... far from being closed. Still plenty of riders there. I spot the PF group.. YES!!!! I was so happy. I seriously thought I would be alone for most of the ride.

After the first rest stop, we were greeted by the best par of the ride. The costal part was so beautiful. This was my favorite part of the entire ride.

The 200K route ended up being just Ramon, Henry and I. But we worked together well, with similar pacing. The rest of my rude report reads like Ramon's. Around mile 80-90-ish I felt pretty worn, but came around.

My second favorite part of the ride came after the first rest stop (mile 110). I got a second wind. Ramone and I decided to crush the last 15 miles. Just go all out. Were were spinning up to 26+ mph at some of the flat spots :eek: And jamming it up the climb in the middle. No team work, no rotating/drafting. Just all out GO! Other than the coast section, this was my favorite part of the ride :D

Anyway it was great. I had a good time. Thanks to everyone.

[spingineer]

Curtis,
Great pics. I really like that panaroma shot with the whole group. The Pacific Ocean in the back, even though it didn't show in the pic, is a great back drop.

Oh, and passing by winery after winery ... yeah, I agree with you on that. But I think if you really wanted to do that, we'd have to do the 35 miler ... :lol:

[spingineer]

mhendricks, eagerly waiting to start the ride
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Wine%20Country%202008/P5020001.jpg

MyLilPony, cccorlew, Bostic, BigBossMan, mhendricks ready to roll
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Wine%20Country%202008/P5020002.jpg

mhendricks rolling up to regroup at 100 mi/200k split
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Wine%20Country%202008/P5020006.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Wine%20Country%202008/P5020009.jpg

First Rest Stop
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Wine%20Country%202008/P5020011.jpg

uspspro ready to attack the descent!
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Wine%20Country%202008/P5020013.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Wine%20Country%202008/P5020014.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Wine%20Country%202008/P5020015.jpg

That's mtnwalker in front
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Wine%20Country%202008/P5020018.jpg

View from alongside Hwy 1
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Wine%20Country%202008/P5020019.jpg

[x136]

I had my mind set on just doing the imperial century, but once I (eventually :rolleyes:) got to the tent in the morning, that all went out the window, and I ended up with the pink sheet and armband, indicating that I was very nearly certifiably insane.

The first 15-20 miles were pretty fast and flat, and full of people, so I was keeping a fairly respectable pace (at least for me). Then the hills started and everyone else pulled away, so I reverted to "slow and steady" mode (also known as "I need a triple so bad" mode). The first rest stop was very welcome by the time I got to it. Between a late start and my slowness, there was talk of closing up shop when I was there, which wasn't a good sign for future stops.

The descent down to the ocean was pretty insane. The person in the skeleton costume kind of freaked me out. I was staring from pretty far back, trying to figure out what the hell I was looking at (Is it a sign, or a real person?), and once I got close, the guy in front of me slammed on his brakes, forcing evasive maneuvers. At some points of the descent, I was squeezing the brake levers for dear life, and was still flying along at over 20MPH. Yikes. Very scenic, though, as was the next portion along Highway 1. Couldn't have asked for nicer weather, aside from the wind. I just tooled along, taking it all in.

This tooling meant that the second rest stop was just about done for when I arrived. All I managed to do was fill my bottles, and scarf down some pretzels and M&Ms. I'd feel it later, and was at one point giving consideration to quitting. Not long before the third rest stop, the route split off onto the 35 mile route, which would have been a shortcut back to the start. I thought about it, assuming that the rest stop would be closed. I talked to a SAG guy who happened to be driving by, who said it was actually still open, so I pressed on. At worst, I figured, I could turn around and come back to that split-off point.

