VANCOMEX

Friday, 21 September 2012

21st September - Rest day in San Francisco

A lie in today, but an early call from Tom alerted us to an opportunity we couldn't miss - the space shuttle was due to fly across San Francisco at 9.30am and up over the Golden Gate Bridge. So off we trotted down to Fishermans Wharf to get a spot to take photos. Just like British Rail the shuttle was 45 minutes late, but it was well worth the wait - we had no idea that the shuttle was going to pass so low to sea level. It was spectacular - see the pictures below.

We had a great brunch of omlettes and 'all the trimmings' on Pier 39 and discussed our plans for the day. We wanted the day to be relaxing, but also get a feel for the city of San Francisco. Tom was keen to ride a city tour bus. We took the Downtown and Golden Gate Park tours - great views from the open top and useful commentary gave us a good feel for the city in beautiful weather - great stuff.

We felt obliged to have a quick beer on the way back to the hotel, but then reality kicked in that "rest day" also meant "laundry day", as restaurants may start refusing us entry if we don't start to freshen up the lycra!! So Tim gave Chris and Brian a quick lesson on the operation of a washing machine and spin dryer and we loaded up for a spin! At 7.00 in the evening Simon joined us at the hotel and was given 15 minutes to shave, shower and get ready to go out for an evening meal and a few beers. These are essential for the 150kms (95+ miles) ride planned for tomorrow. We were all pleased to have Maurice rejoin the tour this evening and immediately take charge of the 'kitty'. Maurice we missed you.

Kimberley, Scott's girlfriend, judged the TWIT of the day award - an unbiased view! After hearing all the evidence she nominated Tom as TWIT. The reason being, Tom slept on both the site-seeing tour buses, and after lengthy negotiations to buy fruit in China Town declined not to purchase because he had no means to peel the fruit. Other candidates palled into insignificance. After the award for today Tim made a strong bid for tomorrow's award, but all will be revealed later! Simon stayed the pace despite his 30 hour day - and feels he will soon be a contender for TWIT of the day.

Bradley (Chris) burns update

Bradley (Brian) burns update

Bradley (Tom) burns update

Bradley (Tim) burns update

Space Shuttle fly past at San Francisco

Space Shuttle flys over the Golden Gate bridge

Alcatraz - bed for the night for TWIT of the day

Seals and sea lions at Pier 39

I've got an itch

Keep off - this is my board!

Union Square - San Francisco

How much is that doggy in the window - woof woof!

City Hall - San Francisco

Victorian homes with city skyline in San Francisco

All aboard - the San Fran tram

True love found in San Francisco!

I think you need bigger heels Tim

Creating a garden park in a parking
lot as part of Park International week

A previous picture edited!

Colourful China town

20th September - Guerneville to San Francisco

Today was all about getting to San Frnacisco and having a REST DAY !!

We ended up the previous day 13 miles off route so we left early at 7.40am to get back on route as we had 85 plus miles to cycle to San Francisco.

After rejoining the SR1 we hugged the coastline to Bodega Bay and saw seals basking in the sun. Fortunately, the fog lifted early today and by 9.30 we were cycling in bright sunshine. We reached our breakfast location at Bodega Bay and enjoyed omlettes, hash browns and toast. The route then headed inland leaving Sonoma Cunty and entering Marin County. The cycling was a continual journey over short sharp hills and steep inclines and proved to be strenuous work. We were rewarded with lovely countryside views (a nice change from the coastline). We passed through Valley Ford, Tomales before reaching Point Reyes Station at 2.00pm for a short lunch stop of coffee and a sticky bun each.

After lunch with continued cycling in great countryside, the journey included a quiet bike path through Samuel P Taylor state park before entering the suburbs of San Francisco 20 miles from the Golden Gate Bridge. Chris led us on our way expertly using the route map so our journey was relativelt stress free. At Sausalito we got our first glimpse of San Francisco and after yet another long climb we reached the Golden Gate Bridge - whoop whoop. It was great to cycle across the bridge and we took out time to savour the views (see pictures below).

At the SF end of the bridge we met up with Scott on his bike and he guided us to our evening lodging in China Town. The ride today was 160kms (100 miles) and this followed a much longer journey yesterday. After freshening up we went out for a lovely Thai meal and talked about plans for the rest of our stay in SF. We are having a great time on our bikes, but all of us agree that after 15 consecutive days of cycling, a rest day is welcome! We have now cycled nearly 2000kms (1250 miles). We've agreed to meet for breakfast at 9am - wow - a well deserved now that's a lie in!

Thanks again for your interest in our blog - we have now had over 4000 page reviews so we feel that it's worth the production effort and people are enjoying taking a look.

Chris was awarded TWIT of the day - he thought he was in London and did not not to stop at 4-Way stop signs!!! A driver had to slam on his brakes and shouted - we stop in Fairfax!

Views along the coastline we followed
to Bodega Bay

Seals sunbathing near Bodega Bay

Meet David - who owns Candy and Kites
at Bodega Bay

Which way is South?

Bike path through the
Samuel P Taylor State Park

Our first glimpse of San Fransisco after a
long climb out of Sausalito

At the gateway to San Fransisco
- the Golden Gate Bridge

View of San Francisco from the Golden Gate Bridge

Vancomex team cross the Golden Gate Bridge

Alcatraz - the lodging for TWIT of the day

Golden Gate Bridge - San Francisco

View of the Golden Gate Bridge near sunset

Wednesday, 19 September 2012

19th September - Fort Bragg to Guerneville

We left Fort Bragg at about 8.15am - the plan was a relatively short 115km ride to Stewarts Point. Little did we know how the day would unfold. We followed Highway 1 for most of the day apart from an alternative scenic route around the coast and through the quaint town of Mendocino. Sensible cycling pace so we could amire the views.

