Mid-Week Rides: Fool's Ride

Wednesday, April 1 2015

Alberto writes:

Today, Wednesday, April 1 we had a Mid-Week-Ride. On short notice, as in late last night, Chris emails:

9 am Bob Burn’s (WWWobble’s place) for Phil’s at Moss Landing. If you can go, and don’t know where Bob’s place is, ask me!

Short notice, as if this guy knew of anything else but short notice. But, I am not complaining, Chris leads the ride, he can very well set it when it pleases him! Everybody else, well, you know him, stay alert is my advise. If it is Tuesday, and you have not head of any ride already set; chances are you’ll get a short notice!

The only riders showing up, Oh surprise! Bob and Chris, besides yours truly). What we lacked in crowd we sure made up in quality attendance.

To make it easy on me, at 9:45 am we met at Bobby’s Cafe in Cupertino. Sharp, and on time we departed.

In fully organized style, Chris asked: “Where to Bob? Let me rephrase that, which way?” Bob:”well, we could head through Hicks Rd in Los Gatos toward Uvas Reservoir, cut over Watsonville to Elk-horn Slew and the coast for Phill’s at lunch.”

Soon, we were riding. No lolly-gagging for this trio.

For me this ride comes on the heels of my newly acquired riding technique compliments of WWWobble. You bet I am excited. Hicks Road, curvy and undulating proved the perfect try-out. Not a difficult ride, but enough of a challenge.

We made a stop to test Chris new camera. Yaips! this thing has a zoom lens to rival Lick’s Observatory. Took a picture of a goose and some campers half a mile away. Yes, you could see all the details¦ which I am not going to tell you!

Zig-zagging past La Fouret Restaurant, Almaden Reservoir in Almaden eventually you come to Mcean Rd toward Watsonville. The rest is simple, Elk-Horn Slew and Phil’s in Moss Landing.

Yes, it all sounds simple, but if I had been leading this troupe we would have had to make a U-turn at the sign saying Tijuana 20 miles! Let it go at that, the lead was switched between Bob and Chris only with me in the middle at all times. Safer that way.

Lunch was great. Phil’s is an eatery catering fish in all forms. Fresh and perfectly done. What did I have? Well, a salad of course!

Heading back home via the coast. Cut over at Hwy 129, West Beach Street keeping to the main road. San Andreas Rd takes you right into Seascape or Rio Del Mar.

The wind started picking up. Chris and Bob had to amend plans. Instead of going via Hwy 1 straight up, they took the Porter Ave exit and up Soquel-San Jose Rd to Santa Clara County. (Inside of me) Yes!! Another chance for technique practice. Needless to say, yours truly performed flawlessly if you are willing to overlook crossing the double yellow line by 12 feet. Nah! Just kidding. Not once!

Old San Jose Rd brought us to Hwy 17 and 85 North. Home for me, another 40 miles for my companions.