I got to the rest stop as they were starting to pack up, but there was still plenty to be had. After a short break, I got back on the road, and I was feeling better, so I decided to continue. At that point, I was actually feeling the time constraint moreso than being completely worn out. I had 40-50 miles to go, and about two hours to do it in, and on top of that, there was little or no chance of making the lunch stop. So I decided to take the bail-out route near Healdsburg. It wasn't the greatest route, what with being on city streets with moderate traffic, and having a headwind the whole way, but I guess that's why it was a bailout route. I picked up a riding buddy along the way, which was nice. Kept each other company and kept the pace up as much as possible, but I lost track of her in the parking lot at the end.

All in all, it was a great ride. I enjoyed myself, and I feel surprisingly okay this morning. Grand total for the day was 106 miles. So hey, 170k, close enough. :p I think I might have been able to do the full 200k, if I didn't feel so pressed for time.

Due to the rushed feeling, I only managed to pull out my camera once, on one of the only two or three times I had to stop and take a breather on some of the steeper climbs. The result is this crooked-ass panorama.

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/4074/bigcurvexx7.th.png (http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/4074/bigcurvexx7.png)

[spingineer]

gpelpel, Bostic, uspspro, Blastradius
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Wine%20Country%202008/P5020021.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Wine%20Country%202008/P5020023.jpg

Gee, ain't that purdy
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Wine%20Country%202008/P5020022.jpg

Nice descent into Russian River Valley
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Wine%20Country%202008/P5020025.jpg

Russian River
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Wine%20Country%202008/P5020030.jpg

2nd Rest Stop
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Wine%20Country%202008/P5020034.jpg

[TruF]

Here's my report (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=414523) with pics on the 50+ forum. Didn't ride, but had lots of fun at Warm Springs Dam cheering everyone on. But just wait until next year; I'll be riding!

[cccorlew]

Here's an elevation report on teh Wine Century, Pete version, via my Garmin

http://curtis.corlew.com/hosting/WineCentury.png

[x136]

21.6% and 23.1%?! :eek:

[BlastRadius]

When I was noting peoples plans for getting up to the WCC, nothing was really fitting too well so I was
planning to drive solo. Well green-guilt got to me and I messaged Spingineer to see if I could ride with
him. As he noted, he had to go home to get his rack but in the end things turned out A-OK. Thanks
for the ride and for helping me keep somewhat green. I ended up rooming with Ron too as Bostic
(whom I was originally going to room with) ended up with only a single bed. We were only a room
away so he could nearly hear us snore anyway :D.

The next morning we headed out pre-dawn and hit up a Starbucks before making our way to
the Well Fargo Event Center.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2363/2465769710_ede57b9757_o.jpg

The first part of the ride was fairly fast as everyone was pretty fresh. We mostly regrouped at the
100mi/200k split and the 200k riders contined after seeing mhendricks and bigbossman off. They're
great guys and a total riot. It's nice to chat with someone from the networking old school.
(BTW, BigBossMan, did you know a John Collins at INS?).

The ride to the coast had some very steep but short sections but the reward at the top
was worth it, a Pinarello love-fest. (No, none of them were mine :o )
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2386/2464939967_afccb57e93_o.jpg

Oh and the descent to the coast wasn't bad either... (click for a bigger pic (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3200/2465769552_aff5af4737_o.jpg)).
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3200/2465769552_3009b450f0_b.jpg (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3200/2465769552_aff5af4737_o.jpg)

After the descent, the ride along to coast was breathtaking. Once we turned inland Pete, Marco,
Ramon, and I tried giving a paceline a go. We got into a decent rotation and were soon joined by
four other riders. Between the eight of us, we cruised at 21-22mph all the way to the second rest stop.

gpelpel and bostic
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3226/2464940261_46cab92026_o.jpg

After the rest stop, Pete's short-cutters took off in one direction and Marco, Ramon, and I in the
200k route direction. The rollers between there and the lunch stop really killed me for some reason.
I was tired and considered following Pete from the lunch stop. The lure of my longest ride ever got
me to continue onward on the 200k route. It was tough going and my legs felt like lead on the
climbs and in the battle against the headwind. I was sucking wheel big time.

