My first Apple Cider Century and great to see the large crowd gathering at Ragle. And my first time doing one hundred on an unsupported ride, so I ask Susan Noble what she is carrying in the way of food. She shows me a handful of energy sources and welcomes me to “our world.” Put some fig bars and gel shots in my pocket and I’m good to go. Also first time riding to Cazedero, up Fort Ross Rd., and down Meyers Grade through Jenner to 116. The crowd gives me comfort in that I can do this! Talking with Robin Z. takes my mind off my internal doubts. Looking over to my right I see the CD riders lined up, almost as if they are at a start line, although they are facing the crowd, not the exit. There are bunches of people clustered around Bridgette for the AB option and Dennis for a shorter B pace option.

Bill stands on the truck and gets everyone’s attention. How much can you say to more than 50 riders? How much do they hear? The CD group is released and MarC takes off with about a dozen, maybe more. Wonder what it’s like to ride "D pace on the climbs and C pace on the flats?” Is that like a constant speed over the whole ride? I think, “Now that’s a way to cull the herd.”

Bill leads us out. A huge group heading out from Ragle; stop signs and transitions help to spread the riders out. At Graton Rd., someone turns left and a bunch of others follow. I yell out, “Wrong way!”, and keep on straight. Robin and I ride over Green Valley and to the first rest stop in Monte Rio. He rides on where I stop to use the restroom. I don’t see Robin again. There’s a cluster of riders at the park in Monte Rio, getting relief and refueling. I decide to go on alone at this point as I’m sure I’ll be passed on the Fort Ross climb. Along River Rd I catch up to Joyce and Sherry and ride with them to Cazedero, where Sherry demonstrates the water stop etiquette by purchasing a half gallon of water and sharing it with me and Joyce. The remainder is left on the steps of the store for the next group of riders. I ask if they mind if I hang with them and they agree without hesitation. Dennis arrives just as we are about to leave. 

We start to climb. I concentrate on breathing while Joyce and Sherry are having a conversation most of the way up. I feel fortunate that they have each other to talk with so I can stay with them. At Meyers Grade we regroup and head out again. Cows in the road! We slow and ride around a bunch of cows who are on the wrong side of the fence. Joyce and I quick-stop to add a layer before we descend into the mist on the lower half of Meyers Grade. A quick regroup at Hwy 1 and we’re off to Jenner. The mist is gone and we have great views of the ocean and coast. Some pace line work and we make it to Duncans Mills where we meet up with a faster bunch. I eat a slice of pizza, a cinnamon pastry and drink water. Del Bogart and Lynn Best decide to join us. We ask Bonnie too, but she heads out before we are ready.

Now that the big climb is behind us, it’s supposed to be easier from here, right? Well, I fall off the back on the BoHo ‘climb’. I catch up and pass Del stopped on the side of the road as his chain dropped, so when he catches me, we ride together through Occidental and down the other side. We catch Joyce, Sherry and Lynn just before reaching Freestone, with me drafting behind Del most of the way. A quick stop for water at Wildflour Bakery and we’re off again. On Franklin School around mile 73 I’m falling back again on the uphill. At Whitaker Bluff we stop to talk with Bill who is taking on some calories and enjoying the view, which allows me to catch the group again.

Arrive at Tomales and we scatter between the store and the bakery for whatever we need. Bonnie joins us, but as Del and I are lounging, and talking, in the deck chairs, we notice that Joyce, Sherry and Bonnie are gone. We strap on our helmets and with Lynn, set out to catch up with the women before turning left on Twin Bridges. Mission accomplished. Then we hit the Carmody bump and I fall off the back again. Legs are hurting but I keep pushing. Over the top and flying down the other side. I catch the group on Bloomfield and we are, more or less, together all the way back to Ragle. On Pleasant Hill Rd., waiting for a green light at Bodega, I say to Del, “I’m pretty sure I’m going to make it now”, and I was right.

Thank you Bill for leading your 23rd, and my 1st, Apple Cider Century! Thank you Sherry, Joyce, Del, Lynn, Bonnie and Robin Z. for the companionship on the ride and making it so much FUN!