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Day 02

Much calmer today...mmmmmmmm.

ROUTE: Fairfield CA to Sacramento CA DISTANCE: 57 Miles...a mere pittance WINDS: Westerly light
WEATHER: Sunny and warm...85 in Sac TERRAIN: About as flat as you can get TOTAL CLIMBING: 580 feet

DAILY DOINGS: What a difference a day makes.  Yesterday's hectic scramble to just get out of San Francisco was but a distant memory this morning as we left Fairfield to cool temperatures and nice tail winds.  After yesterday, today's navigation was anything but challenging except for one area in U C Davis where they changed one street that gave us a little flashback of yesterday's keystone cops segment looking for Broadway.  Luckily, Barb and I both were quickly on the scene when most of the riders were wandering around trying to find the street that was one block from where they were.  Seems the college built a new building and a new street that dumped them into an different area than we used to be in.  It's been a long time since I've done this ride, but my senses told me we needed to be a block or so to our left.  So I told everyone to sit tight for 3 minutes while I scoped out the detour.  It didn't take long and we were back on track and on our way into Sacramento.  This makes me anxious to get to Kansas where they haven't built a new road in 50 years...maybe we won't have any changes to deal with there...we'll see.

Our route today took us through a different area today.  Gone was the bustle of heavy urban traffic as we wallered through some fertile farm land in the Sacramento Valley floor which is one of the most important agriculture centers in the US.  The terrain was dead flat after we went over a 100 foot popup about two miles from the motel.  From there the riders never had an area where they could coast very far and if they'd paid attention, they could have seen the motel 50 miles away...Team Florida loved it. 

The final miles took the riders along a bike path paralleling I-80 which dropped them pretty close to Old Downtown Sacramento where most of them spent the afternoon sightseeing and having lunch.  One of our old friends Dick Goodell who has ridden with us on several occasions, stopped by to say hi and to visit the Millers and Greg who had ridden with him in the past too.  Great to see you Dick and thanks for the Almonds! 

It was nice to get in early today...even with some of the riders spending time in U C Davis, everyone was into town by 1:00.  It allowed me to get caught up a bit and get ready for tomorrow's ride to Auburn.  It will be our first real climb...not counting yesterday...and I get to ride!  See you tomorrow.

DAILY DISCERNING DIALOGUE: "There's no challenge today like yesterday...what fun is that?"

"I didn't mind the extra miles yesterday, we DID come to ride our bikes."

"I'm not really officially retired until tomorrow, I'm still using my accumulated sick days.  Do I have to ride in the van?"

"I've already signed in for luggage load and for the next 5 SAG stops."  Over heard before departure this morning.  Bernie, that's not the way it's supposed to work!

"Mike, I'm sorry I forgot to sign in this morning, but I have a perfectly good reason...but I forgot it."  Alan after his morning transgression.

"This is my kind of terrain!!!"

"If the tube is poking out of the side of my tire, how far do you think I could ride on it?"
"All the way to the scene of the crash I guess."  "Matter of fact, you would probably be the first one there."

"Is Mike Munk on this ride?"
"Yes."
"Is he coming to dinner?"
"Yes."
"Wow!!!  I can't believe it...this is so cool!  Can't wait to see him again!"

"Who's the waitress who's beside herself to see Mike Munk?"
"I don't know...wonder if Barb knows who she is?"
"She's sitting right over there, should we ask her?"
"Not me!"
"Maybe she knew him before he met Barb."
"Naw, she's not old enough." 
"Boy, this ought to be good." 

The above conversation took place at dinner.  An ex-wife of an old training partner of mine happened to be our waitress and couldn't believe our paths had crossed again...way out here in the middle of nowhere!  Her exuberance caused quite a stir among our riders who didn't quite know how to handle the situation.  And I really enjoyed hearing the whispers...so did Barb, AFTER she realized who she was.

 

 DAILY DUH: Not sure again who should get this...me or the riders...but since this is my website and I'm the editor, I decide it's the riders.  Besides, I'll get enough.

We were right on with the mileage and everything was going smoothly and I was out in front making sure the roads were as they were supposed to be...life was good.  Suddenly, I found a road that wasn't correct on the route sheet.  I recognized the intersection as the one we used to use, but the name of the street wasn't the same as on the route sheet...mileage correct...they must have changed the name of the street.  I quickly painted directional arrows to make every one turn so they would have confidence that they were on track.  The first people through went through when I was painting the arrows so they made the turn.  But after I got everything painted and returned to the intersection, I found the "real" road we were supposed to be on about a block farther.  Previous ride leaders had changed the intersection...my bad. 

As I sat at the real intersection sort of hiding to see what everyone would do, I watched as everyone rode right over my arrows and didn't even glance at the road I had directed them to go on.  As it turned out, both directions brought them to the same place, but I did a lot of work to insure they wouldn't be confused...and they didn't even notice! 

DAILY DIGITAL DELIGHTS

I see a guy with a bright future in citrus.

Debbie's found this support duty isn't all as hard as I've led her to believe as she waves to passing riders from a roadside sofa.  Standard front yard accessories in these parts.

I'm glad I paid attention in Blacksmith Class when Lisa said she had a screw loose.  Hey, I just report what she said.

Anywhere, anytime...Mike's Road Service is on call.

Flatlander Sue from Team Ocala took respite from the strenuous 500 feet of climbing today on one of the convenient roadside love seats.  She asked if we could take it with us to use in the desert.  Sorry Sue, it's either the love seat or your luggage.

Larry was last seen riding through a wheat field singing, "I'm going against the grain."

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