Sierra To The Sea

Hi all,
I wrote in a journal while I was on Sierra to the Sea so I will now transfer it into my blog.

Day 1-June 20, Saturday. Trip to Bear Valley, Tent Set-up, Bike Set-up
We got up this morning at 0600, thanks to the hotel wake-up call. We showered, ate breakfast. I had a huge bowl of oatmeal which I didn't finish. We brought our bags and boxed bikes to where they loaded them on trucks. We headed off in buses to Bear Valley. We stopped in Angel's Camp for lunch. We met a couple, Kary and Larry from Fort Collins, CO! They are part of a group of 7 from Fort Collins. We will have to meet them all. The bus driver didn't take a left turn to go on Highway 4 to Bear Valley. We went wrong for about 15 miles and then turned around and headed in the right direction. We arrived in Bear Valley shortly before 2 pm. The bike truck hadn't arrived yet so we set up our tent. Since there wasn't much space on the rocky dirt we chose to set up the small red pimple tent on the concrete of the parking lot. Then we went to the main road and took some pictures of the Bear Valley entrance. We saw the bike truck arrive so we went back to the camping area. Andy put the bikes together and we road tested them around the roads nearby. They seemed to ride fine. After we set-up our clothes for the morning we headed to the bar for a beer. We had registered and checked our route maps and drank our beeer. I went back to the tent and got my journal and now I am writing. Dinner is in 10 minutes.

Day 2- June 21, Sunday. Bear Valley to Jackson
As I write this I am in Jackson at St. Sava Mission, sitting by the pool. Our day went well today. My computer shows 74 miles, 5100 ft of climbing and a ride time of 5 hours 10 minutes. There was a lot of climbing but I was prepared for it, I guess becuase things felt OK with me. We rode into camp and set-up the big tent. We have the biggest tent in the camp. We joked that it was our McMansion. The big tent was nice in that there are many ways to hang up sweaty clothing. We set-up the tent and then took showers. After that, Andy found that they were selling beer on draft for $2.00. We each bought one and then split one. We walked down the road to the entrance to the mission and took photos. We went back to the pool and Andy went in. We are waiting for dinner at 6pm.

Day 3- June 22, Monday. Jackson to the Ryde Hotel
We left Jackson at 7:30 am. Along the way we came across a rider who was being put on stretcher and there were CHP present. She went down on an inside turn just before the town of Sutter Creek. We heard later at the first rest stop that she hit gravel and went down. We didn't know if she had been hit by a car or what. It was nice to hear that she only hit gravel. A car impact would have been deadly. We heard later at dinner that she suffered a pretty bad concussion and was being held at the hospital. Her husband was at dinner and Andy found that interesting. Why wasn't he with her? Our first stop was at Lake Comanche. Gradually after that point, we went more into windy areas. So, for much of the ride we were riding in the wind. For the most part it seemed to be a crosswind but there was a fair amount in our faces. The second rest stop was at Woodbridge Winery near Lodi. I discovered pretzel bites which are pretzel squares with peanut butter inside. We took a few photos, ate some more and then were on our way again. The wind was a struggle and we were tired. Our next rest stop was after the "erector set" bridge, 4 miles out from Ryde. Andy wanted some real food so we stopped at a little mart and he bought a potato tri-tip steak burrito. We sat and he ate his burrito. Then we were on our way. We arrived at the Ryde Hotel before 2:30 (kind of like yesterday). We set up the red pimple tent because it was windy and the big tent does not do as well in the wind. We later found that the tents were so tight together it was good we set-up the smaller tent. We showered at some dedicated rooms at the Ryde Hotel. Right now I am writing in the shade (precious commodity, shade in this hot camp ground) on the front patio of the hotel. I plan to hunt down our sagged gear from Rest Stop 1 and then get a wine at the hotel bar. We went down to the hotel dock by the delta and took some pictures.

