northbend 

Rather than gunk up the existing Eroica thread I thought it would be better to just start my own thread as my story begins and ends with the 2600 miles I spent on the road to get there and back.

The Trip Down:

My wife, Robin, drove down with me and we stopped to spend a few days with my brother and his partner at their new home in the Sierra foothills. It was heartwarming to see them so happy and a joy to see Robin get a chance to do an extended ride on one of their horses. Robin used to have a horse when she was on the farm as a kid so this was very special for her.




While the girls were out riding we boys cruised the neighborhood on some cool old bikes my nephew had stored at his dad’s house.

Mine being this very nice Ross


I dropped Robin off at the Airport in Sacramento where she flew home instead of hanging out with a bunch of old bike geeks for the rest of the trip :-)
While she had some peace n quiet at home my travels next took me to a friends​'s house in Lincoln. My friend Dale led me around on a 40 mile loop in the foothills near home and just as we got back to the house more mutual friends arrived at Dales, stopping on their way back home after a week in Santa Rosa.
A wonderful evening with friends and then the next morning I was off to Atascadero for the Eroica ride. I met up with Alex Moll on Friday and we joined a fairly large group of folks for dinner in Paso Robles.

northbend 

The Festival:


I explored the roads around the area on Saturday riding a 40 mile figure 8 loop into Paso Robles to pick up my Ride Packet.

Lots of beautiful bikes and interesting people at the festival but I didn't linger long.


I wanted to do some more exploring by bike of this wonderful area. California in the Spring time is gorgeous and I wasn’t going to waste a moment of it.

northbend 

The Eroica:


Up early on Sunday for the actual Eroica, I started out on the course at 5:45AM with Alex Moll riding thru darkness out of town. Pretty cool watching the sunrise as we headed east. The 1st rest stop at the Cass Winery was serving up delicious turkey wraps and handing out wine in bike bottles.



We had met forumite Delicious with his ride Partner on the ride into Cass..



Leaving the Winery now at sunrise, we encountered out first real challenge of the day - a short steep climb on loose gravel there.



I had to dodge Delicious as he began to stall in front of me. I worked my way around him and when I reached to top of the hill I was alone and that was pretty much the way it was from that point on for hours.
The next rest stop was where they served up french fries and bread made with the olive oil made there on the farm. It was quite tasty.





I didn't expect this kind of solitude on a ride of the size and it was magical. Occasionally I'd catch a rider or a rider would pass me but I mostly glided along on dirt roads lined with Oak trees listening to the songbirds.

northbend 

My favorite rest stop was at Halter vineyard. I made up a meal wand washed it down with some fine wine.





The route planners put all the hardest hills on gravel roads, none too technical but very difficult physically.



By the time I crested Cypress mountain (20% for the last 1/2 mile) I was relieved to see the ocean in the distance knowing it was 18 miles of downhill to Cambria.



That descent proved to be almost as difficult as the climb! It was a steep patchwork of dirt, gravel and old patched up pavement.

As it began to level off, I could pay more attention to the beautiful countryside

northbend 

I made it down to Cambria in one piece an lingered at the rest stop there to give me feet a break from the old Sidi Shoes I was wearing. Slotted Cleats, no float and a foot bed as hard as a rock..



Onward down the Coast hwy 1 to Caycuos for lunch and the street fair by the beach. I was ready for some food.




This turned out to be a mistake - they were serving Clam Chowder and Citrus drinks and all that heavy cream coupled with the acidy drink made me sick to my stomach. The last big climb of the day was just outside of town.
@delicious and his ride partner caught and passed me at this point


The bottom section of the 14 mile climb was exposed to the sun which has now in the mid 80's. I went into survival mode dropping into my granny gear trying to keep from getting sicker.




Mercifully, the Oak trees came back to shade the road about 4 miles into the climb which helped a bit.

northbend 

I crested the hill and passed the water station knowing there was a rest stop 5 miles down hill from there.
I was coasting downhill when this overpowering wave a nausea hit me and I threw up everything I had taken in since Cambria. I was thankful that no one was around to see me at my weakest moment, hurling violently while still riding. After this I did feel much better though, no more nausea just weak. I ended up pretty much soft pedaling back into Paso Robles at around 5pm, 127 miles and 10,000 feet of climbing having been done for the day.


A beautiful and epic day. I arrived that the finish line at the same time as Bob Freeman who was just finishing up the medium route (67 miles). His wife, Deanna​ taking a finish line photo of the two of us.



as I waited for Alex to finish, I ran into forumite @djkashuba and had a very pleasant conversation with him.


Alex finished around 7pm, having gotten off course at one point and adding few more miles.



As we were having beers later on at Firestone Walker, Alex and I were recounting our days. It was a very difficult ride for both of us this early in the season. I had to laugh when I recalled Alex saying how he used to spend time in this area some 15-20 years ago while in the Navy. He related how he had no good memories for the place because he’d always been there for some difficult trials or maneuvers. I had to comment that I guess things hadn’t really changed that much :-)

northbend 

The Return Home:


I left Atascadero on Monday, Driving up to Santa Rosa to meet back up with my buddy Dale for 'recovery' ride up Kings Ridge just outside of town the next morning. We planned our route over Pizza and Beer at the Russian River Brewery.


Tuesday morning we had planned to meet up with Bob Freeman and some of his friends but as it was, we ended up not starting with them but overtaking them on the Ridge near the top.




This worked out perfectly since our climbing speeds were higher. Bob (67?) and his friends Charles (74?) and Ken (81!!) were inspiring to ride with and I can only hope I can be healthy enough to ride like they do when I am their age. That was a real treat.

