Wine Country Century Stories
Wine Country Century is so much more than a ride. We constantly hear about how the WCC experience is a lifelong favorite, from the kind people you meet to the opportunity to become your best self.
Below are the stories of actual Wine Country Century riders riding their best life, in their own words.
What’s your story going to be?
The Warmest Group to Meet
2025 was Rohit’s first metric century after hearing about it from a friend. What he loved most about the event was how friendly and fun all the participants were and how helpful and encouraging the volunteers were. Whether it was chatting between bites of the great food or smiling and encouraging each other throughout the ride, he found it’s the people who made the event and the WCC had the warmest group to meet.
Truly a Cyclist Again
December 13, 2023 Steve was hit by a car that caused serious physical and bike damage. Steve quickly decided he needed a goal to get him back on the bike.. He chose the May 2024 Wine Country Century for that goal. That day had its own challenges with a rare winter storm that had Steve soaked and cold by the first rest stop. The encouragement of the “fantastic volunteers and friendly riders” helped Steve complete the ride and know he “was truly a cyclist again.”
My Happy Place, My Therapy
Ashley found cycling in 2022 and it quickly became her happy place, her therapy, but it would soon become much more. She enjoyed her first Wine Country Century with a group of coworkers that year. But her world changed in an instant when she suffered a traumatic brain injury in February 2023. The WCC 2023 became her motivation to get back on a bike. She completed the May 2023 WCC and proved to herself she could still be the person she was before the accident.
Finding New Firsts at 91
by Gerd Rosenblatt
Gerd Rosenblatt was not new to riding centuries when he rode the full 100 miles at age 91 in 2025.. But he made it a landmark riding it with his Peruvian “granddaughter” for HER first century. Another example that the WCC is a lifetime achievement that can be shared at any age.
A Wife, a Shark Attack(!), and a New Tradition
by Steve Bruemmer
Steve rode his first Wine Country Century in 1994 and on that fateful day met his wife. They rode the WCC 4 more times including for their 30th wedding anniversary in 2025. That ride had additional significance for Steve as it was his comeback from a great white shark attack in 2022 that nearly killed him. In 2026, Steve and his wife Brita plan to start a new WCC tradition when their daughter joins them to attempt her first century!
A Girlfriends’ Tradition
In 2014 Kathleen sent an email to her closest women friends about the Wine Country Century being a well-organized event with great food and a lovely route. They have now enjoyed it many times now as a complete wonderful weekend with friends.
Taking My Life Back
by Paul Asbury Seaman
Stage 4 cancer and chronic depression could completely overwhelm anyone. But Paul Seaman decided he was going to take his life back less than a year after cancer surgery “left a Frankenstein-like scar halfway down my back.” And he decided to do it through the Wine Country Century. Paul not only took his life back, but he gained something else: the realization of how incredible the cycling community can be in your life. You do not want to miss Paul’s story.