2011 - The Primavera Tradition Continues

Although there was not a Primavera Century ride of the magnitude held in previous years, 89 people did turn out for a fully supported ride on April 10. The weather was pleasant, if a little breezy along the Dublin Grade. Everyone finished either the 100 mile, 100 km or 70 km routes with the exception of two mechanicals.

This year's ride was really a last minute adventure. At the beginning of March, Andy Sass sent out an email looking for volunteers, with the vision continuing the tradition of having a Primavera, but at a minimum cost, covering only the 100 K and 100 mile routes, with two rest stops and only as much support as there were volunteers. Sara Lewis volunteered for the Sunol Rest Stop, as did Amy Giles. Teresa Hillstrom and Mark Height took the Dublin Rest Stop. Livermore Cyclery generously allowed use of their premises and bathroom, and donated two large boxes of Cliff Bars. REI came through with a large box of water bottles and Paceline Products sent 200 packets of Chamois Butt'r cream for basically the cost of shipping and handling. An inexpensive patch company was located and 100 patches ordered to keep that tradition alive as well.

As things got closer to ride day, there were more and more volunteers. Jan Green and Luis Facha ran both the Jose Higuera Adobe Rest Stop and the water stop at Palo Verde. Todd Tracy helped at both Jose Higuera and Dublin. Jeni Finch also did double rest stop duty. Kim Daniel helped at Jose Higuera and then ran the return stop at Niles, along with Gary Smith. Gary helped at check-in as did Ken Goldman. Creighton Chong and Dave Ransom volunteered for SAG wagon duty without accepting any gas money. The semi-supported ride had turned into a regularly supported ride with a good number of rest stops and plenty of food. All of the food was basically one (big) trip to Costco. Food buy was based on 80 people and the extra riders allowed for purchase of ice cream treats and sodas at the end back in Niles. Several people signed up for the 70 K route, and that was added as an option.

The most time consuming part of the planning was redoing the routes. Niles was chosen for free bathrooms, as was the Dublin stop. Jose Higuera was substituted for Ed Levin to eliminate fees. The 100 mile route had to be changed to provide a bathroom and food before the Altamont pass. Also, road construction in Livermore made things interesting. Beginning detours were to be added to provide true centuries. As a posted ride, Ken Goldman and Andy Sass checked out the route and finalized it four days before the ride. The changing weather forecast cooperated and the word got out to other clubs. Gary Smith emailed people who had contacted the club asking about the ride. Cherry City cancelled their regularly scheduled ride and posted ours. Veloraptors got a group together.

The day of the ride, everything went smoothly. 49 people from outside the club joined 40 club members for a relatively sunny day. The number of people doing the full 100 miles was down at less than 20. No one has had a chance to ride much this cool and wet year. The club received a lot of good comments about the ride and thanks to the volunteers, the tradition lived on. Next year we plan to return to doing the full event once again.