The Saga Continues
The Alexander Valley/Russian River part of the Wine
Country Century has been a ride I've been wanting to do now for over a year. TL
was obliging, and we decided to head north up to the Town of Windsor to start
the ride. We had a bit of a problem with the ride sheet that TL had from the
Santa Rosa Bike club however as many of the roads had changed names since they
printed the directions up.....so.....we started the ride in the State of
Confusion.....not really where we wanted to be. After riding in circles a few
times looking for non existant streets, we resorted to a cagey technique that
works every time.....flag down a local biker. Finally getting some
understandable directions we headed north up to the town of Healdsburg. Crossing
the Russian River heading into town.......
A pretty park in downtown Healdsburg......
Leaving Healdsburg, we once again crossed the river to find a gaggle of canoeists leaving on a downriver float trip.
Stopping at Jimtown for lunch, and conferring with a few more local bicyclists, we strategically planned the rest of our trip over a bit of food and drink. This is the entire town of Jimtown.......
A popular destination for bicyclists, Jimtown also had a nice little Deli and Bakery. In asking about the road ahead, I asked one cyclist about the Chalk Valley Road, He laughed and said "you're not going to think it much of a valley....it's called the Chalk HILL road for a good reason". Hill.....Hill......Oh Me, another one!
Alexander Valley is the heart of wine country, and there are many vinyards along the way.
Along the way, I found this horse who was not only photogenic, but a camera and publicity hog as well....I obliged him and told him I would give him a national audience, so he posed nicely for me.
A little further down the road was this old Johnnie-Popper and disc.
After climbing up a little hill and thinking....well, that wasn't so bad, I caught this tandem coming up the other side.
A short plung down the other side, and another ride up a pleasant valley for a couple miles, we came to the REAL hill.....The biggy.....this is IT.....Hill.....Oh, Me.. Legs still tired from yesterday, still a bit sore.....but it's the shortest way back now. Here goes.....stop....take a picture of TL at the bottom
....there, that procrastinated long enough ......if I don't get going, she'll be back in Windsor by the time I reach the top......struggle....struggle...puff.... puff....pant, pant.....finally what seemed an eternity, the top was achieved.....TL was waiting to cheer me up and over. Another brisk downhill for a couple miles, and an easy ride back to Windsor.
Windsor is a cute little town that has been made over to appear like a little Dutch, or German community........
A nicely restored old Railroad depot now serves as a Rapid Transit station.
A cup of Espresso in the Old Town while we enjoyed the tour of the unique little town, and we were on our way back. This ride wasn't a long one, 28 miles with our going in circles and all at the beginning, but satisfying, certainly with the one big hill in the middle. Great company, a good ride, and a wonderful cup of Joe at the end..... what more could anyone want?
A pretty park in downtown Healdsburg......
Leaving Healdsburg, we once again crossed the river to find a gaggle of canoeists leaving on a downriver float trip.
Stopping at Jimtown for lunch, and conferring with a few more local bicyclists, we strategically planned the rest of our trip over a bit of food and drink. This is the entire town of Jimtown.......
A popular destination for bicyclists, Jimtown also had a nice little Deli and Bakery. In asking about the road ahead, I asked one cyclist about the Chalk Valley Road, He laughed and said "you're not going to think it much of a valley....it's called the Chalk HILL road for a good reason". Hill.....Hill......Oh Me, another one!
Alexander Valley is the heart of wine country, and there are many vinyards along the way.
Along the way, I found this horse who was not only photogenic, but a camera and publicity hog as well....I obliged him and told him I would give him a national audience, so he posed nicely for me.
A little further down the road was this old Johnnie-Popper and disc.
After climbing up a little hill and thinking....well, that wasn't so bad, I caught this tandem coming up the other side.
A short plung down the other side, and another ride up a pleasant valley for a couple miles, we came to the REAL hill.....The biggy.....this is IT.....Hill.....Oh, Me.. Legs still tired from yesterday, still a bit sore.....but it's the shortest way back now. Here goes.....stop....take a picture of TL at the bottom
....there, that procrastinated long enough ......if I don't get going, she'll be back in Windsor by the time I reach the top......struggle....struggle...puff.... puff....pant, pant.....finally what seemed an eternity, the top was achieved.....TL was waiting to cheer me up and over. Another brisk downhill for a couple miles, and an easy ride back to Windsor.
Windsor is a cute little town that has been made over to appear like a little Dutch, or German community........
A nicely restored old Railroad depot now serves as a Rapid Transit station.
A cup of Espresso in the Old Town while we enjoyed the tour of the unique little town, and we were on our way back. This ride wasn't a long one, 28 miles with our going in circles and all at the beginning, but satisfying, certainly with the one big hill in the middle. Great company, a good ride, and a wonderful cup of Joe at the end..... what more could anyone want?
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