Tierra Bella, Primavera, or wine country century ride?

[ricebowl]

Researching what springtime century ride I should do. The Tierra Bella, Wine Country Century, strawberry fields forever, and Primavera are the three I'm considering. Kinda lukewarm on the primavera, seems like a route I could do a self supported century ride on.

Things that are important to me
1)scenic route
2)quality of route i.e. little to no traffic, condition of roads, etc.
2)good food, but maybe the food's the same at most organized rides?

[johnny99]

I've done the Tierra Bella, Primavera, and Strawberry Fields. Liked the Primavera the best because of the route and scenery.

[DiabloScott]

I've done all but strawberry - Tierra Bella's probably the hardest, but not by much. Wine Country probably has the least traffic but some of the roads aren't that great. Primavera's probably the biggest as far as number of riders. I'd do any of them again.

[ericm979]

I've done all of them. They're all good. Strawberry has the best food.

[Beaker]

I've done primavera and WCC twice. I think WCC is a great ride *if* you take the 200K coastal option. If not, then course underwhelms me a little - especially the return leg. I'm not a big fan of rollers. Primavera is a course that I like - I really enjoy riding along Calaveras and also the part by Flynn road, but you do have to deal with riding through union city and Livermore too. I know that last year's was cancelled due to lack of registrants(?) but understand that this year the organizers are trying to spruce up the route to minimize the amount of time going through the urban parts.

The Tierra Bella, Wine Country Century, strawberry fields forever, and Primavera are the three I'm considering.

Reminds me of

NOBODY expects the Spanish Inquisition! Our chief weapon is surprise...surprise and fear...fear and surprise.... Our two weapons are fear and surprise...and ruthless efficiency.... Our *three* weapons are fear, surprise, and ruthless efficiency...and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope.... Our *four*...no... *Amongst* our weapons.... Amongst our weaponry...are such elements as fear, surprise.... I'll come in again.

[danec99]

Food? Rest stop #3 on the Strawberry Fields ride is almost the end of you - it is at a Family Farm. They are making crepes and have really good fresh apple pie. Problem is you still have 15 miles or so. Pace yourself. The lunch stop is ok too, make your own sandwich thing, but lots of options. Very rural for almost the whole route until the last 15 or so miles (60 mile option.) Plus you get to ride Tustin Rd!

The Tierra Bella is a really nice scenic ride in an area I had never ridden. Some city riding. Many liked the food, I just want a burger at the end of a long ride.

Primavera was my least favorite, as others have mentioned no fun in getting to Calaveras, however from then on very nice ride. Good food at the end. But I do ride much of that route semi-frequently so it isn't really worth it.

WCC I have never ridden but that is a great area, yes the roads can be a bit rough but nice, remote riding is always fun.

[ricebowl]

Thanks for the info. lol beaker, strawberry fields was added later and put me over.

I think strawberry's the one. Crepes, pie, lowest rider limit @1200, new to me roads/route.

kinda okay looking jersey.

[cccorlew]

Tierra Bella has had the best jerseys of any ride I've done.

[sarals]

Tierra Bella does have great jerseys!

I'm doing the Tierra Bella again this year, the century option this time - I have to do that climb to Henry Coe (and live through it).

I've done the Strawberry as well as Tierra Bella, but not the Napa or Primavera. IMHO, the Tierra Bella is a great ride, and you do have options on length and difficulty. The scenery is pretty awesome, and I really like the organization and the food. Traffic was variable - there was a stretch last year that was on 152, but not for too long.

I'd say the same for the Strawberry, except I felt the roads and scenery were better at the Tierra Bella.

I've ridden in Lake County - if the roads around Napa are anything like the condition of the roads up there - well, ummm....a suspension would be helpful! Just sayin'!

[DiabloScott]

Santa Rosa's registration delayed due to a computer glitch.
http://srcc.memberlodge.com/Default.aspx?pageId=750791

They have nice jerseys too!

[DiabloScott]

Wine Country half gone in the first 7 hours (overnight).

[MetinUz]

Another option is Grizzly Peak century the day after Wine Country, on May 6. I rode it couple years ago, nice route with a lot of climbing (almost 10,000 ft), and really good food.

[todman007]

If you were thinking about the WCC for 2012 I believe it's full

Otherwise, Primavera was a plus for me, rode with Pete, Ron and Richard a couple years back. They took me under their collective wing 'bout half way thru.

Also like the Grizzly Peak Century. Always like the part near the refinery Plus one gets to ride all the eastbay monuments like the 3 Bears, Pig farm, Canyon area.

[ricebowl]

Must be a good ride to sell out that quckly. I signed up for the strawberry.