cccorlew

"We belong among the wild flowers, we belong somewhere we feel free."

What a beautiful day. Even though I always forget how far away Chico is the Wildflower Century was worth the drive.

We started at 5 AM, loading the bikes and grabbing the free breakfast the motel. We managed to actually get on the bikes on the road about 6:15. With the sun peeking over the horizon we and up headed out of Chico up our first climb, up the very very bumpy Humbolt Road. It's a demoralizing climb because it doesn't look like a climb. Tricia asked me if I'd lubed her chain with glue. But 700 vertical feet later we got to turn around and fly down Highway 32. A delightful 3.4 miles of smooth downhill with barely a turn.

A bit later we rode up Honey Run. I'd heard it was nice, but it is nicer than nice.

Depending on where you measure, it's about 1700 feet in 10 miles with a number of 11% and 12% sections. But it's all protected, out of the wind and shaded. The trees and plants smell wonderful, and the views off the edge are grand. It's a slow enough climb that you can read the road graffiti and fine out who in Chico loves who "4 ever."

After another smooth, delightful decent we hit the 100-mile add-on section: Table Mountain. It had become a good deal warmer, and the climb, though not as high, had steeper sections.
As we rode up there were numerous cyclists stopped, walking or just hiding in the shade. It was like in a war movie where the troops are marching past all the fallen soldiers on their way to battle. We refused to stop and peddled on.

From the top it was a winding, fast downhill over some potholes I glad I didn't hit at 30-plus.

The remainder was a pleasant roll through the crop lands of Chico. Pleasant until Tricia took a bee strike to the head. Somehow the little kamikaze managed to get under her shades and sting her on the side of her head. As always, she bounces back faster than I ever would, and we rolled on to the finish. I'd been hearing a Sierra Nevada Brew calling my name for the last 10 miles, so I was very happy happy to get back to the staging area and find that beer.

Our friend Joyce (Saint Joyce for the rest of the week) got us a shower at her friends house. MMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmm.

BlastRadius

Holy smokes, Tricia takes a beating. Bee strikes, loose handlebar, etc. Sheesh. She's the saint.

rydaddy

Thanks for the report. I like your analogy of table mountain. A friend of mine was one of the "fallen" (It was his first century).

Aside from a few cramping issues I was able to finish with our main pack. I wish I had some photos to offer, but it turned into an all-out hammerfest and I had no time to play. I do have my garmin info for those that would like to see the route. I love google maps!

https://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/5517813

The only gripe I have was they ran out of chicken and made us wait 20 minutes for a teeny portion.

taxi777

Sounds like you guys had a nice mini vacation? What the hell is with Tricia becoming a Cosmic Magnet?
Or is your bad Karma coming back at you but your managing to duck it just in time?
I'll make sure I'm carefull when I start twirling the spaghetti Friday night.

spingineer

Nice report ... well except for that friggin' bee.

I actually ended up doing the other Wildflower ride, in Creston, about 11 miles east of Atascadero. Met up with my old friends from SoCal down there. You probably had more Wildflowers than what I saw. It was still a fun ride.

MyLilPony

Let's see, so far this year I have: 1) bounced through a pothole, messed-up the handle bars 2) small chain ring bolts loose or missing 3) stung by a bee.
Okay, that's my three, I'm done!

By the way, I'm counting this as my first real century ride. Tierra Bella was cut short by the missing bolts (completed 85 miles). I did ride Seattle to Portland last summer, but it was pretty flat and besides, it was all downhill (look at a map )

spingineer

At this rate, you'll be ready for a double ...

taxi777

You guys might wanna come eat with Tony...Just to make sure nuttin happens...Ya know what I'm talkin bout?

taxi777

Hey, yo! Ronnie Baby... Leave the Penguin home...Got it?


Sazs Cathy "Walnuts"

spingineer

Ya talkin' to me?