I have a few more roads to add to my FAVORITE's list after today!!!!
Yesterday's Team-in-Training ride (April 23, 2011) had me traversing roads that I have never ridden before. There are so many good riding roads in Marin that I usually just start my ride from home and not drive to a start location. By not driving, I save gas, but it limits my northward riding distance to Tomales and back, which is 120 miles round trip. Today I drove to the Cheese Factory and then started riding with TNT. This allowed me to venture further north on roads not previously traveled.
Leaving the Cheese Factory shortly after 8 am, we traveled familiar roads: Hicks Valley, Wilson Hill (the short but STEEP direction) and Chileno Valley Road to Tomales. This early in the morning there were no headwinds to speak of and the pace-lining got us through pretty quick. After a very brief stop in Tomales, I took off with a smaller group so that I could go at my own pace and not feel as if I had to 'keep' up. Not that I couldn't keep up, but if I was not having a good day I didn't want the added stress of not being able to keep the pace. Besides, I like to stop and take pictures and let the surroundings settle in. Often the views are more breathtaking then the riding and the smells can be just as breathtaking. I'm talking the eucalyptus trees and not the manure.
After the stop in Tomales, we headed north on Dillon Beach road. My friend Joseph, has always wanted to get me to ride this road to Dillon Beach and now I can see why. Some nice rollers with green hills and sheep galore.
From Valley Ford we headed Northwest on Highway One towards Bodega and my new favorite road, Bay Hill Road. Such a narrow, eucalyptus lined, almost path. I loved it!!
I am extremely thankful that our small group caught up with a few riders ahead of us. I was following Lisa G and another just outside of Bodega where we made a right onto Coleman Valley Road. I surely would have missed this road had I not been following. Similar to Bay Hill, it is a narrow winding road that is unmarked and could be easily missed. However that is the only thing that could be easily missed. Coleman Valley was our main climb of the day, and a climb it is. I figure there is a good mile, mile and a half, of 12%+ grade and numerous cattle grates too.
The descent into Occidental was nice, again not for the speeds or bumpy road, but more because it was wooded and narrow. Joy road was a joy.
The last leg of the day brought us back near Tomales, where we took Fallon-Two Rock Road to Alexander to Tomales-Petaluma Road back to Chileno Valley Road. On Chileno we slowed the pace a bit as we were getting tired and wanted to save a little something for the last climb of the day, Wilson Hill before getting back to the Cheese Factory.
All-in-all it was an awesome training ride. Once again tired and sore after 85 miles and 7500 feet, but not cramped nor dehydrated. Plus I now have a few more favorite roads to add to my list!!
Yesterday's Team-in-Training ride (April 23, 2011) had me traversing roads that I have never ridden before. There are so many good riding roads in Marin that I usually just start my ride from home and not drive to a start location. By not driving, I save gas, but it limits my northward riding distance to Tomales and back, which is 120 miles round trip. Today I drove to the Cheese Factory and then started riding with TNT. This allowed me to venture further north on roads not previously traveled.
Bay Hill Road, just outside of Bodega is phenomenal!
Leaving the Cheese Factory shortly after 8 am, we traveled familiar roads: Hicks Valley, Wilson Hill (the short but STEEP direction) and Chileno Valley Road to Tomales. This early in the morning there were no headwinds to speak of and the pace-lining got us through pretty quick. After a very brief stop in Tomales, I took off with a smaller group so that I could go at my own pace and not feel as if I had to 'keep' up. Not that I couldn't keep up, but if I was not having a good day I didn't want the added stress of not being able to keep the pace. Besides, I like to stop and take pictures and let the surroundings settle in. Often the views are more breathtaking then the riding and the smells can be just as breathtaking. I'm talking the eucalyptus trees and not the manure.
On Dillon Beach Road, can you spot the black sheep of the family?
After the stop in Tomales, we headed north on Dillon Beach road. My friend Joseph, has always wanted to get me to ride this road to Dillon Beach and now I can see why. Some nice rollers with green hills and sheep galore.
View from Vally Ford Franklin School Road towards Tomales Bay
From Valley Ford we headed Northwest on Highway One towards Bodega and my new favorite road, Bay Hill Road. Such a narrow, eucalyptus lined, almost path. I loved it!!
Catching up with TNT group 2 riders on Bay Hill Road
I am extremely thankful that our small group caught up with a few riders ahead of us. I was following Lisa G and another just outside of Bodega where we made a right onto Coleman Valley Road. I surely would have missed this road had I not been following. Similar to Bay Hill, it is a narrow winding road that is unmarked and could be easily missed. However that is the only thing that could be easily missed. Coleman Valley was our main climb of the day, and a climb it is. I figure there is a good mile, mile and a half, of 12%+ grade and numerous cattle grates too.
The view from Ocean Song, the top of Coleman Valley Road
The descent into Occidental was nice, again not for the speeds or bumpy road, but more because it was wooded and narrow. Joy road was a joy.
SAG support at last rest stop at mile 62 on Whitaker Bluff
The last leg of the day brought us back near Tomales, where we took Fallon-Two Rock Road to Alexander to Tomales-Petaluma Road back to Chileno Valley Road. On Chileno we slowed the pace a bit as we were getting tired and wanted to save a little something for the last climb of the day, Wilson Hill before getting back to the Cheese Factory.
Kyle cresting Wilson's with John G in background
John G and Jerry after Wilson Hill and mile 80-ish
All-in-all it was an awesome training ride. Once again tired and sore after 85 miles and 7500 feet, but not cramped nor dehydrated. Plus I now have a few more favorite roads to add to my list!!
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