Northern California - Strawberry Fields Century Report

All I can say is Great Weather, Great Food, and I had a Great time. Since no one from the Bike Forums seemed to be riding this century, I did a solo ride. Arrived around 7 and started out. Weather at the start around 60 degrees and for the whole ride it never got above 78. Nice little climb a little bit after the start and a great downhill after that. Ride went flat among the farm lands and before you know it, the first rest stop was there. The fare at that one was dates, (:love:) PB but my favorite was the latte/expresso carts. Best part of that rest stop was that it bordered the ocean and the Calfee Eye Candy. Both Absolutely georgous! Back to the flats around the farms with a couple of brutal short climbs right before the lunch stop at a County Park which was nestled in the hills. Nice spread there and they also had my favorite red potatoes. After lunch back through the woods a couple of little climbs and then to the final rest stop where they had some of the best crepes (sour cream and strawberry) and the best Apple Juice and Homemade Apple Pie I've tasted in years. Back to the route which ended up being the hardest part for me a long climb into the Santa Cruz hills with a descent which ended up at the Corralitos Market. From there a flat ride back to a tasty Mexican style dinner. All in all, here's how I rated this ride:

Weather: 5
Food: 5
Route: 4 (Loved the climbing but the farm roads sucked)
Support: 5

Now the pics.

Road out of Pajaro Valley

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s48/mixtemike/2009%20Strawberry%20Fields%20Century/IMG_3765.jpg


Nice Victorian House on huge farm

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s48/mixtemike/2009%20Strawberry%20Fields%20Century/IMG_3767.jpg


Views from First Rest Stop

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s48/mixtemike/2009%20Strawberry%20Fields%20Century/IMG_3774.jpg


Calfee Bamboo Bike

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s48/mixtemike/2009%20Strawberry%20Fields%20Century/IMG_3775.jpg

Lunch Stop

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s48/mixtemike/2009%20Strawberry%20Fields%20Century/IMG_3779.jpg


Gizdich Farm Rest Stop and the Pie Lady

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s48/mixtemike/2009%20Strawberry%20Fields%20Century/IMG_3783.jpg


http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s48/mixtemike/2009%20Strawberry%20Fields%20Century/IMG_3785.jpg


Final Climb up into Santa Cruz Mountains

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s48/mixtemike/2009%20Strawberry%20Fields%20Century/IMG_3786.jpg

I'd definitely recommend this ride! :thumb:

Here's my Garmin Trace.


http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s48/mixtemike/2009%20Strawberry%20Fields%20Century/StrawberryFieldsGarminReport.jpg

I did the 100 mile route. Plus riding to and from home, it was about 147 miles. I was expecting it to be hot, so I wore my white NorCal jersey, but the sea breeze kept things cool, though it was a little warm up in the mountains.

was that last climb up mt madonna road? i recall that being a great climb which was cut out of the 07 and 08 metric routes

was that last climb up mt madonna road? i recall that being a great climb which was cut out of the 07 and 08 metric routes

Yes it was Mt. Madonna Road.

A

Calfee Bamboo Bike

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s48/mixtemike/2009%20Strawberry%20Fields%20Century/IMG_3775.jpg



I saw one at Davis too ... wonder if it's the same owner?

That looks like a fun ride. I love Gizdich Farms (The kids love picking their own strawberries) My best friend lives in Watsonville so I know these areas pretty well and there's a lot of good riding. I'll be cruising there this weekend as a matter of fact. :thumb:




I saw one at Davis too ... wonder if it's the same owner?
That one's a WWAD?* Calfee Bamboo. The guy with the Bamboo yesterday had a larger frame and no discs. This one is pretty cool. Although it's missing its bamboo pedals?

*What
Would
Alex
Do? :p

That Bamboo bike looks like the one Knotty's friend was riding.

We did the 100K, but I suffered from both quads cramping the worst I ever felt. I guess that what happens when you hang the road bike to ride BMX bike for the entire year. :twitchy:

Santa Cruz Mountain Challenge anyone?