Mid-Week Rides: First ride of 2012

16 Feb 2012

Chris writes:

Three met for this short-notice MWR at the Dip Sea Cafe in Mill Valley, wwwobble (Bob Burns), Joe Steiner and Chris Weld. Bob led us up Hwy#1 for the Panoramic Hwy and back into the Hwy#1 at Stinson Beach but not before a turn-out that gave a fantastic view of Stinson Beach with the Bolinas Lagoon and Bolinas in the background. Joe had never been to Bolinas so it was quickly put into the schedule. Bolinas is not 100 yards from Stinson Beach the way the crow fly’s but the motorist has to go over 8 miles (around the lagoon). After seal and bird watching we left Bolinas for Horseshoe Road and back to Hwy #1 NB at Dogtown. At Olema we took the Bear Valley Rd, stopping at the GGNRA visitor center to orientate Joe.

We cruised through Pt. Reyes Station and onward for Marshall where we ducked-up the Marshall Petaluma Road stopping at the old truck for Joe to photograph. Some idiot got off his motor here, having thought he’d successfully deployed the sidestand, stepped away from his motor which promptly fell-over. Duh! Mea Culpa. Wilson Hill Road was next followed by a turn west on Cheleno Valley. We dropped down into Tomales Bay (the town), but only to turn west for Dillon Beach and lunch.

Joe needed petrol and I recall having purchased same in Valley Ford but upon arrival was informed they hadn’t had gas for fifteen years! Oh well! You can’t go back. Nearest gas? Bodega Bay. Joe made Bodega Bay just fine, but his Honda Shadow doesn’t hold even 3 gallons. Coleman Valley? Joe’d never heard of same - a fact that sealed the deal so to speak.

Coleman Valley took us into Occidental and we rode right through for Gratton Road and a hook-up with Hwy# 116 through Sebastopol and on to Stoney Point Rd, past the Washoe House (est 1859) and onto Hwy #101 SB just north of Petaluama. Hwy #101 took us all home though we did get sparated on the Waldo Grade in Sausalito. It was a great ride, Chris did 207 miles local gas station and back to local gas.