After the last rest stop I hung on to Marco and Ramon for as long as I could, which wasn't very long. After being dropped, I continued on solo. Still tired, I did manage to reel in all the riders I saw in front of me :D.

Bonus miles: When I got back into town, I saw the WCC arrows for Mark West Springs Rd
and made the turn. Unfortunately, as with most of the arrows on the course, they were too small
and I read them wrong. I rode a mile in the wrong direction before double-checking the street
addresses, it's 50 Mark West Springs Rd, not 510.

This was a great ride, my longest ever, and was with a great group of riders. My only complaints
are the aforementioned arrow sizes, the rough sections of road, the section along highway 128 with
no shoulders and speeding cars, and the STINKING HEADWIND. The wind may not have been too bad
if it didn't get so late in the day.

Thanks everyone,
Henry

[x136]

Oh and the descent to the coast wasn't bad either...I was glancing at all the graffiti on the way down, and my favorite by far was the one at the very, very bottom, where some smart-ass had written "HILL!" facing the people about to climb that sucker.

Unfortunately, as with most of the arrows on the course, they were too small and I read them wrong. I rode a mile in the wrong direction before double-checking the street addresses, it's 50 Mark West Springs Rd, not 510.Not only were they small and easily missable, but there weren't enough of them. I often found myself wondering if I'd missed a turn, and who knows how far I'd go before I noticed? A small marker of some sort every mile or two would have been nice, as reassurance.

my longest everDitto, by about forty miles. :lol:

[cccorlew]

Our longest too. By 12 miles or so.

The photo of gpelpel and bostic is really nice. It looks wide angle. My point-and-shoot isn't wide enough fo rmy tastes.

BlastRadius, what did you shoot that with?

[spingineer]

Actually, every year that I have done WCC (whether it was 200k, 100 mi, or modification of the two), I've always had headwinds in the last 30 miles or so. I think it just comes with the territory.

Even though it wasn't my longest, I still felt very fatigued at the end. Not sure why, because I have done 200+ miles, and felt just as fatigued as I did at 120 miles! I guess it may be because I haven't built up enough miles. This was my first century of the year. Imagine that.

[cccorlew]

BTW, you cool hill photo looks really flat and colorless on BF.
I couldn't stop myself
http://curtis.corlew.com/hosting/climb1.jpg

[spingineer]

Curtis, for those of us novice amateurs, what did you do to add life to it?

[cccorlew]

Curtis, for those of us novice amateurs, what did you do to add life to it?

Photoshop:
Crop, color balance, bump up contrast, bump up saturation a hair, smart sharpen.
The big things were the contrast and color balance.

[BlastRadius]

Our longest too. By 12 miles or so.

The photo of gpelpel and bostic is really nice. It looks wide angle. My point-and-shoot isn't wide enough fo rmy tastes.

BlastRadius, what did you shoot that with?

That pic was the best amongst all the blurry ones :D

It was a Minolta DiMAGE Xt. It's OK but the battery doesn't last long enough.
Our Canon A710IS is better but it's much bulkier.

[spingineer]

Addendum to my original report. I have to give Blastradius kudos for using geek tools to a practical level for our ride.

So we had to find a route to get from our Motel 6, to Starbucks, then from Starbucks to the start of WCC. He happens to bring his laptop and EVDO card (networking directly to Sprint's network to access the Internet). So go to google maps, and plot out directions. Then, emails it to his phone, and we have directions right there on his cell phone. Only in Silicon Valley. Now that's using technology for the ride! :D

I'm jealous ... I don't have an EVDO card for my laptop. :(

[Mhendricks]

Well first of all a big FU to Motel 6 for putting us right in the middle of crack ***** city, for not connecting the phone so we could get that "wake up" call, and for the giving us a room that smelled like a cheesy bar. To the restaurant for the 1 and 1/2 hours it took to cook my food. BTW I sent my cousin Vinny and a couple of my wise guys who play the violin to visit the cook. Most of all, thanks to all the great guys and gals that I met who dropped Bossman and I like a hot potato once we reached the hills. Just Kidding! I had a great time and it was a pleasure to ride with you. Hope to do it again real soon. Now the pics:

