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The ride this year started out dry as we prepared to start riding. However, before we got into Calistoga, everyone was wet and ready to get a room for the night instead of camping.  And so we did.  Nice to be able to be so flexible!

On the second day, there was discussion about changing the rest day to avoid riding three days in the rain.  After a wet morning, the decision was final and we made reservations at the Anderson Valley Inn (Philo) for two nights. So, the day was a bit shorter than planned but we had a couple riders who were on a mission.  Each day they added mileage to their adventure.

Our rest day was spent in Philo. The owner of the Inn allowed us to use his shed for storing the bikes and as a workshop.  Some folks cleaned their bikes and gave lessons on tire changing to others. Even after all that hard work, there was plenty of time for exploring the town and some of the wineries.  Each winery was a bit different.  One had a parrot and dogs while another had an art gallery with a variety from paintings to photos to ceramics and more. One had pear trees that were just dropping their fruit so we helped ourselves to a taste.

Finally! We woke up to a day that promised sunshine. It was a promise that took a little time to fulfill but by mid-day, the road was dry and the sun was shining.  This was the day we rode through the redwood forest and made it out to the ocean. After the fantastic views through the woods and along the coast, we were finally able to camp again at Manchester Beach KOA.

From Manchester Beach to Bodega Bay, we were riding along the coast. There were some challenging sections as the road climbed and climbed before some steep downhill. We ended at Bodega Dunes State Park with a great site.  We were finally able to have a campfire but the marshmallows never did get roasted.

Our final day was heading inland back to Napa. Going through Sebastopol, there is a great bike path that keeps one off the roads and away from the freeways.  After a final lunch stop, the riders headed out on some back roads to Glen Ellen and worked their way back into Napa.

What a fantastic week. Dan and I had a wonderful time supporting the riders.  We are looking forward to next year!

interesting old church in Philo

Charlene leaving Geyserville

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This was a last minute option for 2010 and the first time we partnered with the Rotary Club of Lakeport. Considering this, we were pleased to have several folks show interest in the ride. Because we had a small group, Dan and I were able to ride our bicycles too which was a treat.

We stayed at Clear Lake State Park for the tour so had the advantage of not having to pack up and move every day. Another nice plus for this ride.

Our first day of riding started with a run into Lakeport and a great bakery. After coffee and pastry we were off to country roads, passing the local airport along the way. We also rode through Kelseyville. It was a pleasant, 30 mile ride with enough climbing to make it interesting.

Saturday was the Konocti Challenge which is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Lakeport. They have been doing this ride for many years and do a great job. Note the MASH unit rest stop along the way.

The ride was previously named Peddle the Puddle which is cute but probably doesn’t do the climbing justice, especially if you choose the 100 mile route. We did the metric century and that was plenty of climbing for me! The weather worked to our advantage – it was overcast which helped keep it cooler.

Before heading home on Sunday, we, of course, had to stop at a coffee shop. We then did a 40 mile loop on Scotts Valley Road and around Blue Lakes at the northwest end of the lake. Another great day.

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Last Thursday, we met with five riders for a weekend of challenging but rewarding riding.

Thursday was meeting day. Everyone arrived in time for dinner. Tents were set up before dark. All was good.

Friday we started out from Pleasure Cove Marina at the south end of Lake Berryessa after a hot breakfast prepared by none other than Chef Danjo! As the riders neared Clearlake, they suffered through the worst climb in the heat before a cooling ride down the other side into the campsite for the next two nights.

On Saturday, we were able to get on the road earlier. The ride took us along the base of Konocti Mountain which included plenty of climbing before getting into the flats around the north end of Clearlake. The riders zipped through this section before stopping for lunch at a cute little park on the northwestern side of the lake. There was more climbing to get back to camp – again, it was hot!

Sunday seemed more organized in the morning as the cook became more comfortable with his new kitchen. We broke camp and headed back toward Berryessa going up Hwy 29. Some of the climbs were strenuous and the heat was the worst of the weekend.

