Strawberry Fields Forever

Despite good press by the people that had done it before, great food, and beautiful scenery, I did not enjoy the Strawberry Fields Forever Century this year. Before I explain, however, I will describe the route, food stops and support. Then I'll get into my experience for this year's ride.

The first 30 miles of the route takes you up into the Santa Cruz mountains along some of the most beautiful bicycling I've done. The road is heavily shaded by trees with occasion brooks bubbling beside or under the road. The first 10 miles consists of a steady climb of 1800 feet (see the profile below). While the climbing is constant, the grade is not too difficult - especially early in the ride. Follow that there is a 10 miles section of rolling hills along the crest of the mountains - with some spectacular view of the valleys below. Finally, there is a 10-mile descent into the first (RUSSIAN) rest stop.

The second section moves toward the ocean. After a few rolling hills, the route paralleled the ocean - again a beautiful vista with strawberry fields in the foreground overlooking the ocean far below. Much like the Nipomo Mesa, only the ocean was closer. After 15 miles you reach the second (ITALIAN) rest stop, which is located next to charming Pajaro River

The third section of 20 miles begins with a route which cross flat fields, much like cycling in the Santa Maria area. The last 10-miles, however, include some of the steepest hills of the ride. While they are not long, there are quite sharp (9 percent grade). This section ends at the lunch (JAPANESE) stop.

The four section (10-mile) to the fourth (APPLE RANCH) rest stop is the flattest portion of the ride. It is not very pretty or interesting - at least compared to the rest of the ride.

The fifth section (again about 10 miles) takes you back into the hills for some more climbing in the trees, shade and brooks. This hill is only about a third as high as the hill that started the ride. Again the grade was not bad. There follows another down hill to the last (RUSSIAN) rest stop (which was the same as the first one).

The last section returns you to the starting point along some rolling hills. This is a fairly pretty area, although the last part does bring you back into the city.

The rest stops provide the most unique collection of food I've encountered on any of the rides.

• RUSSIAN. In addition to the usual assortment of foods and drinks at rest stops, Russian pancakes were served here. Also, two of the people helping out were recent emigrants from Russia - thus the name.
• ITALIAN. Here Latte was served as the special treat. In addition there were three Italian men dressed in racing gear serving us.
• JAPANESE. The lunch consisted of sandwiches. There didn't appear to be any thing Japanese about the stop, but the service was good.
• APPLE RANCH. Here we got a tasty tart - not as good a Linn's pie, however.
• DINNER. The dinner served at the end was chicken, but I thought it was tastier than most - perhaps because it wasn't BBQ. There were also strawberries and chocolate.

So what could be wrong with this ride? I started the ride early - at 7:00 AM sharp - the temperature was about 60. During the first section, I missed a turn and continued up the hill - doing an extra 300-400 feet of climbing. This was were I discovered that the route slip had lots of mileage errors in it - I became much more watchful of the road so I wouldn't miss the road markings. It was early, however, and I didn't mind the extra climbing. The roads were rough on this section, so I did not enjoy the long descent.

The next 50 miles were in the sun. It was about 9:30 when I left the first rest stop, and it was already getting hot.

By the time I left the second rest stop, it was approach 11:00 an the temperature (on the road was in the 90's). As I approached the lunch stop, the temperature climbed to 100. At the same time, we had those steep hills I mentioned above. I was ready to quit the ride. As I approach the lunch stop, I saw one fellow loading his bike into the SAG for a trip out of the heat - it looked like a good idea!

But, the one kind volunteer wandered around the crowd of HOT riders sprinkling them with water from a spray bottle. It really helped to dissipate some of the heat. That, the food and the rest stop and some time in the shade gave me some confidence I could continue.

After feeling okay for a mile or two, I heated up again so that the the rest of the way to rest stop four was HELL. The temperature was now over 100 and I was exhausted - at least my ability to take the heat was spent. Again I contemplated quitting, but they had sprinklers at the fourth rest stop, and that revived me again.

The next section was much hiller, but we got out of the sun and into the shade. I really enjoyed it and found that I had plenty of energy for the climbing - just not for riding in the sun.

The finishing section was back in the sun and I suffered all the way to the finish - fighting a cramp in one leg for the last half mile.

The ride would have been a real joy if the temperature had stayed below 80, but when it peaked at 103, it really took the joy out of the ride for me. The only joy that was left was the sense of accomplishement when I finished. It took me longer (n terms of both riding time and elapsed time) than any other ride this year - all because of the heat.