SoloBiker.com

What a difference a day of rest makes!

I left at 8:30am with quite a bit of concern about my balky body. The previous days had proven tough on my shoulders and back, to the point that the ride was no fun at all at certain points.

On my way out of Lodi, I decided to adjust my route on the fly, depending on how I was feeling.

I took Hwy 12 east to Interstate 80, through the endless traffic on that route through the Delta. I accidentally rode through a red stop light on the Rio Vista bridge. Talk about lucky – not only did I not have to wait 30 minutes for the bridge to open and close again, but more importantly, I was not stopped, and the bridge had not yet begun to open. So I’m here writing this instead of swimming in the Sacramento River right now.

Making great time to US 101 and feeling good, I made the decision to venture out to Hwy 1 via Hwy 128. I had done this once before in a car, and it was one of my favorite ways to get to the coast. The road starts with numerous tight-ish turns, straightens out for a good bit, then turns twisty again as it heads into the Navarro River State Park area.

Finally, 128 ends at one of my favorite junctions in all of California.

I don’t quite know what it is exactly about this junction that I love so much.

Perhaps it’s the fact that 128 becomes 1 without ever having to make a turn

Or maybe it’s the Navarro River here that flows just around the corner from the junction into the Pacific Ocean.

Maybe it’s just this simple bridge crossing the River, allowing Hwy 1 to continue it’s northward coastal journey.

Whatever it is, I could spend all day long at this one spot. But time’s a wastin’…

Within moments after taking off again, I see it. The culmination of a dream that has been countless years in the making – I’m riding my bike next to the Pacific Ocean.

The first moment I see a level, paved parking lot (hey, I’m still a newbie in some ways!) I stop to take it all in, and get some photographic evidence that I was there.

And yes, Stomper made it too!

By pure chance as I left the parking lot, I fell in at the tail end of an 8 bike convoy. I missed a few of the specific models, but there were at least two V-Stroms, a BMW, and a yellow Goldwing in the group.

I didn’t want to intrude on their ride, so I stayed in back as I followed them through Fort Bragg. Once we hit some of the twistier bits, one rider quickly dropped back from the group. I’m not sure if he was sweeping from that far back, or if he was just the least experienced rider in the group, but while the other 7 quickly disappeared, I found I was able to just about keep up with him. This made me feel quite a bit better about my riding skills.

Finally, as we turned inland toward 101, I found that comfort zone in the twisties that had been missing the entire trip. For the first time, I was hitting each corner properly, and was moving at a solid clip – faster then all of the cars on the road for the first time.

My reverie was eventually interrupted by a tow truck lifting a brand new, maroon, completely wadded up 2009 Kawasaki Concours 14. I couldn’t believe it. I slowed to make sure the rider was okay, and he gave a sheepish grin and wave. I slowed a bit after that, feeling better about my capabilities.

Working my way north and west up 101, I knew by the quickly cooling temps that I was almost to Fortuna. Despite venturing out to the coast, I was still about 20 minutes ahead of schedule. I stopped for a quick break.

Eureka! I found it! (Sorry.)

I quickly found my way to my accomodations for the night. Dr. Gil and Beck-Suki of Sport-Touring.net fame, had generously offered me a place to stay for the night at their B&B&B (Bed & Breakfast & Bikes).

What wonderful people! I’m a shy, introverted guy who has trouble meeting new people. (Whaddya expect from a blog called SoloBiker.com?) But they instantly made me feel right at home, despite my nervousness.

My quarters for the night…

The wall of riders who have come to stay with Gil & Becky during their travels. I’m proud to have my goofy-looking mug added to these boards.

Gil & Becky, it was great to meet you, and spend time talking with you. I’d be honored to return the favor somehow if I ever can, and I hope to come back in the future. Thank you again for putting up with me.