The two day ride total was 10 hours, 26 min, total miles was 167.6 and average ride time was about 16 mph. Not too bad considering that there was a lot of climbing (and the descending doesn't make up for all the climbing).
We ended up getting kind of a late start on Friday. Guess I should have packed our bags on Thursday night. By the time we dropped the kids at the grandparents for the night and puttered around getting ready we didn't hit the road until about 10:30. But we figured that's ok, no rush, we just had to be there before our 5 o'clock massage. We started out on our familiar weekend route then continued past Lake Berryessa to the 30 mile point (well, with one unplanned bathroom stop). We had also learned during our last long ride that we should be eating more along the way, so we were prepared with some PB&Js, gu and granola bars.
At what should have been the 1/2 point of the day - Lake Hennessy. The packs added about 15 extra pounds to the bike. I really need to learn to be a more efficient packer.
My attempted self portrait (I actually tried a lot of these, but this was about the best one....)
Originally we thought we could get a nice lunch in Calistoga at around 60 miles but we realized we didn't have enough time. Although we were averaging pretty good speed, we hadn't really figured in time for off-bike breaks and we had a deadline (the 5pm massage). Oh, and we didn't figure in the headwind which seemed to be constant on Silverado trail. Just some more snacks and we were out of Calistoga. We knew that around mile 62 there would be a major climb - hardest of the day. Unfortunately I got a little mixed up in my directions and we took a wrong turn and added about 6 extra miles. At least we realized before we went too much further. What did people do before smartphones? So we got back on track and get to the climb. It was hard, especially after riding about 68 miles to get to it. According to J's new Garmin, it was about a 10% grade for about 2 miles. We were granny-gear grinding up it at about 3.5 mph. Of course, a
hill mountain like that does also include going down, but there is a limit to how fast you really want to go down on a curvy road with 350 pounds of bike, packs and riders. Plus this road had a lot of traffic (including many big trucks) and some pretty hairy looking drop offs by the non-existent shoulder. We finally got into Windsor (although seems like we didn't go through the nicest part of town) and arrived at the hotel about 4:40. Barely enough time to get a quick shower (I'm sure the massage therapists did not want to massage our sweaty selves) and get to our massage.
(Day 1: 5:17, 85.1 miles, 16.1 mph avg)
As luck would have it, J's massage therapist was a triathlete and was able to give us another recommended route for our return trip. After the relaxing (and hopefully recovery inducing) massages, we went to dinner. Since we barely had time to stuff a granola bar in our mouths between getting to the hotel and getting to the massage appointment on time, we were starving. Ended up just going across the street to a casual restaurant (Johnny Garlics, supposedly some food TV guy's place). I am sure there are much nicer places to go in the area, but since we didn't have a car, this was just as easy (and quick). We devoured the bread and olive oil they brought to the table. Had a nice coconut shrimp appy, salads and some chicken/pasta main dishes. Since it was my birthday, I
saved made room for dessert - chocolate lava cake. We both felt pretty stuffed after that.
We figured we would get an earlier start Saturday morning. I don't know why we thought that. I wouldn't say that we slept in, but we weren't leaping out of bed at the crack of dawn either. At least parts of me were not overly enthusiastic to get back on the bike, but how else would we get home? After getting breakfast and a few provisions for the ride (more PB&Js, bananas) we were on the road, at 9:30.
It was a little cool and misting a little at the start. Nothing arm warmers couldn't take care of. From what we could tell on the map, the route recommended to us might be a few miles longer, but we hoped would avoid the worst of the climb from the prior day.
The new route was much better - less traffic and better scenery. It was about 3 miles longer, but that was a welcome trade off to climbing a 10% grade again. Ok, J says it wouldn't be a 10% grade, but whatever, this way was better - I don't think he could disagree with that. Back to Calistoga and still we didn't stop for a meal, but did pick up some more gu at the local bike shop and got some coffee. We were hopefull that yesterday's headwind would be a tailwind today. But not really. Our legs were feeling ok, but we were using the granny a lot more for climbs (when our bike would cooperate and shift into it). The climbs seemed to really sap our speed, but still it seemed we were moving along at a good pace. I had expected our overall average to be lower since it was our second day riding. It ended up that our faster sections from yesterday were generally our slower sections today with the overall average being nearly dead on. The worst of course is your butt - mine was not really prepared for two days in the saddle. I needed a lot more little breaks (standing on the bike or even a few times getting off for just a few minutes). The sun did start peaking through (but check out the flag - not a tailwind....)
We got to our stop at Corners - thankfully a new little convenience store has opened there again after being closed for a few years. Some nice cold gatorade hit the spot. Although we don't ride this stretch of road often, it is somewhat familiar. It still has some climbs, but there is also a lot of downhill on this section.
By then end, it was long, it was hard and I was glad when we arrived home. Even more glad when I didn't have to sit on my bike seat anymore.
(Day 2: 5:09, 82.5 miles, 16.0 mph avg)
As hard as it was, I didn't feel like I did at the end of
this ride . While my legs are sore (and hoping my new birthday present - aka recovery tights will limit the soreness), I never felt like I couldn't go on (and J would have looked funny riding the tandem with me walking alongside...). All in all, it was a good ride, and while J thinks I need to smile more while I am riding, I did enjoy it and have a certain satisfaction knowing that I spent my 40th birthday doing something that I probably wouldn't have even attempted at 20. Not the traditional birthday celebration (that will be next weekend when I have a party for myself...), but a good way to mark the new year.