The Italian Mobsters

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s48/mixtemike/Wine%20Country%20Century/2008WineCountryCentury_02.jpg

The ringleader

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s48/mixtemike/Wine%20Country%20Century/2008WineCountryCentury_05.jpg


The bridge where we threw off the bodies of the Chef, cook, and waiter

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s48/mixtemike/Wine%20Country%20Century/2008WineCountryCentury_06.jpg

My vineyards in Tuscany

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s48/mixtemike/Wine%20Country%20Century/2008WineCountryCentury_14.jpg

My summer home ( see the bodyguards)

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s48/mixtemike/Wine%20Country%20Century/2008WineCountryCentury_12.jpg

Thanks Guys.

[silentben]

Thanks to everyone for sharing the ride reports and pictures. This definitely looks like a ride I will have to do next year. uspspro, the bonk story was hilarious :) And ccorlew, i especially like that panoramic group shot with the bikes trailing off into the distance - very cool.

[gpelpel]

I am back to normal, I slept like a baby last night and had a nice little nap after lunch today. That was my recovery ride. :D
The ride was quite beautiful, I really enjoyed the climb up above the coast, some steep grades but not too long. The view from rest stop 1 was breathtaking and the descent fantastic. A nice surprise was the lack of fog along the ocean (Mr. Weatherman was wrong again).
Pete got himself a nice collection of bikes, soon rivaling his guitars.

http://gpelpel.startlogic.com//photos/biking/Dont_touch_my_bikes.jpg

For some reason I found the end quite exhausting. I had my usual cramps at around 60 miles, I am not good at proper hydration discipline or it could be all the good food, wine, et scotch I had in France in the last two weeks. Usually beautiful vistas and locations keep me going so I had no issues at the start of the ride going to the ocean and between the vineyards (yes, it seemed wrong not to stop for some testing). However the shortcuts up along the freeway and the bail-out-route on the way back were kind of boring. The Alexander Valley looked promising and beautiful after Geyserville but the offer to cut short some hills made a lot of sense. The last 20 miles were tough and looked more like 40 miles, my rear-end was killing me, and River Road (the finish) was like a moving target; may be the next intersection, ... no, the next one then, and on and on. Finally we arrived at the promised land but the computer said 111.6 miles. I had a do a loop around the parking lot to reach a solid 112 miles, my new record by 3 miles. Another first; I had a flat, never happened to me during a century before.

All in all it was a great ride, the company was terrific, thanks to Pete for keeping a reasonable pace. It was my first time visiting these wine country valleys, I surely will go back. Wine testing will be on the list though.

Thanks to the Santa Rosa Cycling Club for the organization and terrific support.

[sweetnsourbkr]

Pics from the 35-miler route.

Lisa in front of a really nice mansion.

http://teamalameda.com/forums/uploads/1209949867/med_gallery_26_59_43284.jpg

http://teamalameda.com/forums/uploads/1209949867/med_gallery_26_59_29044.jpg

This poor little guy I found in the middle of a downhill section. Centurions were flying by as I tried to tell them to go around in vain. Eventually, I gave up, but I couldn't forget his fate. He seemed to be struggling for his life, but yet not being able to walk. I would have ended his life quickly had I had a weapon on me. I hope it happened quickly thereafter.

http://teamalameda.com/forums/uploads/1209949867/med_gallery_26_59_80420.jpg

First and only rest stop.

http://teamalameda.com/forums/uploads/1209949867/med_gallery_26_59_13999.jpg

Mini-goats for sale!

http://teamalameda.com/forums/uploads/1209949867/med_gallery_26_59_129635.jpg

Very nice Rivendell that Alex and I were drooling over. I'll post all the pics on the C&V forum later.

