Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.Mojo Slim
10-08-08, 10:09 PM
Sometimes you just want a flat ride. Five of us took off in a cool morning, heading for the levee (insert song lines here). The route takes us from our neighborhood out through the rice fields of the western county. We pass through three towns that are so small, no population is not listed on the "Welcome to ___" signs. We stop briefly at a little store for a break at 18 miles. It is unlikely we will see another store for many miles.
So far, we have climbed nearly 30 feet. We pass construction of a highway overpass that will eventually become the worst hill on this route.
At 22.23 miles we hit our first hill climb. It's over at 22.26 miles. :rolleyes: Below is a picture of some of us climbing up on to the levee road.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k87/tomfrady/10-08-08UptotheLevee.jpg
The levee road is actually called "Garden Highway" and it follows the river for about 30 miles. Most of the pavement is very smooth, albeit we hit some areas where there are more patches than original paving. Three of the riders have never been on the levee before and enjoy the it greatly (except for the road surface):notamused:. EDIT: One fun little thing. Many of the homes had mirrors placed opposite their driveways to help see on coming traffic as they pull out. It was fun to see our little squadron roll by as we passed the mirrors. One seldom gets to see oneself actually riding a bike.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k87/tomfrady/10-08-08Onthelevee1.jpg
At about 32 miles, we pass the outer most point to which I have been. We pass into the Forbidden Zone.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k87/tomfrady/10-08-08Onthelevee2.jpg
The road gets very rough, but there are some houses on the river that look more like Marriotts. And they're on stilts! Because of the very flat terrain, we are averaging something over 16 mph, without really trying. The road smoothes out. :thumb:
We begin to get back into civilization and take a brief break under an underpass at mile 52. I'm glad I brought some extra food (PowerBars and Bananas) and we all have hydration packs and two bottles of electrolyte drink, which is not usually the case. We had planned a 70 mile ride, but it's clear this will be more . . . and it's heating up.
After a few moments of indecision and carrying our bikes over some more construction, we find the bike trail that will head us home. It's a rail trail, light rail, actually. At this time, we have climbed over 275 feet! Here's the trail.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k87/tomfrady/10-08-08RioLindaBikeTrail.jpg
Now on a trafficky road with a good shoulder, we make another turn for home and search, briefly, for a Starbucks. We settle for a Del Taco at 60 miles.
Now, it into a moderate wind, but the tacos seemed to have energized everyone and we're moving at a good 18 mph clip. A right turn at the dump and the wind is at our back. Passed the Indian Casino, up and over the highway (hill climb!) and soon into the neighborhood cafe for our after-ride Coke. 84 miles and we all agree it was a great ride, taken at a temperate pace and plenty of new scenery to view. We decide that we will do the ride again, in the opposite direction, adding enough miles to make it a century. Maybe next month.
So far, we have climbed nearly 30 feet. We pass construction of a highway overpass that will eventually become the worst hill on this route.
At 22.23 miles we hit our first hill climb. It's over at 22.26 miles. :rolleyes: Below is a picture of some of us climbing up on to the levee road.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k87/tomfrady/10-08-08UptotheLevee.jpg
The levee road is actually called "Garden Highway" and it follows the river for about 30 miles. Most of the pavement is very smooth, albeit we hit some areas where there are more patches than original paving. Three of the riders have never been on the levee before and enjoy the it greatly (except for the road surface):notamused:. EDIT: One fun little thing. Many of the homes had mirrors placed opposite their driveways to help see on coming traffic as they pull out. It was fun to see our little squadron roll by as we passed the mirrors. One seldom gets to see oneself actually riding a bike.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k87/tomfrady/10-08-08Onthelevee1.jpg
At about 32 miles, we pass the outer most point to which I have been. We pass into the Forbidden Zone.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k87/tomfrady/10-08-08Onthelevee2.jpg
The road gets very rough, but there are some houses on the river that look more like Marriotts. And they're on stilts! Because of the very flat terrain, we are averaging something over 16 mph, without really trying. The road smoothes out. :thumb:
We begin to get back into civilization and take a brief break under an underpass at mile 52. I'm glad I brought some extra food (PowerBars and Bananas) and we all have hydration packs and two bottles of electrolyte drink, which is not usually the case. We had planned a 70 mile ride, but it's clear this will be more . . . and it's heating up.
After a few moments of indecision and carrying our bikes over some more construction, we find the bike trail that will head us home. It's a rail trail, light rail, actually. At this time, we have climbed over 275 feet! Here's the trail.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k87/tomfrady/10-08-08RioLindaBikeTrail.jpg
Now on a trafficky road with a good shoulder, we make another turn for home and search, briefly, for a Starbucks. We settle for a Del Taco at 60 miles.
Now, it into a moderate wind, but the tacos seemed to have energized everyone and we're moving at a good 18 mph clip. A right turn at the dump and the wind is at our back. Passed the Indian Casino, up and over the highway (hill climb!) and soon into the neighborhood cafe for our after-ride Coke. 84 miles and we all agree it was a great ride, taken at a temperate pace and plenty of new scenery to view. We decide that we will do the ride again, in the opposite direction, adding enough miles to make it a century. Maybe next month.