Day 4 June 23, Tuesday, Ryde Hotel to Lake Solano
So we arrived at Lake Solano at 1:41 but we did less miles...59 miles. It was a good day. The windmill farm was great. Andy took a picture of me in front of the windmill farm. The wind was OK the whole ride. We really didn't get ant true head wind. There was a moderate wind the whole way and nothing too terrible. I was afraid it was going to be hellacious. Our second rest stop was Keating Park. It was pretty hot by that point and it seemed like everyone was riding into the park but no one was leaving. We grazed on Nacho chips and jelly beans. Andy added in oreo cookies. We left and then headed for Lake Solano. Once we got in camp we set up the tent in shady spot. Unfortunately our bags (which were so heavy I could no longer carry mine beyond less than a 100 feet. Besides I was now worried about throwing my back out from the strain so I waited for Andy to take the other strap and help me) were far away from the chosen camp site. We set-up the big tent and then showered. My shower had cool water. After we showered we went to the mart on the the corner and bought beer and chips. Food for the gods! After we walked back to our camp site, we drank some beer and ate some chips. Then we gathered our beer and camera and walked down to Lake Solano which looks more like a river. We gathered with our Sierra to the Sea riders and while I wrote in my journal Andy ventured out into the COLD water of the lake. We enjoyed talking with the others by the lake. That's it for now. Dinner tonight is catered by the Buckhorn Restaurant in Winters. The best! Rumor has it we will be having barbecued ribs. Muy delicioso. They cater the breakfast also which will have some egg dishes and waffles! PS- Today was our 8th anniverary of our church wedding.

Day 5 June 24, Wednesday Lake Solano to Calistoga
We left Lake Solano after having an incredible beakfast of fruit ( I went for honeydew melon), red potatoes, cheese omelet and waffles. There was also oatmeal but I didn't have any of that. It was muy delicioso! After we started riding I realized I forgot to put my route sheet on my bike. Dummy! So, after about 4 miles into riding we climbed Cardiac Hill which really wasn't too bad because I was in my middle chain ring the whole time. Not like Sheep Ranch Road where I was in my baby ring. When I reached Monticello Dam I took some pictures. Someone lost their route sheet so I got lucky and took it. Although the roads were well marked, you really need a route sheet because if you need to be sagged the cell phone numbers are on the sheet. The first rest stop was at 21.1 miles at Turtle Rock. I wasn't really hungry but I thought I should eat something so I ate 2 oreo cookies. We filled our water bottles and were on our way again. We rode for awhile and eventually got onto Lower Chiles Road and Pope Valley Road and it was obvious we were now in wine country with vineyards all around. Our next rest stop was Pope Valley store where many people stopped to eat popsicles. In the heat, boy did these taste good! We then made a photo op stop at Hubcap Ranch. There was another Sierra to the Sea rider there so we had her take our photo amongst all the hubcaps. We turned back on the road and got on Ink Grade Road. I had Andy take my photo for Bella Fiore purposes, and then we were on our way up the hill. It wasn't that bad of a climb, it is just long-about 4.2 miles. I stayed in my middle chain ring again so it wasn't that bad. At the top of the grade was Rest Stop 2. They had sort of a chex mix offered so I ate some of that. It hit the spot. Carbs with salt, just what I needed. The next part of the ride was a long descent down Cottage Road and Deer Park Road. They were well paved though so it was a nice descent. There was a route change because of road construction so we turned onto Silverado Trail and took that all the way into Calistoga. Both Andy and I agreed later that the Silverado Trail seemed never-ending at the end of the day. When we got to Calistoga we found the fairgounds where people were going to camp but we couldn't find the hotel so we stopped and asked a man for directions. We found the hotel and checked in. We brought our bikes into the rooms even though they officially have a no bikes in the room policy. The staff at Sierra to the Sea said it was more of a "don't ask don't tell" policy. We luxuriously took warm showers. I discovered to my consternation that I had developed welts all around my thigh area where the band of my bike shorts went. I showed Andy and he reminded my of my reaction to a set of band aids I used once on my shoulder. Maybe the bike short band was made of the same material? So, I put ointment on them and planned to ride with the band turned up to the outside in future rides. I was amazed with how angry-looking the skin was yet how I didn't feel a thing! After we showered we walked into town and had a beer at the microbrewerey and also split a Caesar Salad. We walked back toward the hotel (Best Western Stevenson Manor) and looked in a few art shops. We were scoping out restaurants for dinner and planned to eat at Bosko's or Checker's for pizza. We asked at the front desk and they said both were equally good. We made our way back to the hotel and now I sit writing in my journal poolside while Andy naps.

