What a day. Woke up to the terrible news of wildfires raging through Napa County and Yuba City. Later in the day, we heard about the fires in Anaheim and Chico. Once again, our beautiful state is on fire. Mother Nature is truly pissed off, and I don't blame her.
I think most Dream Riders put off worrying about the wildfires for most of the day. We had a fantastic breakfast at Karen's Bakery in Old Folsom (if you haven't been there - go). Then 33 wonderful miles on the America River Parkway - my favorite place to ride in the world. We rode west all the way to Old Sacramento and then made our way east down Capitol Mall. I love seeing our gorgeous, bright, white state building. We continued further east to Midtown and had lunch at Hot Italian, a cycling-themed cool pizza joint.
After lunch (very smart to fill our bellies first), we peddled back to the Capitol grounds and meandered a bit and took photos. Then we headed west once again, crossing over the Tower Bridge (another Sacramento favorite of mine) into West Sacramento. From there we hopped onto the Causeway and landed in Davis. After showers and a change of clothes, Jett and I walked over to the downtown Davis shops, and Jett found a book she had been long looking for at a cool little bookstore. We ended up at the Bicycle Dreamer Awards dinner at the U.S. Bicycle Hall of Fame. It was finally at dinner that we learned there was no way we were heading to Calistoga on Day 2. I am dreadfully disappointed (I love love love wine country and was looking forward to riding there), but feel much worse for those who are suffering from the wildfires. They reported at dinner 10 lives and 1500 homes lost today. I have not confirmed this, but it all sounds bad. I cannot bear to think about the animals who suffered today as well.
So with that sad say said, tomorrow morning we will find out from our wonderful Dream Ride tour director, Debbie Brubaker, what our Day 2 will be. I heard that if they can find a way for us to stay in Davis one more night, we may do an out-and-back in a direction away from the fires and smoke. This is quite the adventure so far to say the least.
Here I am on the first day. Fresh and energetic. And all bundled up.
My Garmin indicated it was 47 degrees at the start.
My favorite ride guide, John Riddle.
I'd follow this man (and his hair) anywhere!
He's been the primary ride leader for the Dream Ride each of its four years.
Breakfast at Karen's Bakery. Delicious!
American River Parkway in Folsom area.
American River
The dam at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery.
Rest Stop # 1 at William Land Park.
Here I am with my rescue posse! I had lost contact with the main group and was quite delayed. (Okay, there was a Garmin directional issue at play as well...) Carol, Tom, and Jettie came to find me and pace me back to the group. It felt so good to have my good friends take care of me!
Our beautify Capitol dome.
Inside Hot Italian in Midtown.
Me and Jettie after lunch.
Back to the Capitol grounds. The rose garden smelled heavenly.
This is Harvey with the feather in his cap! He is 87 and still riding! My hero!
Here is a string of riders who have just exited the Yolo Causeway connecting West Sacramento to Davis. We have biked through this route countless time. So cool so see so many people on it at once.
And here's my crib for the night. I am exceedingly fond of seeing my bike in a hotel room.
It screams to me that I am on vacation in a new and interesting place.
Jett's book find!
Interesting exhibits at the US Bicyling Hall of Fame.
And here's Jett chatting up the boys. Her new fav, Pat, there in the cap. Crew boy Creed in the orange shirt. And Dave in blue was a total goofball tonight. He has a can of Alpine Beer's Duet in his back pocket. Oh, Dave...
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