Day From          Distance Speed  Leave Arrive R.Time T.Time Factor
                    miles  mph    h:mm  h:mm   hours  hours    %
17  San Jose        76.6   10.4   7:15  4:30   7.37   9.25    80.
18  Patterson       86.5   13.2   7:58  5:08   6.57   9.17    72.
19  Columbia        53.9   11.0   8:34  4:38   4.90   8.07    61.
20  Jackson         63.0   12.4   8:08  5:59   5.08   9.85    52.
21  Folsom          92.9   15.0   8:24  5:34   6.19   9.17    68.
22  Lake Solano     67.8   11.4   7:49  5:24   5.95   9.58    62.
23  Harbin H.S.     59.5   11.8  10:35  5:44   5.04   7.15    71.
24  Duncan Mills    50.0   14.0   8:02  3:45   3.57   7.72    46.
25  Olema          101.8   12.1   7:15  7:28   8.38  12.22    69.
    San Jose                                                     
    Totals         652.0   12.28              53.08  82.17    65.

This would be my 11th Sierra to the Sea Tour. Again, I was all set to have a great tour, maybe my best ever. Most of the regulars would be returning. I would have the company of Peggy Zagelow, Kim Carr, Theresa Sickmiller, Robin Ross, Toni Rango, and Patti Hartinian. Like last year, I would be spending most of my time with Cora Haselbeck, with the addition this year of Cora's best friend April Manns. With all of these people along, how could I help but have a great tour. My biggest problem would be in finding the time to spend with each and every one of them.

Being that this would be April's first tour, I wanted to make sure that she had a good time and was able to do all of the miles without too much worry or trouble. If April had her best tour, then that would help Cora to again have a great tour. And with them both having a great tour, that meant that my tour would also be great. That was my plan.

Friday June 17 - San Jose to Patterson

I was up early and went over to Kim's house to join Kim, Cora, and April for breakfast. We then went over to the ride start, where they got coffee while I went to look for the others. After a short wait we got started. Only 9 more days to go.

The weather forecast mentioned possible showers for today, but I wasn't even going to give this any thought, as I planned to ride, rain or shine. Besides, it was June, and it never rains in June. The sky was cloudy but the roads were dry, so we were ok. By the time we got over to Alum Rock Road, a small dark cloud had caught up with us and it started to rain. Most of us just stopped under a tree and waited. 10 minutes later, the rain stopped and we were on our way again.

Once on the hill, I hooked April up with my 5 ft bungee cord. My plan was to give April an assist whenever she needed it for this next week. This worked good, and we were able to keep up with most of the others.

At Grants Ranch - Kim, Heather, Jeff, Fran, Cora, April

At Grants Ranch - Marvin, Donny, April, Heather, Jeff, Fran, Cora

A bit over 3 hours of climbing and we were all at the top of Mt.Hamilton. No rain except for that one 10-minute stretch, and it looked like clearing skies for the rest of the day. The rainy weather passing through kept it from getting too hot, so the temperature was just about right.

At the Junction we met up with all of the faster riders from our group, as well as Ken Goldman and John Dickens, who rode over from Livermore and were going to join us for the ride to Columbia. I had my usual Jerry's burger and fries.

Today would be April's longest ride ever, so I was happy to see that she was holding up just fine. If she would of climbed all of the hills on her own, then she would be dead tired by now, but April had enough energy left to enjoy the Del Puerto Canyon downhill all of the way to Patterson.

At the Villa Lago Inn in Patterson, we met up with Patti, who had ridden alone from Folsom today, a total of 95 miles. While we were checking into our rooms, we found out that the hotpool had broken a pipe and so was closed. And we had been looking forward to some quality time in the pool. Bummer.

I was treated to dinner by April and Cora, as thanks for helping them along and arranging for this ride. I like April and Cora.

Saturday June 18 - Patterson to Columbia

Cora and Holly, in Ripon

At about 30 miles we stopped for snacks in Ripon. I had broken a spoke a few miles earlier, so I spent my break time by replacing my spoke. I had a spare spoke, but it turned out to be too long, but Leo happened to have a spare spock just the right length. I was soon fixed and ready to go.

At about 50 miles we arrived at the market where our route crosses busy Hwy 120/108. It was here that we met the small truck, driven by Harold LeGore with passenger Kim. Kim's plan was to start riding from here, so that was a good plan. This was also a chance for people to get a lift, and both Leo and April figured that they had enough riding for the day.