There were five brave souls who did the ride. Mike, the machine (he was first in each day); Javier, the determined (he continued trying despite the heat and hills); Laurie, the tenacious (she was riding a heavy machine with platform pedals); Gary, the finisher (his daughter did not have her baby during the ride); and Phil, the quiet one (one always has to watch out for the quiet ones…)

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This year’s Tour of California Stage 2 on May 17 will ride by Lake Berryessa and along Pope Canyon Road.  These are some of the roads we will be on a month later on Grimes Getaways’ Lake Berryessa to Clearlake tour.  There is still room for more riders.  Come along with us and enjoy this beautiful part of California.

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Sunday 8/4/09

Gathering day.  Lynne rode up with Dan and me.  April and Kryia were waiting on the step as we drove in.  Tony showed up a bit later.  Everyone found a spot to “camp” in the house.  Dan got dinner ready.  April pulled out a jigsaw puzzle and everyone took turns working on it, some more than others.

Monday 8/5/09

Groveland to Coulterville and back – the hard way!

After a relaxed breakfast and stalling to wait for the day to warm up a bit, we were on our way.  Its only 44 miles so no reason to hurry.  Hey! Who put all these climbs on the first road?!?  Now we’re getting into a bit of a rhythm, up, down, up, down.  Some concern for the Priest Grade downhill but Caltrans was working on the road and stopped us near the top.  After letting all the cars and trucks go by, we head down with no motorized traffic on our wheels!  Wheeeee

At the bottom of the descent, we make a left and go visit Moccassin Fish Hatchery and use the facilities.  No one appears to be working there today but we visit the fish anyway.

trout at the fish hatchery

A leisurely side trip into the Moccassin Power House area to visit the building constructed in 18??  Cute little community there which supports the workers.

community of Mocassin-along the reservoir

Next, it appears we have some level road.  We do but not for long.  There is a long climb over the hill to Coulterville.  From the summit, one can really get moving but don’t go too fast or you’ll zip right through town and miss the lunch stop.  We stopped in a nice little park in Coulterville for lunch, used the handy restrooms and headed on out.

Climbing the hill to get to Coulterville

A left turn in the middle of town put us on the return road.  This started out with some climbing and some downhill runs.  Eventually we made another left.  More hills. 

getting ready to hitch a ride on SAG-tough hill!

 

Then our next left turn with a +20 percent gradient.  Dang!  I wasn’t sure I’d make it but I rode to the far side of the road before turning and that helped.  We continued up and down the hills with a stop at the place where Tony’s dad’s cabin used to be.  We walked a bit down the hill and saw a steep ravine with a creek.  That’s where the cabin had been.  I was built on stilts over the creek.  Tony had a photo of the cabin which helped us to picture how it must have looked.

After that break, we started out again.  Soon we saw a construction worker.  He wouldn’t flatten the route for us but did tell us we were less than a mile from the top of the Priest-Coulterville Rd.  There was hope that we were done with climbing but no.  All those hills at the beginning of the day were much longer and harder at the end of the day.

Finally!  The final stretch and we took a flatter shortcut back to the house.  A break, some food, recovery drink, hot shower, dinner and completion of the puzzle before climbing into bed for a long night’s sleep.

Tuesday 8/6/09

Groveland Meandering Loop

After the hard work yesterday, everyone opted for the shorter ride today.  It seems folks are not too excited about Ferretti Rd.  There are lots of climbs and this is the second day in a row they have to be dealt with.  However, once we reach Hwy 120, we turn left instead of right so this is new ground.  As soon as possible, we get off the main highway onto some of the side roads.  Much better-less traffic and noise, more able to enjoy the pine, oak, cedar and Manzanita trees along the way. 

hangman tree-what’s left of it

Must a bobcat - note the short tail

A trip down Hell’s Hollow was one of the more enjoyable portions of the ride.  Dan was at the end of the road with food and drink for all.  Then it was back out to Hwy 120 to the ranger station where they had a nice visitor center and restrooms.  April jumped in the SAG vehicle to make sure Dan bought the right food on their trip back into town for grocery shopping.

Kryia decided he needed more of a challenge and so continued on Hwy 120 to the entrance to Yosemite where he had to turn back as they wouldn’t let him through without paying toll.

