May 26, 2014 - Davis, CA to Placerville, CA

70 miles

Today we finished riding the valley and headed toward the Sierra Mountains....a fairly tough ride today.

The riders were off very early...My roomies were up and down to breakfast just a few minutes after 5 a.m. I think some riders were concerned about the heat that is projected for today and I think one or two were concerned about the climbing during the last quarter of the route. 

I got in a ride this morning on the flats and then it was off to catch up with the riders and offer water once they get off of the bike trail in Folsom, CA.

Some photos from the ride so far...

 Ian, Cath and Marnie at the overlook for the Carquinez Bridge

 Beautiful bike path

 Dan and Jim K taking a break....

 Bike on a hill

Folsom State Prison...no sign of Johnny Cash :-)

A celebratory drink after a long day during Placerville, CA Social/Route Rap

Ian explained how the Brits became known as 'Limeys' -- eaten to ward off scurvy

Bill and Craig on the bike path

We ended the day at the Gold Country Inn, Placerville, CA.

Tomorrow is a really tough day...about 9,000 feet of climbing....gonna be a doozy! Breakfast place opens at 5:30 a.m. and I suspect that most of the riders will be there when it opens....

Tomorrow's ride is from Placerville, CA to Kirkwood, CA.

May 27, 2014 - Placerville, CA to Kirkwood

65 miles

The riders were up and out quite early. My roomies were milling about at around 5 a.m. And bags were loaded in the trailer by 5:25 a.m.

Bill has an issue with his bike, so we are going to get him to a rental car place so he can take his bike back to Davis, CA for repairs. Once done he will return the car and start pedaling up to Kirkwood.

Bill picking up his rental ride...

A sign on the way to Kirkwood, CA near Omo Ranch

Wine tasting anyone?

Now this is a barrel!

Welcome to the Zinzone...

Jacob from Israel riding from East to West chatted with most of the riders and Rich even took a selfie.

The end of civilization in 11 miles!

After yesterday's ride I thought I would have a few people keeping me company in the truck, but no takers. All left, anxious to tackle the big climb. 

A few signs to chart the riders progress...

We ended at the Kirkwood Inn, a ski resort in Kirkwood, CA. Very nice.

Tomorrow we are off to Carson City, NV

May 25, 2014 - Vallejo, CA to Davis, CA

55 miles

We departed Vallejo, CA and headed east up over some hills and down into the valley on our way to Davis, CA.

On the way, I stopped at the Jelly Belly Factory, in Fairfield, CA for a tour and also to get some of those wonderfully delicious jelly beans. I had a blast taste testing a lot of their really unique favors...to include grass clippings, vomit, boogers and skunk, in addition to the standard favors. There was also Bertie Botts from Harry Potter fame. To say the least, the diet took a real hit today.

A couple of portraits done completely with Jelly Belly Jelly Beans...kinda cool.

After the tour which was mostly videos since it is Sunday and the candy makers are off for the weekend, it was off to the super market to get several loaves of bread for PB&Js (or as our British riders say...P N B N J) and then onto the hotel.

Some photos from today's ride....

I arrived at the La Quinta Hotel and low and behold, Clay D. comes rolling in....it is only 11 a.m. For me to arrive at that time I would have had to of left yesterday.

I was able to check in early and then it was off for a short ride [ it is flat... :-) ]

I was even able to find a couple of 'things' that were on my roommates want list...I should win a few brownie points.... ;-)

May 24, 2014 - SF, CA to Rosie the Riveter to Vallejo, CA

41 Miles

Today we departed San Francisco, CA and began our oddyessy across the U.S.

Riders left the Best Western Americania in San Francisco, CA and headed down Market St to the Ferry Terminal for a 35 minute ride to Oakland/Jack London Square. 

After crossing the bay, riders got on the San Francisco Bay Trail and rode to the Rosie the Riveter Memorial and Homefront National Memorial Park. It was rededication day and I arrived just in time for the ceremonies.

 

 

I got the opportunity to meet several of the "Original Rosies"... These ladies were awesome.

The group gathered at the Rosie the Riveter Memorial for another group photo.

I also got the opportunity to change the rear tire on 'Baby' since the tire split in not one, but two places...I guess I rode the rubber right off the tire!

From there we headed to Vallejo, CA and the Comfort Inn.

The weather got warmer (yeah!) and the terrain changed from flat to the beginnings of hills...we must truly be heading east!

Had a late lunch @ Chevy's and then it was time for Happy Hour!

Tomorrow we are off to Davis, CA.