http://teamalameda.com/forums/uploads/1209949867/med_gallery_26_59_69170.jpg

[sweetnsourbkr]

Another little guy who was hungry and decided to take a snack right in front of us. We were standing around his hole while he was eating his dinner. He did this for about 15 minutes, and then when he was done, 'closed' the door by digging dirt and sealing his hole.

http://teamalameda.com/forums/uploads/1209949867/med_gallery_26_59_164555.jpg

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http://teamalameda.com/forums/uploads/1209949867/med_gallery_26_59_82768.jpg

Sorry we couldn't ride with you guys this time. We'll be sure to be ready next time!

[msincredible]

Thanks for all the great reports and pictures! I'm really sorry I missed it.

[taxi777]

What a great weekend! The thrill, fun, laughs and comraderie we're beyond anything I can express right now. I think I'll let it settle in for a day or two and let you all know how I and Cathy feel and share some of the adventures that we're truly EPIC! in the usual BikeForum fashion. Thank all our friends for letting us share such a great experience.
Pete

Helga Ullrech...TT champ
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/HelgaUllrich.jpg
Pedro Fernandez...Cinco De mayo Critirium wanna be
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/GroupLeave.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/ClubLunchBest.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/CathysPacline.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/OutsideDinn.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/WineRide08054-1.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/RonRetard.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Peloton2.jpg

[taxi777]

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/PeteBike1.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/StartGroup-1.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/TheBoss-1.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/TheDoeBoy-1.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/cow2-1.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Fullobeans.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/George-1.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/GeorgeRamon.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/CurtistheAlien.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Curtis.jpg

[taxi777]

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/CurtisRon.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Curtis_TrishRest.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/CathyBlueIgloo-1.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/CathyPose-1.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/AlexMarco.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Beniciaclub.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/BossmanRon.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/MarcoPolo.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/MarcoTrish.jpg

[taxi777]

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/MtWalk.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Omigod2.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Omigod.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Henrycoleman.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Hombres.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/LisaAfter.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/DaveLisaInAM.jpg

[SesameCrunch]

Wow! Great ride!

Even better pics! I feel like I was there (without having to do all the work)!

[cccorlew]

Hey Taxi. Next time use your thinning lens. The photos conflict with my inner self image.

[jobob]

Wow, great photos, gang! And very well done, all of ya's! :beer:

Last years WCC happened to fall on Cinco de Mayo. After the ride a bunch of us headed off to a mexican restaurant which just happened to be having a Cuervo CdM special. Free poppers. Ouch.

Looking at your pictures reminded me of all the fun I had at the ride last year ... err, what I remember of it. :o

[Pheard]

I'm actually a little enviuos of all these rides. A little.

[genejockey]

Aw, now I wish I had gone! It sounds like a lot more fun than the furniture moving I did!

[taxi777]

Wow, great photos, gang! And very well done, all of ya's! :beer:

Last years WCC happened to fall on Cinco de Mayo. After the ride a bunch of us headed off to a mexican restaurant which just happened to be having a Cuervo CdM special. Free poppers. Ouch.

Looking at your pictures reminded me of all the fun I had at the ride last year ... err, what I remember of it. :o

Jo, was that the " La Cantina"? Cathy's birthday is on Cinco De mayo and that's where I took her last year to get drunk for her birthday... Are you the one she got in a slugfest with but ended up doing the Mexican hat dance and shooting pool with?
Pete
I didn't know you then, but I just remember two pretty girls fighting over me;)

[cantdrv55]

Sucks that I couldn't do this ride. Looks like you guys and gals had a great time. Nice pics - you even got a shot of my fellow Benicia Bicycle Club members.

[uspspro]

Cathy's birthday is on Cinco De mayo

Crazy, Ruth's b-day is on Cinco de Mayo (today) as well!

[gpelpel]

Happy birthday to the Cinco De Mayo girls!!!

