Ready to roll.

Peggy, Heather, Theresa, and Cora.

The BikeMaster pose at Parrots Ferry Bridge.

We were a very large group starting out together today, maybe 20 total. Once down the hill we all stopped for photos at the Parrots Ferry Bridge over the New Melones Reservoir. Then, on the long uphill, I was talking with Rosa and Jolyce, and was able to get Jolyce to accept a tow from my bungee cord. We only did that first climb, but it was fun.

There was a nice long regroup at a coffee shop in Murphys and then we were off again. In the middle of a long downhill, I caught up to Cora, who was stopped and turning around. I asked what's up, but she was just getting a water bottle that Rosa had lost on the downhill.

Soon after, we stopped to help with a flat tire, then it was on into Angels Camp. We would only stay on Hwy 49 for a few blocks before turning on Dogtown Rd. There were 2 riders just in front of me, and we came up to a red light and they rode right through while I stopped. One block later was our turn, and I saw these 2 riders just keep going straight, missing the turn. Too bad, I said, must be bad karma. We just let them continue on.

As soon as we made the turn onto Dogtown Rd, we heard alot of sirens approaching, and a firetruck and ambulence passed us by, heading up the Dogtown Rd. That didn't look good. A few miles further on and our worst fears were realized. We had a rider down. It was Rosa. It seems that while her group was getting single file to let a car pass, Rosa either hit a pothole, bumped a wheel, or otherwise somehow lost control and crashed. Rosa scraped her face up and might have broken a cheek bone and someplace in her arm. That would be the end of the Tour for Rosa. Poor Rosa.

Rosa lay on the road while the paramedics checked her over. Good friends Fletch Dobbs and Andy Chang stood over her holding a windbreaker to keep the sun off of Rosa. We stayed at the crash site until they had Rosa ready to be taken away, then we continued on. People seemed to be a bit more cautious in their riding now, which was a good thing as Dogtown Road is very bumpy. Cora noticed that the road was paved with serpentine, the green stones that are in abundance in the gold country.

Cora & Heather.

Classic car with matching trailer.

Next up was the first SAG stop, where we all hung out for awhile, then we continued on into San Andreas, where we all stopped off at the hospital to see how Rosa was doing. We didn't go inside, but were met by Jolyce and Fletch outside, who said that Rosa was being taken in for a CTscan. Rosa would be in good hands so we continued on.

At the 2nd reststop, Nancy gave me a note from Peggy, Lisa, and Phil. It was directions to a new water stop. This was perfect. I had been thinking seriously of just taking Cora in on the short route, thereby missing the Gwin Mine Road swimming option. But this new spot was right on the short route. We were to just stay on Hwy 49, and at the bottom of the hill we should take a little side road going up river. We followed this road for what seemed like forever, but after about 2 miles we met our whole group at the water.

Theresa and Peggy watching Donny's mud bath.

The mud bath.

The river here was cold and the current was fast, but it did feel good to get in, as it was pretty hot out. After awhile in the water I sat on the shore and decided to play in the mud. The others in our group thought that I was crazy, but it was fun. Cora then decided to join me, and together we got ourselves all covered in a nice layer of mud. Peggy was certain that this proved that Cora was my ultimate riding buddy. Then we laid out and let the mud dry. I could feel it tighten up on my skin. Finally, we would jump back in the river and wash it off.

Jim and Cora, with their bikes.

After awhile, the others all decided to get going, so they left me, Jim from San Antonio Texas, and Cora down by the river. Jim had a retro bike, just like Cora's, so they both had a good time discussing their bike components.

Finally it was time to tackle that last long climb up out of the river and into Jackson. At the St.Sava Mission we found we were a bit too late for the pool, but at least we got in our swimming option down at the river. After setting up tents and showering, I set out my table cloth and half-finished puzzle, and just worked on that until the dinner line had gone down.

After dinner, we got a group together and I led them for the 5-bell tour. It was mostly all new people for the tour so none of them had been to the 5 bells before. We found and rang them all. At the end of the walk we stopped at a store, and Jannene from Tucson Arizona shared a big bottle of Sierra Nevada pale ale with me. This was Jannene's first STTS and only her 2nd tour ever, so I was going to try to make it Jannene's best tour ever also. Cora and I were able to talk Jannene into joining us the next day.

Go to the next day.