Day 18 - all that and a bag of chips

Mileage 56.74
Elevation Gain 2,992

This morning we started from the hamlet of Bodega, about 1/2 mile off Highway 1 and about 15 miles south of where we ended in Jenner the day before.  We spent the night in a hotel just off Highway 101, about 35 miles off route.  A Carl connection arranged for the lodging and we are grateful for their generosity!

This morning was a lot of rolling hills through pastures and a few dairies.  Definitely not what I expected in Northern Cal and within 75 miles of San Francisco.

We met our Canadian friends again along the route.  This time they were pedaling and not pushing their bikes up the hills.  This has been an ongoing joke on their side the last few days.  They had seen us drive by at night and said, "we are always pushing our bikes when they pass."  Well, today we got to meet them and ride with them some.  Their names are Rob and Judy and they are definitely a fun couple.  Hopefully we get to see them again as we all ride south.  Its always nice to meet friends along the way.

Today we also met a couple of ladies from Montreal who are also riding south.  Finally, we met a touring group.  They were on a 13 day adventure and were riding about 20-30 miles a day and riding 10 of the 13 days.  I had a nice conversation with one of the guides about what we are doing and have done.  When it was time for me to catch up with the rest of our team, I rode past one of the ladies in the tour group and she said, "Thanks for sharing, it is a really neat story."

Tonight we are staying with Victoria and Grant in Mill Valley.  They have a beautiful place in Mill Valley, about 7 miles from the Golden Gate Bridge.  Tomorrow we cross that icon of America.

Today, let's learn a little about bike derailleurs.  Each bike has two - one in the front and one in the back.  These work best when not under extreme pressure or force.  Ideally, one anticipates the uphill and begins shifting into the appropriate gear.  Opposite would hold for a downhill speed run when you want to let the "thing buck boys."  If you don't shift correctly, you will either Chain Suck or Chain Puke.  Suck is when the chain comes off the front chain ring towards the bike.  Puke is when the chain comes off towards the right pedal or away from the chain ring.  As our Ride continues and the bikes become more fatigued - we are experiencing more sucks and pukes.  Just like in life, you should prepare for the future (some anyhow) - when riding a bike, you should look at the road ahead and make sure you are in the correct gear.  Sucking and Puking aren't cool.

Well, time to chillax some and get my bed ready.  I think I will sleep under the stars tonight on our Hosts veranda.

Good Night all.

Eight more days until Mom rejoins our team.  We are ready to see her smile and hear her laugh again as she pushes Shannon while riding stoker on the Tandem.