Day 6 June 25, Thursday, Calistoga to Duncans Mill (Casini Ranch)
We had set the alarms for 6:00am so that is when we got up. We dressed and dropped our bags outside near the hotel lobby. We ate breakfast at the hotel since they had a pretty plentiful set-up. I had a bowl of cereal and half a bagel. We headed out of town on the main drag turned right and were on our way. We stopped at Jimtown Store and Andy bought a cornbread blueberry muffin which was delicious. While we were there a car club of old woodies went by so I took a few photos. After that we stopped at Rest Stop 1 which was Passalaqua Winery. After that we traveled on a road which I remembered well because it led to a pretty rest stop we took in past years. In past years we bought sandwiches at the Dry Creek Store near Passalaqua Winery and road to the Madrona Manor and ate the sandwiches in the grove of trees in the back. Madrona Manor is a restaurant on a small hill with a nice grove of trees in the back. We went up to the grove for old times and took a pictures of the backs of our bikes showing our nametags as we had done in previoius years. The next rest stop was Rest Stop 2 which was the Moshin Winery. I did a little wine tasting there so I could buy a bottle of wine for our wine and cheese party which was to be at 5:30. I tasted a Sauvignon Blanc and a Chardonnay. The Chardonnay was far superior but so was its price-they wanted $38.00 a bottle. So, I went frugal and bought the Sauvignon Blanc which was $17.00. I also bought a corkscrew as a souveigner. The wine was stored by the clerk with the other bottles Sierra to the Sea people bought and they would be sagged to Casini Ranch. So, at 58 miles we entered Casini Ranch. The conditions were very cool with a wind. After we set-up our red pimple tent (we chose the red pimple tent because it is better in the wind), we showered and changed into cold-weather clothes. That meant jeans, an underlayer, a long-sleeve shirt and a fleece jacket for me. We walked to the little store in the campground and bought a 7up and potato chips and Andy bought a microwave burrito and a chocolate milk. We went back to the tent and we are now inside where it is warmer. Andy is napping while I write in my journal.

Day 7 June 26, Friday, Duncans Mill to Olema
There wasn't a formal breakfast this morning. Oops, before I forget I need to mention the activities of last night. We had a wine and cheese party where we shared the wine from Moshin that I bought. It was fun and I gorged on cauliflower florets with dip and drank a lot of wine. Dinner was barbecued chicken and vegetable lasagna. After dinner they had a talent show and Miguel performed as Arnold Swartzenegger. The show was hilarious. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. Most of the skits were Sierra to the Sea lyrics set to old TV show songs like Gilligan's Island. Andy and I really enjoyed ourselves. So, back to this morning. There was a brown bag breakfast where they provided a bagel, yogurt and banana. We ate part of our breakfast since we planned to stop at Howard's cafe in Occidental not too far into the ride. When we stopped both of us did not feel like big breakfasts so we split a big bowl of oatmeal with brown sugar (this is now turning into my favorite breakfast). Then we powered up Coleman Valley Road which leads to the coast. The vistas at the top where beautiful. When we got to the coast we had a picture of ourselves taken with the backdrop of the ocean and the rocks at the coastal edge. We road along the coast awhile and then the road turned inland. We stopped at the only rest stop of the day at Valley Ford. I ate a little pastry bite and two raspberry newtons. We took off a few layers and put them in the sag wagon. We were off again. The next stop we made was Tomales Bakery and deli. Andy bought a mocha and I bought a Snapple lemonade and ate a Cliff Bar. We were on our way again. The next stop we made was Point Reyes Station which was just two miles from camp. Andy ate a Big Mama meatball sandwich. Then we were off to camp. After arriving in camp, we set-up our red pimple tent, showered and then went up the road to the deli to get some beer. We are sitting at a barbecue table in the shade right now and I am writing in my journal while Andy reads his book. Next day is the last day!