Lynne, Tony and I rode back to the house on the other end of Ferretti Rd.  It is much better than the portion of Ferretti Rd. where we were this morning and yesterday.  There was hardly any traffic.  Still had hills.  Tony and I saw a fox but it ran off before we could get a good photo.  I felt much better at the end of today’s ride than yesterday’s ride.

We had time to do laundry, get our wi-fi fix at the clubhouse, read books, have a nice dinner and dessert.  Also had time to worry about tomorrow’s ride…

Wednesday 8/7/09

Groveland into Yosemite Valley

Bad start to the day – the plumbing back up!  Fortunately we were able to work around it for the morning.

impromptu break on one of the climbs

Again today no one was in a hurry to get out in the cold.  So we left the house just before 10.  We followed the same route we came in on yesterday to reach Hwy 120.  The rest of the route was just “follow the road” into the Park.  Sounds simple but it involved a LOT of climbing.  It was a beautiful day – not too hot, not too cold, clear sky, light traffic.  Only mishap was a flat after riding through some glass.  The SAG was right there to help and had the floor pump handy.

April opted to drive to the Park.  Kryia rode on ahead although we all met up for a lunch stop together.  Lynne had the tenacity to keep going even though there were times she wanted to give up.  Tony did a great job chugging along.

The reward came once we reached the real summit (not all those false

Entrance to Yosemite!

summits).  It was a fun, easy coast through the tunnels and into the Valley.  Drivers were very courteous.  We were riding at or near the posted speed limit which helped.

Once we reached the Valley floor, it was a pleasure to be out in the open to really see our surroundings.  The folks in cars are at a disadvantage as their view is blocked by the roof of the vehicle.

I got spoiled staying at the house for the first three days.  Had to walk over to the showers (they were nice showers!), then set up the tent and organize the new “home.”  Dan organized the food and got dinner going.  There were lots of warnings about bears and how to keep them out of your tent.  We had to put everything which had any fragrance (food, lotions, soap, etc) in the bear boxes provided.  No bears came around so we must have done a good job although I woke up in the middle of the night and remembered my lip protection was in the tent with us.  Good way to miss out on sleep.  Is the bear going to be interested in that little bitty thing?  Don’t worry-go to sleep.  What if it gets the bear thinking there might be more?  Don’t worry-go to sleep.  I don’t hear any bear noises.  Don’t worry-go to sleep.  

Thursday 8/8/09

Yosemite Valley

It was a cold morning but we managed to get up and out of the tents.  We built a fire to help get warm while eating breakfast. 

warming by the fire in Yosemite Valley

Once the sunlight hit the valley floor, it warmed up nicely.  Each of us wandered off to explore the area.  The bus system was nice as were the trails.  Didn’t see any dangerous, wild animals – just squirrels and birds.  There were lots of ravens in the area.

El Capitan? Not sure but amazing

The geography is absolutely amazing.  If one has never been there, it is almost unbelievable.  In fact, when the first white men tried to show others via paintings about the area, people did not believe them.  It wasn’t until photographs were taken that people believed what they were told and starting coming to visit.

Just a bit before we arrived, there had been a rock slide.  This is “normal” for the area.  There had been snow in the higher elevations which closed some of the passes the previous weekend.  So, I feel very lucky to have had such great conditions for our ride!

Friday 8/9/09

Yosemite to Groveland

Kryia and April decided to leave us early and do their own exploring by car today.  We had to say an early goodby to them. 

See you later, April.

Lynne and I were uncomfortable with the climb out of Yosemite Valley on narrow roads with no shoulder.  So we hitched a ride with Dan up to where we felt safer on the road.  Tony started out by bike on his own.  Once Dan dropped Lynne and I, he went back to get Tony.  We all met up at the same Texaco station where we’d had lunch two days before.  The cycling this day was almost too easy.  Lots of downhill which made us realize how much climbing we’d done to get into Yosemite National Park.

After arriving back at the house, Tony and Lynne headed on home.  Byeee

Dan and I did some clean up and tried, again, to find a local plumber.  Looks like that problem will have to be dealt with next week.

All in all, it was a fantabulous bicycle tour!