Donny and Cora - swimming at Knights Ferry

An hour later we arrived in Knights Ferry, where we had our lunch. The small truck joined us there, so we were one big party. Cora joined me for a quick dip in the river but it was too cold for any of the others. We didn't stay in too long.

After Knights Ferry the climbing started. Good that it was still a few degrees cooler because of yesterday's storm passing through. Cora and I stopped at both Yosemite Junction and at Jamestown, so we were able to get to Columbia and still be relatively fresh.

In Columbia, April already had their tent up, and so I put mine up next door. It was a bit crowded in the neighborhood, but we managed ok.

One new thing that I found out about this year was the group campfire up behind the showers. Kim and I went up there in the evening and listened to a woman that was playing folk songs and singing along. She was pretty good.

Cora

April

Tony the Tiger, riding on Cora's bike

Working on the jigsaw puzzle, in Columbia

Sunday June 19 - Columbia to Jackson

April and Patti, in Columbia

Peggy, April, Jim, Theresa, Patti, Cora - ready to start riding from Columbia.

Kim

The toilet in the men's restroom wasn't working, so our first stop of the day was about 500 yards down the road in historic Columbia, where we also took a few pictures. Then we were off, down the long downhill to Parrotts Ferry bridge for our traditional photo op. I stopped and took a few pictures from far away and so missed the group picture. But Theresa did get me balancing atop my bike.

Parrots Ferry bridge

Group picture on Parrots Ferry bridge

Bike surfing, on Parrots Ferry bridge

April being towed by Donny up the hill towards Murphys

The large group all then started up the road and I hung back to see how the tail end was doing. It was Harold and Toni and April, all going about the same speed. I checked in with Harold and Toni, and Harold said he would watch out for Toni, so I went to April and asked if she was ready for the bungee cord. April accepted my offer and so we were soon way ahead of Toni and Harold, but never really caught up with the others until we pulled into Murphys.

April and Cora, sitting on a bench in Murphys

I figured that we were now an hour ahead of Toni, but before too long there she was. I was impressed. On the way out of Murphys I let April go off with the others while I went down to use the restroom. Patti had gone there before me, and so when I got there I saw Patti busy taking her wheel off her bike. Flat tire. Good thing I happened to come along. We had it soon fixed and then we took off in pursuit of the others.

Toni, Patti, April, and Cora, resting along Dogtown Road

Patti and I didn't catch up with the others until almost Angels camp. Then we all started out on Dogtown Road together. It was bumpy, but I was thinking it didn't seem quite as bumpy as in past years. But I'm sure I was just wishing it were so. Along Dogtown Road, we stopped at my stream, but I was the only one who got in the water. I floated around for a bit, then got ready to go again.

Donkey that was chasing a calf, and then its mother, near Calaveritas Road reststop

Next up was the SAG reststop at the junction with Calveritas Road. They were supposed to be gone already, but there they were, still waiting for us. We were the last ones, as usual. While there, we looked across the field and saw a donkey busy chasing a calf around the field. The donkey seemed to be a bit horny to me. Then the mother cow started in, doing a smaller circle while trying to get inbetween the donkey and the calf. Finally the mother succeeded, but now the donkey continued, chasing the mother and not the calf. Finally the donkey got tired and went to stand under the shade.

We all stopped for lunch in San Andreas, then it was straight up north on Hwy 49 all the way to Jackson. On the long downhill after Mokelumne Hill, April got off the front and was just flying down the hill. I caught up and had her slow down to a more manageable speed, but I think this didn't get communicated too well. April, Cora, and I all stopped at the river and went down under the bridge. The water was really rushing and was cold, but we managed to find a calm piece and went in just far enough to cool off. Some parts needed cooling off more than others.

At St.Sava Mission in Jackson, we found a spot and set up our tents. I asked Peggy where hers was and she said she was waiting for us before she set up. Peggy was ok with our spot, so she joined me and Cora and April to be part of our neighborhood. So that was good. Even though I couldn't ride with Peggy, at least I could camp near her. I like Peggy.

Monday June 20 - Jackson to Folsom

The Jackson tower, from far away

Pardee Reservoir

April, Toni, Harold, near Pardee Reservoir, on short option

Donny and April, near Ione

Theresa, Robin, Peggy, Cora, in Volcano, on long option

I knew that today's long option up to Volcano and Fiddletown would be too much for April, and besides, the others wouldn't be waiting for us. So my plan for today was to do the short route with April, and to let Cora join Peggy and the others on the long route. The short route contained many new roads for me, so this was a good choice. It started out going down past Pardee Reservoir and then cut over through Ione, rejoining the long route just before our traditional stop under the bridge in the Consumes River. We all agreed that we would meet up at the river.

