West Coast Ride – Day Five

Left out of Clovis right around 9:30 this morning. Headed west towards a town called Gilroy. More vineyards and nut trees, pretty sure they’re mostly almond trees. I soon came to a small town call Los Banos (think it means “The Bathrooms” but I’m sure I’m wrong). Los Banos is full of fruit stands, and twenty times as many hand painted fruit stand signs.

Shortly after Los Banos I started climbing through more of the yellow grass foothills. Now, I was warned that once I crossed over the foothills and started my way down that the temperature would drop. Not a lot, but enough to tell the difference. I wasn’t lied to. The temp dropped, a lot, and fast. I was a little chilly to say the least.

So far today’s ride has been pretty uneventful. Stopped in Gilroy for a bite to eat. My server was a trainee. I always get the trainee! Anyway, finish my lunch and jump on Highway 101 headed for San Francisco. Now, my original plan was to run from Clovis to the coast and then ride the Pacific Coast Highway all the way to San Francisco. But I’m not comfortable riding a 1200lbs bike on a road that is mostly cliffs and winds. And, my GPS doesn’t like to do what I want. She just wants to get to our destination as fast a possible. So, I’ve had to start baby steps. To Gilroy was no problem. To my final destination, through San Francisco, was a bit of a struggle. She kept wanting to run me through Oakland, somewhere I didn’t want to go.

So I ignored her and stayed on 101. I knew from looking at my maps that the 101 ran into San Fran and over the Golden Gate Bridge but I’m expecting something like Dallas or Houston or any other major city I’ve run through, A highway that runs through the city. Y’all, I ended up in the middle of San Francisco, not on a highway. The 101 turns into city streets and I got to know the city better than I ever intended to. And let me tell you, the entire city is under construction! I couldn’t wait to get to and over that bridge.

My plan was to get off just before the Golden Gate to get a good photo of it but traffic wouldn’t allow it and turning around wasn’t happening. The bridge itself is something to see but in all reality it’s just another bridge. However I did get to see Alcatraz sitting in the middle of the bay. I thought that was pretty neat. I’d love to tour that place.

From the bridge to about 50 miles from my destination was mostly city traffic. But some of the views were incredible. Miles and miles of vineyards. Not the straight rows in flat fields like I’d seen previously but rolling hills of lush green grape vines. Gorgeous. Reminded me of our time in Italy.

As I grew closer to my destination I decided to stop and top off the tank, just in case. Stopped in a little place called Novato. Filled up my tank, got my water and started back on my way. This is when the fun happened. As I pulled out of the gas station I noticed a young man crossing the street. He apparently hit or bumped the car sitting at the light as he crossed. I pulled up behind this car. Words were exchanged, didn’t here any but I got the gist. Guy in front of me speeds off to the right from the left turn lane and into the gas station I’d just pulled out of. I’m now sitting through a second red light. Their “conversation” ate up the green light. So as I waited I watched these two idiots duke it out. I say duke it out but dance is probably a more accurate word. A total of about 5 punches were thrown and none landed with any great significance. They parted and car guy jumped back in his car and back into the turn lane right behind, RIGHT behind me. Had I pushed the bike back a step I’d have hit his bumper. So now I’ve got a really amped up dude, in a car, behind me. Never good news. Got away from him fast.

Eventually ended up in stop and go traffic which is never fun. This lasted for several miles. We’d stop and slowly move forward then get to speed for a few miles and start all over. Wasn’t until I was about thirty miles out that the traffic settled back down.

Made it to a little town called Willits, California. I’m here at a KOA and it’s pretty chilly out. Supposed to get into the fifties tonight. And I’m lonely. No TV to keep me company tonight. But I’ve got to do it. Have to suffer through it and force myself to truth. I had my first real road moment today too. I had come to a large body of water at some point early on. Don’t know if it was a lake or reservoir but sitting in the foothills it was a sight to see. I almost pointed to it. You see, when you’re riding with others, communication is all hand signals. Pointing at something is a “Hey check that out” kind of gesture. Didn’t point. It was like reaching for your phone to send a text message when you remember there’s no one there to receive it.

So today kinda sucked. Tonight really sucks. But tomorrow Libby and I will push forward to Oregon. We have to.

Stay safe my friends, and enjoy your workday!