Day 2 - Vallejo to Sacramento, CA

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Day 2 – Vallejo CA to Sacramento CA, 71 miles, 1100 feet of climb, max speed 41mph

We had breakfast at Denny's after three big climbs and a scream down a 12% hill (with a stoplight at the bottom). The meals are wonderful because you get to hear other persons' stories! This morning I ate with the Dutch and had a wonderful time. They were a little surprised that root beer isn't beer yesterday.

We crossed our first real ridge line today; all rode up without stopping with the help of a huge tail wind blowing up canyon. Our guides got upset at us for bunching up and going so fast - the average was around 21 mph as we took on the farms of every kind in the California Central Valley. PS: The earthquake damage isn't fixed completely on the back roads. Oh my, some of the cracks could swallow Vermont. (I was glad we were commanded to slow down. I didn't want to be last place again or left behind and hope to follow the queue sheet correctly. I arrived well behind again today, but two hours ahead of schedule.) I did not help that we stopped at the Jelly Belly factory. After samples there, our pack of riders picked up the pace even more. There is a lot of excitement and passion in the group, and way too much sugar.

There were a lot of surprises today. We passed 6 Flags (which was next to the Budweiser plant), UC-Davis looked full of students even if in summer session, and then lunch at the In-and-Out Burger joint. We loved talking to a lot of curious people there. The one place I could call vacation was the rest stop at the depot in Dixon, CA. What wonderful folks there. They took pictures for their community newspaper. I am surprised they didn't have a parade too. Lovely folks. The lowlight of the day was when we had to take a long bridge adjacent the interstate today. It was about 4 miles long over several dry river beds. The route was so noisy, fumes, and dust throuwn at you from all the traffic. That is a bad omen for things to come. Note to self: Wear ear plugs on our interstate days.

Today is a personal milestone. 40 years ago today I was commissioned in the US Army. The army has certainly been good to me. We have a Marine riding with us that insists his first name is Sergeant. I told him I was retired military. He asked me retired rank, I told him, and now I am 'Come on Colonel, catch up!" This is quite embarrassing, but now over. I am already humbled by my inability to keep up with these old guys. Oh well, he only stated the obvious.

Bottom Line: The Europeans called today a "Biker's Holiday". Great riding, great weather, and a great tail wind!