April and I were joined by Toni and Harold, and also Joe Walton was going our way. Liesurely would be one word to describe how we were riding. I was keeping track, and we did 7 miles in the first hour and 15 miles after 2 hours. But that was ok. We had some good company. We all stopped off in Ione for lunch. It was good food, but I think it was about a 90 minute stop.

April and I had arranged to meet the others at the river, so after lunch we said goodbye to the others and then went off the front. It was lots of little rollers, up and down up and down. They were too quick and small to use the bungee cord, but I did manage to get alot of short pushes to help April up the hills. We even started to catch and pass people.

There was a SAG reststop just one mile before the river stop. We met Cora, Robin, and Theresa there waiting for us, and they said Peggy and Phill were waiting at the river. Robin announced to the others at the reststop that I knew where a swimming place was. One woman, Miriam, heard this and was so pleased that she rushed over and gave me a big kiss. A pleasant surprise. We all then headed down to the river.

Donny, Theresa, Robin, swimming in Consumes River

We met Peggy and Phil at the river along with a few others. After we all arrived we must have had about 12 people there. I had never seen this water this fast before. I got in but made sure that I stayed close to the edge, as if I went further out I would have been downstream with no chance of getting back again.

After a good long time at the river it got time to go again. I helped bring everybody's bikes back up to the road. When I brought my own bike up I found I had a flat tire. But i knew we had a long uphill ahead so I sent the others off, then got to changing my flat. I had it fixed and managed to catch up by the time we all got to the top of the hill.

When we got to the Hwy 50 crossing, it was hot enough that we stopped in at McDonalds for some ice cream and sodas. Then it was on through town to find our camp. Thios year we would be staying at the Folsom Middle School in the middle of the football field.

Peggy and Phil, relaxing in Folsom

Kim, Donny, Peggy, tent-hopping in Folsom

Cora, in Folsom

Donny and Cora, playing Sumo Hula in Folsom

We found Peggy and Phil set their tents up near the yellow truck, so we joined them there. I also helped Kim out by setting her tent up in our neighborhood. Kim was doing double-duty on this tour, being both in charge of camping and in charge of food. I don't know how she was able to do all of this and still find time to ride her bike. So whenever I could help Kim out, I did. I like Kim.

Tuesday June 21 - Folsom to Lake Solano

Cora, Steve, April, with their Rivendell bikes, in Folsom

Riding along the American River bike trail

April taking my picture, along American River bike trail

Bikemaster pose - Cora, Phil, Robin, Kim, Theresa, Patti, Steve, Peggy, Donny

Cora and Patti, crossing bridge into Old Sacramento

Cora and April, in Old Sacramento

We hung out in Old Sac for awhile, then Kim got a group together to do the long option up to Woodlands before turning into Davis. I didn't realize just what I was getting myself into, but I went along with them. This was a new route for me, as I had always taken the straight route along Hwy 80 before. Once we got out of town the pace picked up immediately to about 22 to 24 mph, and I found myself off the back with no chance to catch back up. I did the best that I could, but I wasn't having any fun. I wasn't touring.

Finally I could just barely see the group turn left far ahead, then turn into a gas station market. When I pulled in, I lost control and sorry to say, I yelled at Kim. I was pretty hard on her, and almost as fast as I was saying it, I was sorry for yelling at her. I would spend the rest of the day trying to get over this. We still had 10 miles to get to Davis, and so Phil suggested that I could lead the group in and they would all paceline behind me. That worked for me, as it made me work hard enough to work out my frustrations, and I didn't work any harder than if I was again dropped by the group. This worked good for the group also, as when we got close to Davis they all sprinted ahead to try for the city limit sign, so I did most of the work for them all.

It was hot enough, that when we got into Davis, I left the others for a bit and rode straight to the fountain in the park. Good it was working this year. I got in and got totally soaked, which felt great. I then went and found the others at lunch. I had lunch with Kim, and Kim seemed totally past my having yelled at her, which was good. But I was still a bit mad at myself for losing my temper. As we were finishing lunch, Peggy and her group arrived. They had done the Woodlands option also, but at a more sensible pace. Maybe I should have ridden with them. But Kim's plan was still a go, so we said goodbye to the others and headed out, just the two of us now.

