Pain & Pleasure: Cote de Tolosa
[Scroll for photos from the 2011 Cote de Tolosa]
Update: Approximately 45 riders participated in the second running of the Cote de Tolosa. Ryan Hostetter won the women’s division and Blake Anton won the men’s.
click for map
Anyone who likes long, hard cycling events will really enjoy the Cote de Tolosa Velo Challenge II. The Cote de Tolosa incorporates challenging off-road climbing and an overall 3200+ feet of elevation gain with the whoop-de-dos of Turri Road and flat-out fun of Los Osos Valley Road. Unprepared cyclists or those with a low tolerance for pain will likely be brought to tears or worse if they find themselves on this unique ride that in 2010 took the fastest riders 3 hours and the last rider 6 hours to complete.
“Don’t underestimate the course,” warns the 2010 winner Blake Anton. Tolosa Winery winemaker Larry Brooks, the instigator of this event loosely modeled on the underground Grasshopper Adventure Series, just smiles and agrees that this ride is not for the faint of heart. Dedicated sport and competitive cyclists with a foodie streak, however, will enjoy this event that integrates good food and wine with a rather brutal cycling event. Plus, you can enjoy SIP Certified Tolosa Wine at the end of the ride, whether you rode or met friends at the end.
Larry Brooks keeps smiling through the pain: Grasshopper Adventure Series in Northern California
One of Larry’s bikes idles in the corner of his office, a lean single speed. When asked how many bikes he has, he sounds like a politician not quite sure how many homes he owns: ten bikes or eleven maybe? Clearly, local cyclists and foodies benefit from Larry’s passion for challenging cycling experiences and a love of food and wine with the second coming of the Cote de Tolosa gourmet cycling event. This 52-mile event prowls along steep, challenging terrain on both paved and dirt surfaces Sunday May 22.
Starting at 7.30am at Tolosa Winery in Edna Valley, the course climbs up to the West Cuesta Ridge by way of Stenner Creek Road, drops down to the coast via the 41, climbs Turri Road, cruises along Los Osos Valley Road, and ends back at Tolosa. Riders will be crossing their fingers for a healthy tailwind to help scoot their tired selves back to collapse on the grass at Tolosa with a glass of wine. The field is limited to 100 riders who are encouraged to know what they’re doing. Waivers will be signed.
Islay Peak to the north of Tolosa Winery
As the survivors roll back to the beautiful grounds of Tolosa Winery, Larry hopes Cote de Tolosa riders and their friends and supporters will enjoy hanging out at the end of this killer ride. A participant in many cycling events over the years on both pavement and dirt, Larry hopes to foster a fun social component to this hybrid on/off road event. Perhaps more camaraderie develops on dirt because the possibilities open to a whole new scope of pain than what a road cyclist can ever experience on pavement alone. Even if you choose not to launch your metabolism into overdrive by participating in this event, you can still join in on the food and wine back at Tolosa and hear the tales of flats, crashes, and other bike drama.
The SLO County Bicycle Coalition will utilize the proceeds from this challenging ride, delicious lunch, and wine down. Proceeds from the Cote de Tolosa cycling event and catered lunch back at the winery will support the Coalition’s excellent work for cyclists and citizens in San Luis Obispo County. Ride and enjoy a catered lunch afterwards for a $25 donation or, if you want to skip the pain and get right to the pleasure, lunch alone can be had for an $18 donation. The Cote de Tolosa is a great way for the adrenaline set (and their lazier friends) to celebrate Bike Month.