Charles Nighbor:

northbend 

Kings Ridge is one of classic routes in California. Miles of steep climbing and then an amazing ribbon of road the traces the top of the ridgeline gradually losing altitude as you follow it twords the coastline and the big drop down Meyers Grade to hwy 1.


I had ridden it back in 2011 on Levis Granfondo. Back then it was October and the weather most of the day was pretty crappy - Wet, Windy and Cold. I had wanted to see this place during better conditions. we had that in spades!














It was a great pleasure rolling along the ridge top with these inspiring gentlemen.

northbend 

The wind was gusting too much to safely descend Meyers at high speed but that was OK - more time to take in the views.







Truly a fun - fun day with my buddy Dale.


On Wednesday, I stopped briefly in Petaluma to visit Bruce Gordon Cycles.



Bruce was there, alone in the shop when I dropped in with my bike. I pretty much just wanted to meet him and let him know how much the bike he had made gave me so much enjoyment over the past 30 plus years. I ended up talking with him for about an hour and came away with some great insights on him and this reputation he has for being difficult. I think he’s misunderstood. He wears his heart on his sleeve and he’s very sincere guy. He took time to talk with me even though he was going through a difficult personal issue that morning. After buying two souvenir bottles I had to get on the road for the long drive to Klamath Lake Oregon. As I was packing my bike, Bruce came back out and handed me some “”Bruce Gordon was nice to me!” Buttons. That was a nice gesture. @Vonruden, I know you have a BG, ya want one?


You should see his collection of bikes in the showroom! each one is brilliant. My grail is to have him build me a complete Bike.

northbend 

I had another ride in store for Thursday: Crater Lake!


I started from the Highway and climbed up to the rim - that part, only 9 miles, was shared with Cars. The visitors center was open and I stopped in to see if I needed to pay admission. The ranger inside smiled and said “it’s Free while we’re still on the Winter schedule” Sweet!




Once on the rim, I ducked under the gate and rode the rim road as far as I could go.



The was no one else on the road except a few park employees and a mile or so later, I had the place to myself.



I had to turn around when I got close to the North Rim - snow covering the road.



Returning via the same route was just as nice since I had never traveled the rim in a counter clockwise direction before. Another few weeks and I bet you’ll be able to go all the way around the rim.



As it was, I had to be moving on.

northbend 

After packing the bike back in the car it was off to Sisters Oregon. I found a motel just outside of town to crash for the night.


Friday morning, I finished my little adventure by riding up McKenzie Pass.
I fueled up at the awesome Sisters Coffee shop and rode out of town just as the sun was warming up the ground, releasing the scent of the pine trees.



Again, all to myself past the gate closing off the pass to Cars for the next 11 miles.











I stopped at the Observatory and toasted my Road trip with some Napa Valley Red that I had carried along with me.




I enjoyed the long downhill ride back to town reflecting on my trip and how satisfying it all was.

I was refreshed and tired and ready to get home.



I packed away the bike for the last time and drove on home arriving Friday evening where my lovely miss Robin was waiting for me.

Bianchigirll 

Looks like a wonderful ride and sounds like you and wife had a great trip. Any more info that bike with the rod brakes?

cb400bill

Wonderful pictures! Great write up!

Thank you for posting about your trip.

northbend 

It's an old Cannondale Frankenbike put together by my nephew. He's really good at putting together distinctive bikes

guygadois 

wow, what a wonderful trip and pics!

CV-6 

Epic

Alex Moll

Thanks for the pics, Matt! I took plenty, but never thought to ask anybody to take a pic of me! Velocia happened to catch about half of me, but thankfully you captured a few good ones.

Matt also hauled my bike all the way down to Cali and back. I'm forever in his debt, but as a token of my appreciation, I will make him a custom wood display stand for his Alex Singer. A classy stand for a classy guy.

mountaindave 

Thanks for sharing! Definitely worthy of its own thread. Beautiful pictures!!

Vonruden

That is awesome! I would love one, only if you have enough. I talked with Bruce about a custom Gravel grinder about a year ago, he was very nice. I just couldn't afford a new one and I do prefer the classics. 😀. That Blue one of yours is a beauty.

poprad

Wonderful writeup/pic essay Northbend! As a "temporarily displaced" Oregonian I really loved the whole thing, but especially the shots of Crater L. and the McK pass, you have done a real service to our community by including us in your adventure. Thanks a ton, and I hope to meet you on the trail at a future Cali L'Eroica!

Oh, and if you haven't done it before, the Aufderheide route in Oregon close to the McK pass is also a world class ride. I've done it in midsummer and only seen one or two cars over the 60 plus miles of great mountain scenery.

Aufderheide Scenic Highway- Highway 19 - VisitMcKenzieRiver.com

northbend 

Wow, thanks Poprad! I will put that route on the to do list.

Peugeotlover

Thank you, northbend. Excellent job. A great treat to read & view. I have been to many of those places 40 years ago, so especially good to see again. Also, inspiring about those older guys still riding strong. Thankx!

Henry III

Great write up and photos. That whole trip would of satisfied me for the entire year if not more of what you crammed into a couple of days. Epic!

daf1009

Thank you for sharing...for those of us that, for various reasons, could not even consider the Eroica...great job of photographing and writing...wonderful to read on a rainy Sunday morning...

SoreFeet

Cool man...cool...Bruce Gordon is an alright guy...he's just a no nonsense kind of guy. I met him a few years ago...heck he even offered me a great deal on a complete bike. It was used but like new...only problem I didn't have the money...One grand his price and I thought that was pretty darn reasonable.

Next time you are near Petaluma let me know, I'll buy you a beer. Those are some great photos. What was the best vintage bike you saw on your trip?