I received an application for the Holstein 100 a couple of months ago from a friend in the Valley Spokesmen. The name of the ride conjured up visions of cows grazing in idyllic landscapes of open fields; a nice and easy ride after the week-long grinding of Cycle Oregon 9.

Well, on September 22, 1996, the cows were there, as was the scenery, but this ride was anything but easy. The course featured hills, hills, and more hills, as well as headwinds and several stretches along busy backroads packed with California drivers whose courtesy, skill level, and safe driving habits are legendary. The predominant bird life was buzzards; around 60 miles into the ride, as my pace started to scrape bottom, I was morbidly thinking of them as a nice touch and hopefully not a premonition!

Before you start getting the idea that this was another Pony Express experience, I must report that the food at the rest stops and finish rivaled that of the famous Chico Wildflower. The seniors of Marin county, who this ride benefited, were busy baking weeks ahead of time. Each stop featured homemade cookies, breads, and other goodies. They knew the secret about bite-sized baked red potatoes. They made real lemonade! And lunch at the end was the best that I've had at any organized century ride. The T-shirts are neat. The scenery is magnificent. There are lots of Holsteins, primarily grazing on hillsides, and the most common odors on the course are those of manure and eucalyptus rather than car exhaust.

So train hard if you want a cycling/dining experience that's hard to beat. You can't wimp out and ride the short 25 mile course because you only get one rest stop - you have to at least do the metric century! Check it out next fall.

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