YOSEMITE OR BUST

Day 1 – The Tortoise and the Hare

Early one morning on a Saturday in May  – 19 riders rolled out of Castro Valley, heading east over the Dublin Grade.  By the time we were skirting the southern edge of Pleasanton, riders had migrated into two main groups, and the faster 'Hares' were long gone.  Meanwhile, us Tortoises were pedaling our way across Vineyard Ave to Livermore, and then up Tesla Rd, over the top and down the steep and windy Corral Hollow Rd, past Carnegie SVRA, http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1172. 

That is where my first adventure occurred, when I stopped for a natural break.  I spotted a clump of trees that looked to provide ample cover, and started to do my business when I looked down and staring back as me was the local residents of that particular tree hollow.

I am always amazed at how fast my legs can transport me away from a rattlesnake, I was 10 ft away in a split second.  Needless to say, this got my adrenaline going – and with that and the wind at my back, the remaining miles into the first rest-stop in Tracy rolled by easily. Note to self – be a bit more cautious, especially when you keep riding past dead snakes on the road, or notice snakes being carried off by vultures.

After a rest-stop in Tracy, we continued pedaling until we rolled into Ripon for tasty lunch prepared by our fabulous catering and SAG crew.  Then it was onward, across the valley, through the orchards to the cheese factory just outside of Oakdale, http://www.oakdalecheese.com/.  We munched grilled Gouda cheese sandwiches and watched Dennis demonstrating a cement chamois.

Beyond the Cheese Factory, we followed the river along Rodden and Orange Blossom roads, admiring some of the huge homes and enjoying the rollers as we approached Knight’s Ferry, where we stop for ICE CREAM at the Knight’s Ferry Creamery.  To my mind, this is the highlight of the first day. 

 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Knights-Ferry-Creamery-and-Sweets/108839115853923.

After Knight’s Ferry many of the riders continued on the last 20+ miles to the big house where we were staying.  Others, including me, opted to SAG the last stretch (why not, after 110 miles).

Our accommodation was a big house up in the hills above Jamestown.  While the riders sat around downing beers, spirits, and devouring various munchies (and getting a massage from Katy), Cheryl, Leslie and the rest of the SAG crew fixed a fabulous dinner, and before too long most folks were horizontal, covering much of the flat surface in the house (note, there was a distinct absence of snoring, despite bodies all over the floor).

Day 2 - Hares and Hounds

For the second day of the ride, we reformulated the roles of the riders, and the tortoises from Day 1 became the hares of Day 2 and left at 7:30 am, while the hares from Day 1 became hounds, leaving an hour later, figuring to catch us slower types somewhere around Priest Grade.

We took a great route from the house to Moccasin at the base of Priest Grade, that followed Campo Seco, Algerine and Jacksonville roads, riding along the East side of Don Pedro Reservoir.

Here is a link to the route (Jamestown to Yosemite)

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/503743459

Everyone knows that New Priest Grade is a long, arduous climb, and that Old Priest Grade is a bit shorter, but way STEEPER, and well beyond arduous!  The Hares took New Priest Grade while many of the Hounds came up Old Priest.  Moreover, Tim took the Hare and Hound thing to heart, abandoned his bike at the bottom of Old Priest Grade, and ran up that road passing several cyclists to boot (his bike was shuttled to the top).  IMPRESSIVE!

After Priest Grade the climbs just keep on coming. We stopped in Groveland for a cappuccino and to admire Howard’s new look.  He encountered a bee somewhere along the way and had a fat lip to prove it.

From Groveland to the Park Entrance is a tough ride, but with many rewards. We rode through the extensive burned area of the Rim fire, saw meadows of wildflowers including Indian pinks and globe lilies, several deer and unrivaled scenery.  Lunch was just before the park entrance,

From the Park Entrance to Crane Flat the road just continues to go up.  Pam, Larry and I, slogged up the highway together, mile after mile, feeling like Frank Zappa slogging across the tundra, mile after mile, thinking up silly songs. Finally, and certainly not too soon we reached Crane Flat, and stopped at Merced Grove where Pam chatted up a Park Ranger.  He asked about our group, who we were, where did we ride from, etc.  Turned out that he and several other Rangers were watching out for us along the way (thanks guys!)

After Crane Flat comes the long (11 mile) exhilarating descent into that beautiful valley! I just let the bike go, not worrying too much about cars, as I was breaking the speed limit much of the time.  Larry and I got ahead of Pam, so we stopped halfway down, just before the tunnels, and watched some eagles riding the thermals while we waited.  After a bit, Pam, Howard and Barb came along, as did Leslie in the SAG, and she kindly escorted us through the tunnels. Other riders weren’t so lucky and I heard some stories of some unnecessarily thrilling rides through the tunnels.
The ride concludes with 6 miles of easy riding along the valley floor.  Waterfalls, El Capitan, the clear Merced River, and finally Curry Village at the base of Half Dome!

After a shower we gathered for a feast - filet mignon, sea  bass, corn on the cob, etc.    Our Fearless Leader made a brief presentation congratulating everyone on a job well done, giving us some history of the ride, how it has evolved over 25 years

Epilogue

The next morning we split into 3 groups, those riding to Merced on Tuesday, those doing a day hike before heading out, those heading home directly.  I was in the latter group and on the way back, driving through Tracy, the wind was very strong and my bike nearly came off the roof rack, and as Dennis aptly put it, St. Eelman suffered a broken ankle.  My Lamborghini blue bike got the name St. Eelman from some unknown rider who passed me by a couple of years ago, and commented that he wasn’t familiar with that particular make of bike.  I happened to be riding with gearhead Dennis, who just cracked up.  We told the fellow that it was pronounced ‘Steelman’, a bike builder in the South Bay.

Back to the broken ankle, basically, one side of the fork was bent, as the bike did not come completely out of the rack (phew!). So, I took my blue baby down to Steelman and he straightened the fork.  It is a treat to see this guy work. 

He quickly, but carefully took the fork off, then put it in a vise for an initial rough straightening.  Next, he put it onto a 'fork alignment fixture' and found it needed a bit more tweaking.  He puts it into another vise, pulls out 2 fork straightening handles that clamp into each wheel dropout.  These handles are set up to fit precisely together when the fork is properly aligned.  He tweaks the alignment some more, until it suits him, then puts the fork back into the fixture just to check it one more time.  

Then it goes back on the bike.  He reassembles everything to proper alignment and tightness, and as he gives it back to me says 'Good as new'!

All for 20 bucks! 

Check him out on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/steelmancycles

So, I am ready to roll.