There will be almost 2,000 cyclists riding through the South
Valley this Saturday as the Tierra Bella Bicycle Tour returns for
its 30th year.
By Jeremy Barousse
Special to the Dispatch
There will be almost 2,000 cyclists riding through the South Valley this Saturday as the Tierra Bella Bicycle Tour returns for its 30th year.
Count on Bob and Kris Thompson to be there as well. The Thompsons won’t be riding and yet the cyclists will appreciate their contributions.
The Morgan Hill couple will again serve food and water to passing cyclists on their 120-mile journey at the CDF Station at Roop and Canada Ave., known to cyclists as the Gilroy Hot Springs rest stop.
“We just want to give them a good rest and get them back on the road,” Bob Thompson said. “Most bikers are tired by the time they get to our rest stop because they just finished a long climb. We just help in any way so they can get back out there.”
The couple, members of the Almaden Cycle Touring Club, will serve all kinds of food at their rest stop on Saturday, from peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to hot soup and cookies.
“It’s fun,” said Bob. “It’s something that people need. It’s rewarding to help people do this.”
Bob Thompson said that this is the couples’ 15th year participating in the event and they have volunteered at rest stops only the last three.
“We’re the ideal rest stop,” Bob explains. “We have the perfect location and it’s a beautiful area with fantastic scenery.”
Bob says that he tries to take pictures of all the riders when they come through his rest stop.
Last year, he took pictures of more than 700 cyclists and posted them on the ACTC Web site.
ACTC member Karl Laucher said the Thompsons are the heralded leaders of the cycling club.
“They’re special people,” said Laucher. “They are the epitome of intellectualism and niceness. They take the lead on every turn, whether by leading rides or volunteering, they show a tremendous amount of leadership.”
Laucher said Bob, who taught at Live Oak High School for 37 years, does an amazing job with the audio and visual dynamics of the club considering his slow loss of eyesight and rehabilitated leg.
Bob has muscular degeneration, and is slowly losing his eyesight.
And sometime last year, he broke his leg on a ride when his bike accidentally tripped over his water bottle when it came loose as he was riding down a hill.
Kris said she can’t wait to help out tomorrow.
“We get an enjoyment out of serving our riders,” Kris said. “They all come in tired and hungry. We just give them what they need and help them on their way.”
Kris, who taught second grade in the Gilroy area for 26 years, said all the riders are thankful for their generosity.
The riders of the Tierra Bella tour will combine for more than 120,000 miles of riding.
And Bob and Kris Thompson will be at the Gilroy Hot Springs stop to personally greet everyone who visits.