Day 8, June 27, Saturday Olema to Lindley Meadow, Golden Gate Park
This was our last day. We left Olema after a good breakfast of eggs, hash browns and bagels. The riding was mostly near coastal but you couldn't see the ocean. We got to Stinson Beach and right at the end of town was the Mt. Tamalpais Road off to your left. It was a good climb to the Pan Toll Station=3.6 miles. I did well though. I was in my middle chain ring the whole time. There was a crowd of Sierra to the Sea'ers at the Pan Toll Station when I got there. I met up with Andy and we filled our water bottles. Then we took the descent down into Mill Valley. It was a nice descent with pretty smooth pavement. Not like Sheep Shit Road as Andy calls it. Along the way we had to stop twice because the Dipsea Trail Running Race was on and they had flagmen waving them across the road. I took a few pictures. Next we were in Mill Valley and then proceeded on a bike trail that took you to Sausalito. We stopped at a Starbucks in Sausalito for coffee and a slice of lemon loaf. We met and talked to a man who lived in Sausalito who had 3 cute terrier type dogs. He was amazed we road over Mt. Tam. He said he doesn't even like driving that road. We were on our way again and saw some spectacular vistas of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge. Depending upon where you were you could see the 2 towers of the bridge or saw fog streaming through. Of course, I took some pictures. We were on our way again and had to climb the hill to get on the bridge. I had to use may baby chain ring at that point. So, there was a total 0f 3 times where I needed to use by baby chain ring on the whole trip: Sheep Ranch Road (I used it the whole way), just at the last bit on Coleman Valley Road and on the trail up to the Golden Gate Bridge. We crossed the bridge and that was scary. The west side is dedicated to bicyclists only and there is just enough room for cyclists going south and cyclists going north. We were warned by Miguel that there are a lot of people with rental bikes that don't know what they are doing and can be dangerous. I was very cautious, went slow and practically came to a stop when I came to areas where you had to go around a pole. We proceeded on the trail at the end which goes under the bridge and then goes by the Visitors Center. We made our way through part of the city, eventually getting to Golden Gate Park. We made our way to Lindley Meadow. We were done! the end! According to our route sheet we went 417 miles on the whole tour. For the last day I had 37.44 miles and 3053 feet of climbing. They had a nice picnic for us and then we waited for the buses to arrive and for them to load our bikes onto the truck. We had arranged with Miguel, Hector and Rafel to NOT pack our bikes in boxes and have them wrapped in blankets like everyone else. Yeah! We didn't have to take our bikes apart and then put them back together at home. The buses arrived and we were on our way back to San Jose. Lucky enough for some reason they put my bike on top of the sag van instead of the big truck. Maybe because it was new? Anyway, because of this I got my bike right away and we waited for the truck to arrive to get Andy's bike. We went to the Holiday Inn bar and split a beer. Just as we finished we heard the bike truck had arrived. We collected Andy's bike and packed the car. We had to put the duffel bags in vertically because they were so big. We headed home (by the way the temperature was 100 degrees, thank god we didn't have to ride in that!) We stopped at the In-N-Out in Tracy for a burger and fries. We arrived home safely. Nothing at home was amiss and we went to bed at 10pm. Late for us considering on the tour we were in bed by nine every night. It is now Sunday at 6:30 pm as I write this. Now I am logging off. We had a great trip-no flats, no mechanicals, perfect weather, not too much wind where it could have been windy and great food, great people and our bodies held up! We have decided to do the tour next year, also.