First SAG stop at Jelly Belly Factory
Short day so we popped in for a visit
Reagan memorabilia front and center as you enter
Matt rechecking last dozen turns into Sacramento and into hotel
Haven't found a DQ yet but liquids are good
Message board for nightly mechanics hours, time of route rap and dinner,
when breakfast starts following morning
and when to begin riding next day (after luggage is loaded)
Monday, June 4, 2018
Day 2
Vallejo to Sacramento
67.5 miles
4 hours 21minutes
Average speed 15.2 mph
Max speed 37.8 mph
1309' elevation gain
Today we started an hour later. Nice. We were briefed last night that it would be an easier ride than yesterday. Nicer still. Winds would be mostly favorable. Just what any cyclist wants to hear.
I did get my Garmin issue resolved so that my bike computer gave visual and audible cues when we approached a turn. Big help but still kept paper cue sheet with notes I took on problem intersections.
Leaving hotel after hearty meal of scrambled eggs, toast, coffee I managed to be ready for take off after loading luggage onto truck.
Tires checked for wires, pumped to 100 psi, lights turned on and we were rolling by 8:15. Today being a Monday - start of work week - much busier traffic as we joined commuters on the road.
We started a significant climb within a few miles but completed it in good time and my legs seemed to be back even after yesterday's effort. Soon we approached an early SAG stop at the Jelly Belly factory. We took advantage of a shorter day to take time to visit. Didn't take a full tour but I did visit the gift shop and picked up some energy beans and a Jelly Belly cycling jersey - Buttered Popcorn was the flavor...
Heading out of the industrial park, we picked up some great tail winds and with Matt and John, we three made a good stretch of road go by fast. I remember looking over some huge fields of crops (not sure what they were as they were still early growth) thinking what a great day to be on a bike.
We did have many turns and stretches on and off bike paths - not my favorite but better than interstate travel so I'll take it.
We did save a couple riders who took a wrong turn due to mistake. We also found a road closed and had to detour but all adapted quickly. Can't say this was a visually exciting route either. The heat started climbing early and although the average for the day was 88, we topped off in the 90's. Dry heat they say. Hot I say. At the end of the ride, my face had white powder from evaporated perspiration.
Another flat tire in our group added some spice to the day. Lucky again that it was off the highway and didn't cause any other issues other than delay our turn into the hotel. An other rider wasn't as lucky. A mile from the hotel, his derailleur hanger snapped and sent it into his spokes. Luckily, no fall no injury. He's renting a car tomorrow to pick up a spare part being shipped to a bike shop in Auburn. He'll drive his bike to shop, have them do the install and be ready for the big climb to Truckee on Wednesday.
Power outage at hotel earlier so I'm delayed on blogging but need to focus on rest. Again, Late. Must get sleep.
later...
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