[DiabloScott]

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/CurtisRon.jpg

The ghost of Sheldon Brown is in the background.

[taxi777]

The Wine Ride Report Of 2008 – by Taxi777

So as not to receive detention from my Bike Forum teacher Mrs. Tricia and my Vice Principle Mr. Curtis, I will try not make the mistake of expediting my ample blow hardiness in one long stream of consciousness as was suggested by Mrs. Ride a bike to work and get a trophy crabby pants, and actually use a couple of paragraph breaks.
I say that all in good fun... Mrs' not really a crabby pants...Curtis wears the Crabby pants in the family...

It all began when I was chastised in front of the other students during a field trip to the Sonoma Dam. How embarrassing … Even my girlfriend Cathy was like totally laughing at me : (…… That’s ok, cause Ms. Trudy came over and took a picture of me and said I was a nice little boy! She was really really cute too! Cathy was ssooooo! jealous…then Marco farted really loud, which made Ron throw up, and everyone laughed J and I was happy again. But the day really started way, way back the night before as I sat on my bike on a corner at the Town Green in Windsor, Ca. ……..


With a quick stop at the Sports Basement we were off across the bridge for our grand three day vacation. I decided to try some Hammer gel for the wine ride instead of the chick bars I’ve been eating on the big rides. I’ve noticed that most of the Hammerheads pulverizing me on the climbs lately are the Hammer Gel Users. So we’ll see how this natural dope works for me…
Cathy and I did a warm up ride Friday late afternoon to loosen up and acclimate to the beautiful weather in Sonoma County. We we’re hoping to pre-sign in, but spent too much time doing the cow shoots with our cameras. We were thinking to enter out photos In the auditions for Americas Next Top Cow Show. There’s something about a cow that is so soothing when it’s just sitting there staring back at you and chewing… Very hypnotic, quiescent and I feel all the stress just go out of me… Sometimes, it’s almost as though they’re talking to me… Hello Pete, how have you been? I hope the year has been good for you… I’ve just been out here thinking through the problems of the world, and I think you would be happy just being out here with us relaxing in the sun. You humans are always trying to do too much and in such a hurry, complicating your life with things that don’t really matter in the end. You always seem happiest when you’re here with us. All the noise goes away and you don’t have to buck heads with anyone, of course unless you’re a bull, but that’s a different story. For the bull the rewards are simple but great. In your world the bulls try way too hard and are never really happy with their success and usually die before their time. How sad… and look how comfy you are right now. One minute with me and you’re so relaxed. Just stay here, and we can talk and chew. It doesn’t snow here like it does in Wisconsin. My aunt Bessie, was always complaining about that, so she walked all the way out here from Madison! There she is over there with the worn out hooves. We all tell her that she’s “Outstanding In Her Field”, she always cracks up over that. Well, I know you have to go. You humans, you’re all a like…sigh… thanks for dropping by though and ride carefully ok? There are some silly drivers around here. Poor little Deers are always hopping in front of those big metal cars. Well, bye bye, Love ya…

Hurriedly we head back to the restaurant. I get a call from Springy and he’s with the Blastman just getting off the freeway. I ride up to the corner a few blocks away and wait on the corner perched to escort them to the restaurant. I lead them through some twists and turns and It just hits me how excited I am about riding my bike this weekend, and I get to be 14 again for a while. My adultness fades away and I don’t have to be that anymore! I like my friends, they are my therapy.

Everyone starts showing up. Bossman/Mhendricks, Mikey, as I like to call him, are there. They look like the quintessential Goombas. I’m realizing that I have trouble recognizing people if they’re not in their riding gear. I’m getting old and the mind is not as sharp as it used to be. Cutis and Tricia show up. They sure clean up good. Cutis looks like such a professor and Tricia always the elegant lady on and off the bike. Alex showed up a little late and Marco really late. Marco is always the first one up the mountain and the last one to dinner. Don’t Matta tho as Mikey sez, “ We’re here ta have fun”.

