Fort Bragg - Bodega Bay

  

From all accounts Bernie tells us that Thursday’s ride is to be the longest of the whole trip – more than a century long –actually it will be 170 kilometers or just over 100 miles.  Destination is Bodega Bay, straight down Highway 1 from Fort Bragg.  Breakfast was slated for 7:30 at the motel but the early risers walked over to the local McDonald’s for a warm breakfast before 7:00 already.  They just couldn’t wait to get on the road for the long journey.  Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches were made in advance to hand out to the cyclists who were not going to be taking long stops today.  We, in the van, would be the paparazzi today – the cyclists had to keep their eyes on the road constantly because of the ups and downs and curves.

The quaint towns we are passing through today have their grocery stores, delis, bakeries, craft stores and art galleries all rolled into one.  Coffee at Elk costs us $2.25 – good thing I had my senior McDonald’s at breakfast earlier.   In the previous paragraph I say straight down Hwy 1 which is not the case  – Hwy 1 is not straight at all.  Beyond Elk, the road descends and then climbs back up with a series of tight, steep switchbacks.  Take heart, as Bernie also told us, this short climb is the steepest on the entire Pacific Coast and they would have done it before lunch which was to be at Anchor Bay.  At places Highway 1 becomes narrow and winding with a minimal shoulder that occasionally disappears.  There are many vista points marked along the route but the cyclists aren’t lured off their bikes to see the views – they have only one thing on their mind, let’s get this day over with.  We are stopping to take the pictures so they can see them from our perspective.

We arrive in Anchor Bay to find Bill and John sitting in a bus shelter, bikes parked – we aren’t sure if they are hoping a bus would come along or if they are waiting for the other cyclists.  The whole time we are there, a bus never shows up so they hop back on their bikes and go some more.



  The fog is also rolling in from the water so our vista stops aren’t  displaying  quite  the spectacular views as before.  We got our shots earlier.  We’re still seeing grass covered hills, albeit dry grass, miles of traditional wooden fences, surf battered cliffs, sheltered coves and a wide array of weathered sea stacks which provide an awe inspiring backdrop for  the ride.  

The ride from Fort Ross to Bodega Bay is narrow,  winding,  and steep  .  Wandering cattle and the cattle guards that are supposed to keep the cattle from wandering too far, add an extra challenge to the cyclists and drivers alike.

   From out of nowhere two cows cross the road in front of us.  We were able to stop –obviously the grass was greener on the other side and we sure did not see much green grass today.

 The first cyclist was in Bodega Bay by 3:45 – the last ones in were here by 5:00 p.m.  Everyone can be complimented for what they did today – it was quite a feat – even those driving the van have to be complimented for a job well done with the many hairpin turns and ups and down....here's Wilma relaxing while waiting for the cyclists to show up.

One more day to San Francisco and one more day for John VanderSteen to be 68.  He was the first one in today so can be congratulated for someone his age being able to do this!

The total ride was 172 kilometers today....no one would want to do this particular day over. After eating a good meal, they were all in good form again but no one is staying up late tonight.

 Poor John Koning had a flat just 6 kilometers into the ride - he's the winner for the most flats at this point.  He's still smiling!