T h e   H o l s t e i n    i s   a 
  b r e e d   o f   d a i r y  
c o w   k n o w n   t o d a y  
a s   t h e   w o r l d ' s  
h i g h e s t   p r o d u c t i o n   d a i r y   a n i m a l .  
O r i g i n a t i n g   i n  
E u r o p e ,   H o l s t e i n s   w e r e   d e v e l o p e d   i n 
t h e   N e t h e r l a n d s .
T h e   o r i g i n a l  
a n i m a l s   w e r e   t h e  
r e g i o n a l   c a t t l e   o f  
t h e   B a t a v i a n s   a n d  
F r i s i a n s    i n   t h e  
c o a s t a l   R h i n e  
r e g i o n   a r o u n d  
2 , 0 0 0   y e a r s   a g o .
T h e   D u t c h  
b r e e d e r s   b r e d   
w i t h   t h e   a i m   o f  
o b t a i n i n g   a n i m a l s  
w h i c h   w o u l d   m a k e   b e s t   u s e   o f   g r a s s ,   t h e   a r e a ' s   m o s t  
a b u n d a n t   r e s o u r c e.   T h e   r e s u l t ,   o v e r  
t h e   c e n t u r i e s ,   w a s   a n   e f f i c i e n t ,  
h i g h - p r o d u c i n g  
b l a c k - a n d - w h i t e  
d a i r y   c o w .   I t   i s  
b l a c k   a n d   w h i t e  
d u e   t o   a r t i f i c i a l  
s e l e c t i o n   b y   t h e  
b r e e d e r s .

Children’s author Bill Peet wrote and illustrated a wonderful book about a pig, not a Holstein cow. The animal had Holstein-like markings which made it famous in the circus because all of its black shapes represented the earth’s continuents!.

Brothers, Thomas Tomasello and Daniel Canada

"Challenges notwithstanding, we both came away from the ride with an incredible sense of accomplishment combined with camaraderie for our fellow bikers, the most friendly and enjoyable staff and, of course, each other.

We both greatly appreciate the opportunity West Marin Senior Services provided in the form of the Holstein 100.  Of course the scenery and the variety of cows contributed much to the enjoyableness of the day (those black and white Holsteins are still my favorite)."

Please visit photocrazy.com to view images of the Holstein 100. They will kindly donate a percentage
of their sales to West Marin Senior Services.  We welcome you to email us your comments and photos..

Voted the Best Century of 1996 by

2009 Major Sponsor:

Additional Sponsors:

Genworth Financial
Star Route Farms
Clover Stornetta
Sacred Heart Church
Hog Island Oyster Company
Dancing Coyote Beach

Tony's Seafood

Black Mountain Ranch

The Olema Inn

LaFranchi Ranch, Nicasio

MALT

Pt. Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company

Voler Custom Cycling Apparel

Palace Market

Little Organic Farm

Noah's Bagels
O'Donnell's Fairfax Nursery
Whole Foods Market
Alhambra Water
Allstar Organics
Peet's Coffee and Tea
United Markets

Laurie Sawyer, Artist

Brickmaiden Breads
Wild Blue Farm
Kaiser Permanente

PowerDown Lighting Systems

Comments by last year's riders

"You Rock!" ... “I’ve done the ride before. It’s the best ride in California” ... “It was all great. Quick, efficient check-in”
“Great ride! Great people!” ... “Improve? No way. Great job” ... “Volunteers, over the top fabulous!!”
“Party hats on the cows. More cow stuff. That’s why I came.”

"Route is so beautiful. Rest stops were numerous and well stocked and not crowded. Nice support staff”

“Exceeded my expectations.” ... “I had the feeling that the cattle were talking about me as I rode past. Please, tell them not to do that.”

We invite you to return to our website monthly for training tips, discounts through sponsor links and Holstein cow trivia.