Waves to Wine Ride 9/12-13/2008
With George, Herb, Leonard, Mel & Marilyn, Harry & Karen, Cesar & Virginia, Dennis & Christy & Robert Taylor arrived at the north end of the Golden gate bridge at six AM to escort bicycle riders on their Wave to Wine ride for (MS) from S.F. to Rohnert Park CA. The rides were 100, 75 & 40 mile rides through all back country roads & we rode along with them as support in case of break downs or any other problems, the day was beautiful & there were approximately 2000 bikes.
There were 6 rest stops on the way, the second was at Stinson beach, mile 26.2 & the fourth was at mile 55.4 at Miller boat park boat launch for lunch. Stop #6 was at Two rock Presbyterian church mile 66.0 & the final mile #77 at Sonoma Mountain Village in Rohnert Park. Each of the stops had water & all kinds of fruit & power bars, so if anyone went hungry it was their own fault. We were very lucky as most of the problems were minor, (flat tires, loose chains, stuck shifts, etc.) so most of our time at those places were just standing by in case of needed help.Our average speed was 25 mph & once in a while we even got up to 30 mph (whew).
Our final destination at Sonoma mountain Village looked like a city. It was covered with tents the size of houses with everything a rider might need including dinner. There was also an area, about ten to fifteen acres that the riders set up their own tents for the night, their tents were hauled in by truck for them. The next morning after breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage & potatos we got set for our second ride, this one was 75 miles & had four rest stops. Leaving Sonoma Mountain Village we headed north through many back roads, with our first stop at mile 16.1, Laguna school & then onto stop #2 mile 26.9 the Circle S Ranch, from there we continued through some beautiful hill country with many grape vineyards & down roads that were almost covered with trees.
Finally at mile 39.7 we stopped at Brook Haven Libby Park for lunch which was giant sandwiches & of course fresh fruit & power bars. From there we continued on north through many back roads, some so narrow that they were almost one way. We had to constantly watch out for on coming vehicles, at mile 52.5 we arrived at rest stop #3 at Wohler bridge, leaving there we traveled north on the west side of a big valley on the edge of the heavily wooded hillside. If we hadn't been so busy it would have been nice to stop & enjoy the view.
Mile 66.7 stop #4 was our last stop before our final one, it was at the Dry Creek Winery & then on to mile 74.7 at Lake Sonoma in Geyserville CA.
The dinner there was Tri Tips served by the Cattleman’s restaurant, then all the bikers there & their gear was loaded into trucks & busses & were taken back home & we got on our Motorcycles & also went home after a busy two days & are now waiting for the next event.
In friendship, HERB.