RIde for Rehab

Day 1- Sausalito to Davis, California

In less than 24 hours I have been reminded of the first five of the major rules of bicycle touring. #1- count on any map you are using to be inaccurate, outdated, and short or usually long on distance.. After leaving Vallejo with some folks from Kaiser Permanente Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, after a very warm welcome, we proceeded to get lost no less than half a dozen times. All total about 4-5 extra miles of riding. #2- be weary of any directions people give you. Every person said “It is only about 2 miles” and my now, personal favorite “You can’t miss it” Somehow we still missed a lot of can’t misses. #3 There is always some construction you will have to go around to lengthen the trip. #4- carrying your gear in panniers ( saddlebags) significantly increases the weight you are carrying (30+ pounds in my bags- too many adapters and chargers) and although it did not feel terrible training in Chicago, I am currently not riding in Chicago. Out west they have things called hills and bigger things called mountains that significantly increase the challenge ( I didn’t quite think about that). #5 Don’t assume that because you are staying in a big college town there will be plenty of hotel rooms. A small detail I forgot to check- it was graduation week at Davis. Add 3 miles to find a hotel room outside of town.

After leaving the ferry in Sausalito for SF and then Vallejo, Jerome Schofferman, my cycling cohort for the week, took off with three PM&R staff from Vallejo for the ride to Davis. Long, hard day. Next time, more training on real hills with the additional weight.


Day 2 – Davis to Placerville

More up and down hills with additional weight. Rule #6- you need to charge the sophisticated GPS/odometer gadget to work more than one day at a time. Ran into more construction- add 5 extra miles. This time ended up driving on newly laid hot tar that spit chunks on to our tires. Very pretty along American River Trail. More bad directions- add three miles.
After arriving in Placerville and riding around for an hour, totally beat, we finally called a cab to take us to the hotel which turned out to be two blocks away. Met Mike the Beast from Sacrammento who is training for a 1200 km in less than 80 hour ride. I feel like such a light weight. Placerville is pretty old mining town.

Day 3- Placerville to South Lake Tahoe

Started up the hill ( 45 miles all up hill ) and hitched a ride part way up with a young kid in a truck. Very smart move ( remember rule 4- the one about the panniers, hills and mountains.) Stopped at a spa owned by a former Vegas pit boss who had lots of stories to tell. Actually, it seems like everyone we meet has lots of stories to tell.

Day 4- South Lake Tahoe to Carson City

Nice climb, big downhill to Carson City. Stopped at the Nevada museum- guns and slot machines were the highlight. Also stopped at the oldest continually running bar in Nevada. 10 AM and the regulars were all starting to show up.

Day 5 – Carson City to Fallon

Had lunch at a Casino/restaurant in the middle of nowhere ( which is where most of Nevada is) . Lots of dessert. Suzy, a friend from Chicago, arrived today, to help as the sag wagon for the next week across Nevada. Saw Oceans 13 in the local theatre.

Day 6- Fallon to Middlegate Station ( not really a city)

Breakfast in the casino at 7 AM Half a dozen people were already there on the slots and drinking beer, most senior citizens ( this was Sunday AM). Went through more dessert to Middlegate Station.Slightly smaller than your average drive thru Macdonalds
Motel, so to speak, is a trailer divided into four rooms, two out houses also.