March Fools' Tour

Back home from a wonderful, four-plus days of bicycling through Yolo, Solano, Napa, Sonoma and Marin counties, with a brief stay in the city and county of San Francisco last night and this morning before heading home via ferry and Amtrak. The riding was tough, particularly the first two days as we fought a vicious north wind—imagine climbing a steep and endless hill, mile after mile after mile, and you'll have a vague inkling—but by Day 3 we had a tailwind as we rode southwest from Cloverdale toward Bodega Bay, and the climbing along the coast from Bodega to SF was made a lot easier by that same wind. All told, I rode 268 miles; not bad, if I do say so, myself.

It was a terrific trip, with great accommodations, excellent food, congenial companions and outstanding scenery. The wildflowers were at their peak, and now that I have some distance between me and those horrific windy days, all I really recall is how beautiful the route was. Riding amesia: Like giving birth, once it's over, the pain is forgotten as you contemplate the incredibly wonderful outcome. Lifted my spirits immeasurably.

Lupine, Suisun Valley Road, Solano County

March 30, 2009