The restaurant had just recently changed hands, and the service was a little slow. Mikey called the waiter over and says something to the effect…”Yo maybe I gotta go have a talk with the chefs, ya know, maybe somebody might disappear ya see what I’m sayin?” The food comes and its great. Marco was late due to the traffic and he didn’t get served right away. There were so many conversations and stories going on I couldn’t keep track of it all. Everyone enjoyed the dinner and we headed outside to take pictures. Some cute woman came by and helped the guys take pictures. Lots of flirting, flashing and eye rolling from Cathy and Tricia. We all split after a great evening pre ride dinner.

I got up before the alarm. I usually roll out at about 5:30 and start the ride but, this year we were going to go as a group so I had time to kill. I took time filling my Hammergel bottle and my Cliftshot recovery/electrolyte water bottles then proceeded to leave without them! I stopped at starbucks for my fix and got to the start tent early. Got my tag/map and ran into Dave and Lisa. They gave me the run down on their Tandem wheel night mare and they had decided to do the 35 mile ride on solo’s. Lisa had her mountain bike and didn’t want to pound the big miles on it. She probably would have done fine on the 100K IMHO, she’s a champ in a small package. I’m waiting to do this ride next year with them on their tandem.

MTwalker made it and was ready to go for the challenge. George had been busy with family duties overseas, but was ready to get some riding in even it pain was the only reward. Everyone had arrived, but guess who…Marco and Alex had taken a wrong turn. I think Marco was having a rough week but taking it in stride. We waited but it was getting late and time to go and I knew Marco would catch us anyhow, no problem there. Really cold start but warmed up quick. Mike’s wind breaker was puffing out like a giant spinnaker on a schooner, so I got lazy and rode his wheel for a while to keep the cold air of my string bean physique, which refuses to keep in any heat.

I stopped for some plumbing maintenance and everyone got away from me. The climb warmed me up a bit and I caught up with the gang just at the 200k/100mile Occidental split. We sat to chat and the Bossman and Mike separated from us at the point. Apparently they had met a couple of gals back at the Motel 6 on the corner of Crack and 8 ball and had planned to meet Huggy bear and friends for brunch at the Ihop! I knew I was in trouble with Tricia because I kind of lied about the amount of climbing she was about to do. I don’t think she believes a word I say anyway… She’s pretty used to dealing with the juvenile mind set. I think she’s just a champ anyway. She and Curtis can do anything.

Ramon and Henry kicked my ass up and down all the coastal hills. Ramon kept asking me if I was sure we we’re going the right way because it was so desolate and we were not catching any riders. He probably thought I was some kind of serial killer and that I was about to bring him out in the middle of nowhere to chase him down with a crossbow like a mutant hybrid creature from the movie “The Island of Dr. Moreau”. We caught some slow climbers, finally… Ramon’s lucky day…

We arrived at the first rest stop of the day “Irish Hill” on Colman Valley road. About 800ft… Kind of a beautiful misty “Loch Ness” morning. Dew glistening on the thistle. Potato’s we’re abundant on Irish hill, and I felt like an Irish poet on holiday! Oh! And the pretty Lasses we’re abundant, almost as if all the most beautiful daughters of Cork had miraculously descended on to hill and dale at once. (Cathy say’s arntn’t we full of the Blarney today! A little too much of the stone my little Leprechaun)! As Ron packed the potatoes into his cheeks like a starving chipmunk before an Alaskan winter, Marco showed up minus Alex. I had prophesized to Henry earlier that Marco is like a wild cougar and would try to be patient and pace for a short time… then the predator would kick in and nothing would stop him from taking off like an ICBM to catch us in a blink of an eye at any cost. Once He’s launched…Say goodnight friends Elvis has left the building!