I told kim that I knew a shortcut, so when we got over by Winters we crossed the river into town and then out the other side and it was a straight, flat ride over to Lake Solano, and about 2 miles shorter than the official route. But instead of stopping at camp we passed on by and climbed up over Monticello Dam. We found a spot at Lake Berryessa and went down to the water to go swimming. It was nice with just me and Kim, but with a couple of other people within sight. After about a half hour it was time to get on in to camp.

Wednesday June 22 - Lake Solano to Harbin Hot Springs

April, Cora, Donny, bikes loaded and ready for Harbin

Ziggy and two llamas, near Lake Solano

Closeup of Ziggy the zony

Our first stop this morning was just across the road to show April the zony. Half zebra, half pony. Ziggy was still there, along with two llamas.

Cora and April at top of Cardiac Hill

Donny and Cora, at top of Cardiac Hill

On the climbs up to Monticello Dam and on Cardiac Hill, I hooked April up with the bungee cord. Cardiac was much longer than I remembered it, but we finally made it to the top, where we stopped for a few pictures. That was a good portion of our climbing for the day, now already behind us.

Just as we were approaching Muskowitz Store, a fast paceline of riders came flying by, and I was glad to find that it was Peggy, Phil, and Kim. They had given us a headstart while they went back to finish packing tents, but now we were all together.

The Muskowitz Store didn't have much lunch stuff, so we rode a few miles up the road and stopped to buy our lunches at the store where we would turn towards Spanish Flat. Our little group was all planning to buy lunch and carry it with us to our swimming place.

Peggy and Kim, swimming in Lake Berryessa

At Lake Berryessa swim spot we had me, Phil, and Leo, plus, April, Cora, Theresa, Kim, and Peggy. 5 women, 3 guys, all a good group. This part of Lake Berryessa was much better than where Kim and I went yesterday, as today's water was clear while yesterday's water was muddy as it got stirred up by the power boats.

adding ice to our waterbottles, at Pope Valley store

Finally on the road again we continued along the edge of Lake Berryessa for many more miles, then headed up the hill towards Pope Valley. At the Pope Valley store, I remembered the bag of ice we bought a few years ago and so decided that was a good idea for this time too. This one bag was just enough to fill up all of our waterbottles.

This year they moved the Ink Grade reststop to the top of the hill, and it was soon to close, so we said our goodbyes and the others headed out to go climb the hill. Soon after they left I noticed that Kim had left her waterbottles behind. Leo was still with us at the store, so he said that he would take them. Leo was hoping the SAG would stop by and lucky for him it did. But then after Leo and the SAG left, I noticed that now Leo had forgotten his own waterbottles, but he did remember to take Kim's. So I added Leo's 2 bottles to the large load already on my bike.

Only 20 miles more to Harbin. April and Cora were getting excited too. But first we had to climb up over Butts Canyon Road. I hooked April on again and we soon got to the top, going about the same pace as Cora. Then it was downhill and flats in to Middletown. April showed me where she and April had ridden out to from Harbin during another trip, saying that it had seemed a long way then, but now it was much shorter. In Middletown we stopped at the Market for one more reststop. Climbing up into Harbin, April said she had to walk this one hill the last time, but now she was able to ride up it.

At the Harbin entrance booth, April announced that she was done with riding and will walk from here, so I walked up with her, sending Cora ahead to get a head start on the showers. At the camping deck, there were already lots of bags laid out, but we were able to secure a nice section for the 3 of us. We parked our bikes over aways, just off the deck.

As always, the pools were great, and Harbin was just a great place to be. The only problem with our coming here is that when it comes time to leave, we just don't want to leave. That evening, as we were climbing into our sleeping bags, we could hear chanting coming from over at the warm pool. That's right, today was the summer solstice and so they were having their celebration. That would explain why it seemed more crowded than when we were here last year.

Thursday June 23 - Harbin Hot Springs to Duncans Mills

Donny's bike, loaded down, on camping deck at Harbin

Teddy and Cora, loaded down with 2 Little Joe bags

April was a bit worried about our first hill today, going up Western Mine Road with 2 miles of gravel road. At the start it was paved, so I just hooked April on and we headed out. Then when it turned to gravel I just told April we would continue on as far as we could. Finally, a tire slipped and we had to stop. We then tried walking a short section and then hooking up again, but it was hard to get going with the gravel, so we were wasting time by trying. Instead I decided to just walk with April.

