GILROY -- Braving temperatures in the low 40s, John Konno fulfilled his goal by completing the 100 kilometer course in the 1999 Tierra Bella Bike Tour Saturday. The 45 year old veteran of three Tierra Bellas, who had never done a 100K before, finished the course in 5 hours, 45 minutes.
Using a cast off 30 year old Schwin Continental for the first time, Konno navigated the various hills with little difficulty. The cold temperatures didn’t appear to deter Konno either. What he didn’t anticipate was the fatigue factor. “I’d say the last five miles was sheer torture. My legs were just shot,” said Konno devouring a giant hot dog served to all finishers.
Konno began training back in early February making use of hi-tech stationary bikes at work to supplement his occasional weekend trips. Despite the training, Konno is at a loss for his endurance lapse. “I was more concerned about the hills more than anything and that’s what I focused on,” said Konno.
The 1999 ACTC Tierra Bella was one of many I've done--all since 1986. I've always done the 100K or something a bit longer but never--despite sufficient conditioning--the 100 Mile. For me this was unlike most any of my many previous Tierra Bella tours. I felt compelled to choose the 100 Mile route, or the Bail-out version, since my primary objective was to ride and enjoy Gilroy Hot Springs and the vicinity.
The initial route, for the 100 Mile, was like the 100K routes which head to Gilroy Hot Springs like I always do. It seemed quite a bit colder than any previous rides I had done (as I recall) and stayed colder much of the day (which was uncommon for Gilroy and the area). It was about 38F at 7AM on this Tierra Bella morning and rose only to a high of 60F. I was a bit overdressed, but welcomed the layers since the early part of the route was flat or partly shaded, keeping me chilled. I headed out shortly after 7AM, alone, but amongst several other riders also doing the longer route.
I felt a bit weaker overall, but rested for the tour. The riders with me seem decent and solid as we did the opening segment prior to the climb toward Gilroy Hot Springs and the first Rest Stop. My lack of hill training was a big part of my concern as I mentally compared this year to others. This would simply mean I would need to extend myself as much as any of my Tierra Bella tours. I rode fine until the first hill, then had some shifting mishap which slowed my start up the hill with the others. I tried to fine myself, but only managed to get through it while reminding myself how this was some of the best part of the whole ride.
Upon arrival at the #1 Rest Stop there were already a few bunches of cyclists and plenty of food and drink. This alone was my reason for doing this route--great ride and a great stop.
I departed alone, but was shortly joined by another group which I stayed with as we approached the Canada downhill. I partly fell back due to conditioning, but also in order to give myself more open road ahead for the downhill. Like others I relish a good downhill. This time it went pretty well and as expected caught the group on the decent but was able to ride it without any conflict, given the extra spacing.
This group formed into an informal paceline. I tagged along, but was sort of staying back from pacelining since I did not know them and felt it was not appropriate. I also felt OK and didn't want to ease my workout. It wasn't really a pace line since 2 guys lead these others and more just joined. I stayed at the back, off the line. As we passed many from other routes I was the only one who usually said "Good morning" or "Hi". I generally prefer it when others do this and hoped that this made the ride more social, since some types of riders don't know how to be social. Although I wouldn't expect friendliness from all, all the time, what seems like the faster riders (not the best though), detract in some ways from the tour experience--especially in these cross-over segments.
I cycled alone again as Metcalf was approaching and considered following my plan to do the shortened 100 Mile route. Good reason, perhaps, left me. I knew Metcalf would be tough, but I could get through it--at the cost of the remainder of the tour (I feared). Again I had some shifting problem and should have taken the jacket off before the hill. About halfway I stopped to remove the jacket and take a break (I usually go slow but never stop, but it happens sometimes). My water bottle cap was also messed up so only with a stop could I hydrate. I made it and enjoyed, for the second time during the day, some really nice areas I visit rarely.
Without a doubt, this time, this Rest stop--Metcalf--was my favorite. The goodies, people, pictures and all lifted me a bit, knowing I still had many miles to go and would need to use patience and balance. Looking back now, I know I did not eat enough nor drink enough and when I did I rode better and longer. I did not realize this was the first time Metcalf was used for the tour. The "Roads to Rides South" book lists it at 10.9%---the sign (along the road) states 12%. Either way it is a couple of miles and one of the steeper hills in the area.
The low gears were used a lot--as were the middle ones, and the top ones. This is more common for me to do more switching when I'm not in shape. Nothing seems to fit well for long I guess. I was able to head out of the San Felipe Valley, into and out of the Coyote Valley (via Bailey) OK. I was mostly alone with only a few folks to be seen--usually passing. Since I know the area pretty well I knew what and how much more was needed which helps as one gets closer.
I saw some folks I knew around Calero, but missed the Rest Stop (which I needed badly). No doubt my preformance suffered a bit without a full break (since Metcalf). I was pretty certain I'd make it all the way, but knew I couldn't race the miles but needed to simply keep spinning and working at my pace as I could on this day. I usually am pretty good at staying on route--but I went from mile 57 to 89 without a stop due to my mistake.
When I got to the final Rest Stop at the school I rested longer, ate and drank more, and visited more than any at of the others. This break made the last segment go by pretty quickly and easier than I had expected. I guess the many miles, even without hills, I ride helped in this regard.
I was disappointed to return a bit late to catch the music at the end and the food/BBQ was either gone or what was left not my sort of food. Having lunch at the end though was good even it it wasn't to my liking.
My ride statistics were 7AM+ start and checked in about 3:20PM. The ride time was a bit past 7 hours. My cyclometer said 103+ (the route sheet says 100.8). I don't want to mention the average ride speed other than to say some of the time I went 3MPH and others above 40+MPH.
All in all this was my first 100 Mile Tierra Bella. No fanfare was necessary--I was glad to finish, glad to have had a nice day and had a chance to ride much of the day and enjoy places I know and some I rarely visit. The ride is always my favorite and will remain so based on the ACTC, the area, and personal history.
The Metcalf/UTC reststop location worked out great. I counted about 300 bicycle riders, so it wasn't quite as many as the 400 that we would have expected for a normally-good weather day. For most of them, it was their first time to climb up Metcalf Rd. They were all suitably impressed. Some even had to walk a portion of the hill. But they were all smiling again by the time they reached the reststop.
Pam Downs put together a good group of volunteers. Pam's hot soup was a big hit. Every rider had some, and many came back for more.
We'd like to thank CSD/UTC for letting our club use this location as a reststop. It made things go alot easier, knowing early-on that this location was ok. The 100-mile route will probably continue to come up Metcalf Road for future Tierra Bella rides. And so we would hope to be able to continue to use the UTC site again each year.
Don Axtell