We had coffee at the tiny town of Elk in a general stores. The coffee was strong and the cakes very tasty. We returned to Highway 1 and met up with Scott, our driver, who had some good and bad news for us. Our hotel was not in Stewarts Point (we were referring to out of date information about hotel bookings) but much further on in Guerneville. Good news is that Scott thought location and lodgings were 'cool', bad news was that they were another 70kms further South and 20kms off course!! The plan was further complicated in that Maurice was required to sign important business contracts in San Diego and therefore needed to be in San Francisco to get a flight by 8pm. So we now had a much longer ride for the day and had to really push hard to get 'Maurice to the church on time'!! A plan was hatched for Scott to take all our luggage to the hotel, come back and pick up Maurice from the ride and drive him to San Francisco airport. And that was exactly what happened - so Vancomex is a rider down for the ride tomorrow with Maurice hopefully rejoining us in San Francisco.

Despite the long ride we were again rewarded with excellent weather, fantastic North California coastline and great road surfaces. We worked well together, the the kms passed by quickly. As we approached our lodging for the night several Vancomex tour records tumbled - for example: we reached our highest total climbing of 7,000ft for one day; the biggest calorie burn of 2,697; longest daily ride of 182 kms (114 miles); steepest slope at 16%, and fastest speed of 45mph. When we reached our lodgings (Cottages on the River) in Guerneville we had 1 more record for the tour - total ride time for a single day of 9hrs 8mins. We deserved our beer tonight !!

Tomorrow we have another 160km day planned - ouch! The good news is that we reach San Francisco and a REST DAY - hurrah!! We then meet up with another rider, Simon from the UK, who will be riding with us to the Mexican border. We are all looking forward to meeting up with him.

A few pictures below - balance from yesterday plus a selection from today.

Meet Jim and Jill travelling from Vancouver

to San Francisco as part of a small group like ours

Keep pumping those legs Tom

Climbing a hill and still puff to talk – fit boys!

Don’t throw the bikes over the cliff – there's

still a long way to go

The coastal route we followed for 30k – magnificent cycling in great weather

The coastal route we followed for 30k –

magnificent cycling in great weather

The coastal route we followed for 30k – magnificent cycling in great weather

Lunch stop – don’t be fooled by appearances – the Pizzas we had were great

Was it the cycling, was it lunch, was

it the weather – all three!

Worryingly, this was before any beer

Good peleton boys

Surelt those buns are not all for you Maurice

View from a loo in Elk where we had coffee

Brain waving to the crowds that had lined
our route

I'd hate to see Tim angry!

Guys we have a problem - you have to ride
another 70kms today !!

We saw these consistently along our route
today but have no idea what flower they
are. Can anyone help?

Have you got everything on the
shopping list Tim?

Posing at the top of a long climb - superb views

Views at the top of one of our climbs before
Jenner

Views at the top of one of our climbs before Jenner

Seals near Jenner

Tuesday, 18 September 2012

18th September – Garberville to Fort Bragg

An 8am start after a good breakfast that included omelette and waffles with lashes of maple syrup. We were all a bit apprehensive about the proposed ride to 2000ft up Leggett Hill. It was great to have Tim back for a full-day ride – properly back amongst Team Vancomex..

After starting out on US101 we made a couple of turnoffs to follow more scenic routes along the Eel River before returning to US101. Again we saw eagles soaring above us. We’ve either been on the US101 or close to it for 1600kms so it was a significant moment in the tour when we left it for the last time to join SR1 (see picture). Soon after joining SR1 we were treated to an 1100ft climb to an altitude of 2000ft. This took about 45 minutes to complete – and was both the highest point of the whole ride from Vancouver and the longest non-stop climb. (No Kay and Karen – it is not permitted to stop half way up!!) At the top of the climb we were out into the sun and joined Scott who had got us coffee and bagels – this was the first time we used the chairs provided by Maurice. (SEE PICTURES) We met up with David, Jim and Jill who were cycling from Vancouver, Canada to San Francisco – it’s really nice to exchange tour stories with other cyclists along the route.

After our stop we had a fast 10km decent making our Bradley sideburns blow in the wind – probably as close as we will ever get to cycle the Alps section of the Tour De France. The descent was truly exhilarating. We then climbed an even steeper hill but thankfully only 800 feet of ascent. After the hill climbs and descents we reached the coast and hugged it for the next 30kms – the weather making it a real treat to cycle this section with plenty of stops for photos. We had a super lunch at Westport – first taste of Pizzas on the tour so far and their toppings were superb.

We finished the day’s ride along a 3 mile beach cycle path – a perfect way to end the day. At 5.15 we cycled into our lodgings at Fort Bragg, all agreeing that this was one of the best days so far. 110kms under our belt today – time for an IPA beer or two. Another key milestone today was that we passed through 1000 miles for the tour, making us feel pretty good.

Tom was a clear winner for TWIT of the day. A combination of several incidents, but the best was his version of Ministry of Silly Pedalling. We could not stop laughing for several kms.

PS Sorry for lack of photos - slow connection speed - will catch up tomorrow