Even walking up the hill I was dropping April, so our solution was to again hook up the bungee cord between the bikes and then to just walk along. This way I was still able to give April an assist. Cora had gone on ahead, and when we finally made it to the top she said she was waiting about 20 minutes. That wasn't too bad, but it was April's toughest part of the whole tour.

Once we got to the top of Western Mine Road we stopped for some snacks, and then begun the easy riding along the ridge followed by many miles of good downhill, finally coming out with a great view of a valley filled with grape vines.

Cora and Donny, with loaded bikes, entering wine country

Donny with loaded bike, entering wine country

Teddy, Cora, April, resting in the shade

We arrived at Jimtown Store just after 2:00, only a few minutes later than last year. But we were about 4 hours behind the other people on the tour. We won't see any of them until we got to camp. We had a good lunch at Jimtown Store.

Next up was our ride to and through Healdsburg. I knew the way this time, so we were soon well on our way. I even had thoughts of our making it to the next SAG reststop before it closed, but by the time we got there we were over an hour past cutoff time, so we just continued on. We then stopped at Safeway in Guerneville and saw one of the SAGs come in to buy more cheese for the wine and cheese party, so we were getting close.

Finally we made it in to Casini Ranch, and set up tents near Phil, Kim, and Peggy as usual.

April, Robin, Cora, at Casini Ranch

April, Donny, Cora, at Casini Ranch

April, Donny, Cora, at Casini Ranch

Friday June 24 - Duncans Mills to Olema

Peggy, still in her tent, at Casini Ranch

Kim, on her bike

We were thinking about climbing Coleman Valley Road today, so we planned for April to ride a shorter option. April found Steve Sloan to ride with her. It was a good match. But then by the time that everyone was ready to go, we all decided to take the short route, at least to breakfast. Today was my day to ride with Phil, Kim, Peggy, and Cora.

We got a place on the front porch of Howard's Station for breakfast. April and Steve joined us when they arrived. After breakfast, we all again decided to take the easy route, so it would be no Coleman Valley today. We all rode down to Freestone and then on to Valley Ford. Peggy seemed to be the frisky one today, often going off the front and getting the city limit signs. And Peggy just doesn't do that.

In Valley Ford, I mentioned that I knew a good route to get over to Tomales which would add a few miles but would all be on great roads. The group liked this idea, so off we went, first on the Petaluma Road, then right on Gericke Road to climb up over the hill. I mentioned to Phil that the road condition improved alot for the downhill on the other side, because the county line was at the summit of this hill (hint, hint). We rode up side by side, then towards the top Phil tried to sprint off ahead. I wasn't worried, but just picked up my pace a bit and then easily passed Phil about 10 yards before the sign, as he had gone out too fast and went anerobic.

After the downhill, we turned left on another Petaluma Road, then right on Twin Bridges Road. This took us over to still another Petaluma road where we now turned right and rode it in to Tomales for our next reststop.

Phil, Peggy, Donny, Kim, on sidewalk in Tomales

It is tradition to hang out in Tomales with at least some laying down on the sidewalk to soak up the sun. There was no sun today, but we did the sidewalk thing anyway. Peggy's husband George and Phil's wife Jeanne were both scheduled to meet up with us in Marshall, just 15 miles down the road, so there wasn't any hurry. But finally it was time to go. Peggy was still feeling good so I think she also got the Marshall sprint from Phil.

Donny and Teddy, at Tony's restaurant in Marshall

Jeanne was there waiting for us, and George arrived just shortly after. We all went in to Tony's restaurant for some oysters. Good food. After that, we all had to say goodbye to Phil as his tour was ending now. It was just another 10 or so miles to get in to Olema, and we made quick work of that. Peggy and George were staying at the fancy hotel in Olema, so it was just me, Kim, and Cora and April for our neighborhood this night.

Saturday June 25 - Olema to San Francisco

Kim and Peggy caught up here and we rode together to Fairfax at mile 15, where we were to stop again. I had already agreed to this stop as it was to meet Charlie. Kim and Peggy went to a coffee shop while April and Cora led me off up a few side streets. Charlie wasn't home, and I was releaved as we could keep this stop short now. We went back and met Kim and Peggy but instead of waiting for them I got April and Cora rolling again as we had our schedule to keep. This schedule thing finally started to sink in on April and Cora, so they were now ok to keep moving. We stopped at the restrooms in Sausalito but otherwise kept it moving all the way to San Francisco.