We took off and headed down Colman Valley Road. This is it… There is a certain point in a ride like this when the moment comes, and the moment when you think to yourself if I were to pass on from my life right now… This would be the tantamount cymbal crash to punctuate, quote and slap me upside the head…When the Angels in heaven sing to me in bellowing harmony that… This is everything I have struggled and beat myself up to get to… this very moment. Like being born and your on your way out of your little sheltered womb to greet the unfathomable creations of the Universe… the life flashing by and the light we are drawn to at the end of our lives from our now feeble little human shells…That crazy cold tingle that starts at the very top of the head and hurtles through every nerve down to the soles of out feet! I push with everything I’ve got and more, as my comrades sail along, in this life venture with me accelerating, like the Blue Angels in their farewell salute… Faster, faster, faster… I become something else, I am light, I am energy I am part of the Universe in total harmony with my brothers as we together become a lightening bolt of pure human spiritual joy! I snap a picture of Marco and we have the same thought I know, we don’t have to speak I see it in his eyes “ Dude… this is the bomb”!

When I reach the skeleton lady, I stop to take a picture and chit chat. (had my camera in film mode my accident at that point…no picture). I take off everyone is ahead. I’m in my Guardian angel protective bubble…(I tell myself that and some reason it makes me “Fierce”)! One day it will catch up with me, but for now I enjoy wizzing past everyone like a maniac… Where’s Henry?.. Oh my God He’s behind me! I am going fast. The cattle grates are like a gentle flutter as I go over them. If you hit them as fast as you can go and relax your hands they’re like a butterfly kiss on your palms. We all get to the bottom safely and head up the coast. What a view!!! We stop for a photo-op and line up all the bikes for an art shot…Damn! My battery dies in my camera! Plenty of cameras, so no problem. We start back up the coast and past the astounding scenery. We make short work of the highway 1 portion of the route.

As we turn on to River road and inland. Dad (Henry) rounds up the kids. You can tell who the Dad with the most kids is for sure. First thing he does is reel in Marco the boy who should be on Ritalin! Then tells me to pipe down… : ) He then gets the rest of the children to the table and begins an energetic and efficient paceline, with Ramon reporting specific scientific speed data for the pulling parties. Within what feels like 10 seconds we’re at the next rest stop. I wish I had had my camera though. On the way there was a huge peloton coming the opposite direction. It was like two bullet trains passing each other in the French countryside. IT WAS AWSOME!

We arrive at the rest stop and begin to eat some strange sexually explicit banana, peanut butter, m&m creations that I title “ Little Matterhorns with STD’s “ I’m actually a little sore from cranking up the hills with the gang. Everyone arrives and at this point we decide we are going to split up so I can get back to pick up Cathy who is patiently awaiting for my arrival back at the Hotel, so I can do the 1K with her. Thankfully some of the group decide to accompany me. I wont have to go it alone which is a good thing.

I need to break from this report to get on with my life for a little bit. It’s 1pm Monday and I haven’t done anything!!!! But this and to edit picts.

PART 2- To be continued………………………….

[redspoke]

The ghost of Sheldon Brown is in the background.
I find it weird that he's on the phone when Allen Ginsberg's ghost is talking to him. Probably some ghost needing a tutorial on spoke lacing...

http://www.grazian-archive.com/quiddity/Ginsberg/Ginsberg_2.jpg

[taxi777]

The ghost of Sheldon Brown is in the background.

That's my buddy "Papa Wheely"
He started riding when he was 60...Nice guy
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/PapaWheel.jpg

[redspoke]

Nice story Pete... Sorry to derail it with my juvenile humor.

But I gotta ask... Was Papa Woody there too?

[taxi777]

Nice story Pete... Sorry to derail it with my juvenile humor.

But I gotta ask... Was Papa Woody there too?

Papa Wheelie buddy
I'm going to do a photo interview with him soon. He and his partner are doing the aidsride. They're really interesting Guys...I'll try to get them on a BF ride soon, maybe after L.A.
PEte