I think I am going to title this ride the "Redemption Ride". I volunteered as ride leader for the Prez ride on this beautiful fall day and feel very proud that I redeemed myself as a worthy contender as ride leader. A few weeks ago I had a few, ah, mishaps shall we say, on the annual Yosemite ride. Damn new fangled GPS technology, ok ok, it was user input error. But today was a raging success as I created the route map and was successful at keeping us on course. Whew!
Catfish and Doug were ensconced in conversation and a booth when I arrived at Hubcaps Diner in Walnut Creek for breakfast. A little Aerostich de-robe dance and I was right there too. We scarfed down a yummy breakfast and we were clutches out on a north bay loop.
Before we headed around Lake Berryessa we ran into Greg Leopold and some friends of Doug's at the 121/128 split. We chatted and hung out a bit and it was good to see Greg doing better from his knee surgery. He is cane-less now and walking around pretty well. We headed off around the lake and then up Knoxville Rd. I missed our shooting adventure, Craig had taken us to the shooting range last year off Knoxville Rd., but I smiled and said a few words to him as we passed the turn off.
Knoxville Rd. turns into Morgan Valley Rd. and I forgot how much fun that was...wheeeeeee. Hardly any traffic and fun twisties. We dropped down into Middletown for lunch at the Mount St. Helen's Brewing Company. Gee, I haven't eaten in 3 hours, I was famished ;-) ... not really, but again, gotta go with the motto: Ride To Eat, right. It was however a hot, dry, dusty day and I was parched so a cold beer did go down pretty easy. Hey, where's John Wayne when you need him. Catfish had a nice glass of apple cider and Doug opted for the smart thing to do and had water. When we left the restaurant and came out onto the sidewalk it looked like a darn Harley invasion...Mars Attacks (the movie) came to mind...sheesh. They were all lined up down the street and I could swear I heard them chattering, oh wait, maybe that was just oil leaking ;-) ... Yes, I am going straight to hell for that one but couldn't resist....did I say that out loud.
We were soon on our way bopping down Butts Canyon (hehe). Ok, Beavis and Butthead just popped into my brain, oooh shiny things. Alright, focus Grasshopper, back to the story. We finished the ride heading down Lower Chiles Valley, Sage Rd., and then Wooden Valley Rd.. All in all a great day, mellow ride for the most part and everyone back safe and sound, and just in time for another meal ;-) ....
Thanks to Catfish and Doug for a great day, great company, great ride!
I was so elated about the GPS working that I neglected the camera :( .. these are the only shots of the day. Whups.
Click on the thumbnail for larger view
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