Cora and April, with San Francisco in background

Cora and April, with Golden Gate Bridge in background

Donny and Cora, with Golden Gate Bridge in background

April, Peggy, Kim, Cora, at middle of Golden Gate Bridge

It was April's first time to ride across the Golden Gate bridge, so we stopped for a few pictures. We were at the middle of the bridge when Kim and Peggy caught back up. Crossing the bridge I really emphazised the safety issue with April, and made sure that we did not try to pass any oncoming riders when we were in the tight sections. April's handlebars stuck out a few inches more than normal bars, so I didn't want to have any accidents.

Getting over to Golden Gate Park I again wanted us to do the direct route, but this time we would try two blocks over on 23rd Ave instead of staying on busy 25th Ave. 23rd Ave had a bike route to the park so it worked out good. Peggy wanted to take the official STTS route over to the Great Highway, so it was good that Kim agreed to go with her. They arrived at the finish about 15 minutes behind us. My reasoning was that we wanted to get there earlier as we needed to ride all the way to San Jose.

By 1:00 PM we were all ready to go again. For this ride down to San Jose we had me, Cora, April, and Kim. Coming up to join us were Guy and Holly. We had a good group. Kim told me that she would probably go off the front with Guy and I said ok. But then Kim would go off the front with Holly and Guy would remain back with me and April and Cora. Often Guy would get in front of April and me, such that he was interferring with our riding. Because of all the rollers I was always at April's side to give her a push up the hills, but this was hard to do with Guy in front of us.

At the Burlingame Chevron station Kim and Holly waited for us so we were all together again. Kim again told me that she would go off the front with Guy, but again Guy stayed back with us while Kim and Holly disappeared off the front. I wish Guy would get the hint and go up with Kim. This stretch on into Woodside was getting to both April and Cora. In addition to my giving April a few pushes I now also went to give Cora an assist or two. They both accepted my help and we kept the group moving. We tried to get Guy to give Cora a push, but it wasn't working. Finally we pulled up to Roberts Store in Woodside and met Kim and Holly there waiting for us.

We were now all together again, sitting on the curb eatting our snacks. Guy bought everyone a "Kaboom" soda. While we were sitting there, Bud Adams rolled in. It seems that Bud had ridden from San Jose this morning all the way up to San Francisco to meet us, but when he got there we were already gone. So Bud had been chasing along behind us for all of this time. Bud was sure happy to finally catch up, and we were also all happy to see Bud.

For this next stretch, Kim and Holly again went off the front, but this time Guy actually went with them. As I figured, we never saw them again, as Holly would turn off in Cupertino, and now Kim had someone to ride with for crossing the valley to south San Jose.

Bud joined me and April and Cora. After the small climb up over Sand Hill, then all of our climbing was finished for the day. It was now all flats and mostly tail wind. As we went along, both Cora and April seemed to get renewed energy. Maybe it was the Kaboom. We stopped for one final reststop at the Homestead Chevron station. I was the only one to eat here, but Bud gave Cora and then April a session on their knees. One knee at a time, Bud would place his hands near but not touching the knee, and then he would pray to have all of the pain in the knee removed. I think this worked. From this point all of the way to the finish at my house, it looked like Cora, and especially April, was riding with no pain and still lots of energy. It in no way looked like they were towards the end of a hard 100 mile day. April was even feeling frisky and twice went sprinting off ahead to get both the Campbell and San Jose city limit signs. April was on a natural high, and it was good to see.

We pulled into my house at 102 miles, a new high by 2 miles for Cora, and a way high for April who's old pre-tour high mileage was about 70 miles. Both had now ridden for 9 days straight and got about 600 miles. And no bus ride. Bud now rode on home, and I loaded April and Cora into my van and we drove over to Fletch Dobb's house to pick up our luggage. From there we drove over to Kim's house to drop them off at Cora's car. April and Cora then drove down to San Juan Bautista. I went out to dinner with Kim and Guy, and Guy insisted on buying, so I said ok. They had finished only a half hour ahead of us, and we stopped at that gas station for about a half hour while they skipped it.

My tour was now finally over. It might have been my best, as I was happy to help April and Cora have their best tour. I only wished that I could have ridden a bit more with Peggy and Kim, and with Theresa and Robin, but I couldn't be in all places at the same time. And also, I was sorry that I missed seeing Nicole, as I had practised my hula-hooping just to challenge her, but then she couldn't make it. I only heard afterwards that she was in Olema after we had left and was in San Francisco, again after we had left.