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DAY 11
Half Way!

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ROUTE: Ft Bragg to Cloverdale CA DISTANCE: 75 Miles WINDS: SSE 5-10
WEATHER: Cool and overcast again, warmer as we went inland TERRAIN: Rolling with 2 significant climbs TOTAL CLIMBING:

DAILY REPORT:  We've been in a dreary weather pattern for a week now.  Just misty type air with overcast and no sun.  We had good visibility today but it was still a gray day.  The temperature was comfortable all day, however, and with the overcast, we didn't have the temperature variations we have had in the past on this day.  Last year when we entered the redwoods, the temperature dropped 20 degrees easy and then went to the 70s when we got out.  Today, it was mid 50s when we entered the redwoods and I didn't really feel any difference.  It warmed up nicely as we neared our destination and was downright perfect if you ask me.

Barb has been feeling poorly for the past couple of days and standing in the cool temperatures for the last couple days finally got to her I think.  We gave her the day off today as she rested in my van all day while Karen and I manned the vans.  Hopefully, she'll be back up to speed by tomorrow...heck, who's going to keep things going if she's not feeling well?  She's 1/3 of our support team and handles all the logistics...LOGISTICS...I didn't even do that career field in the military...for good reason.

To say we had a diverse day would be an understatement...the 4 photos in the text will support that statement.  It was hard to believe we were riding in the same day or even the same planet all day as we made our way through urban areas, breathtaking seaside cliffs, old growth redwood forests, and rolling brown hills that were the backdrop for scores of vineyards. 

Our morning started with a hearty breakfast near the motel.  Most of the riders were on the road by 7:45 and making their way along the coastline through the misty morning.  Our first 20 miles bounced up and down and in and out of visual contact with the ocean.  Then we turned inland on hwy 128...and anytime you do inland around here it means slope.  At first we were riding along the water with the jagged rocks protruding out of the foaming surf, then we found ourselves in another redwood forest for about 10 miles.  Our first SAG was in the forest...the antithesis  of our SAG yesterday along the shoreline.  It was a beautiful spot in the redwoods where we celebrated our halfway point.

As I stated before, our contrasts were not over as we exited the redwoods and then entered the California wine country.  Here we saw large vineyards dotting the landscape all nestled on the hillsides.  At one vineyard, I saw them loading freshly picked grapes...this time of year is called the "crush" for obvious reasons even to this corn farm boy.  I just wanted to take off my shoes and stomp right in...don't think they would have appreciated that, but it did cross my mind.  We weren't through with rollers either, and the brisk headwinds made the day even tougher than planned.

Even with all that, we still weren't through with contrasts by a long shot.  It wasn't long before we started shedding clothing as we peaked over the range.  The temperatures went up drastically after the second SAG and it began to look more like the California I remember when I was stationed in Sacramento.  Large golden hills with green live oaks to contrast the landscape.  This part of California is much dryer too...one match here and you'll burn up the entire state.

The final push into town required us to climb one final time before an invigorating, technical descent into Cloverdale.  I guess the simple word climb may not be quite strong enough to describe the ascent.  It probably was the toughest climb we've had to date with pitches of 15% in places and probably averaging in the neighborhood of 10% for a couple miles.  The only climb I can remember that may be tougher would be the climb over Teton Pass on our North Ride.  But hey, these folks are tough and welcome the challenge.  The scenery was hard to take in due to the nature of the switchbacks on the descent...the eyes had to focus on the line to the bottom.  Congrats to everyone...they all made it up and down safely and we're ready to ride again tomorrow...bring on the climbs...no sweat.

Tomorrow we head to Petaluma...I'm scheduled to be in the van but I'm going to try to get Karen to let me ride a portion of the day since I couldn't ride today on MY ride day...hate that everyone else is having all the climbing fun.  See you then.
HEARD DURING THE DAY:

"The stock market is down, but the ride is up!"

"Why do you eat peanut butter everyday?"
"Well, don't you know that peanut butter holds your insides together."

"This is a 'lost proof' day...even for Tom."

"My navigation is getting much better, I didn't miss one single turn today."
"There wasn't any turns today."
"I told you I didn't miss any turns."

"Mike, can you carry these dried apples and pears in the van for me."
"Why, certainly, but I may nibble on a few."
"Oh that's fine...you can nibble on the apples, but don't nibble on the pears.  They are for me mum...and you don't want to mess with me mum's pears."
"I probably live far enough from your mum that I probably wouldn't worry."
"Oh, you don't know me mum."

"That last hill killed my granny gear...I buried her about half way up."

"Barbara, you deserve a day off to get better."
"Yeah, I guess sleeping with the boss does have its benefits."
 

 HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY!

We have Flamingos on bikes, why not Pink Flamingos in a manger?  It was a Team Flamingo Celebration when they found these pink ones along our route.  They even rode back a half mile when I told them they had missed the display.  Some farmer made our boys extremely happy...but it doesn't take much we've come to realize.

SCENES OF THE DAY

Hmmm, I feel something is amiss.

I said SAY CHEESE darn it.

My stocks did WHAT???!!!

Good thing bikes come in different sizes.

You never can be too careful.  Especially since we haven't seen the sun in a few days.  I think Boaz used plenty of sun screen for today...and tomorrow...and the next day.  Either that or he really enjoyed the cream filled donuts for breakfast.

Craig is a Equine Vet by trade and I understand he's a right good one too.  Now I don't know horses much, I was a dairy farm boy, but I'm thinking when an owner calls me about his animal's runny nose, I'd be working on the other end.

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