Birthdays, Bakeries, and Beauty!

Leslie, Rich, Marc, Len, and I met early this morning at Aroma Roasters to cycle through the West County and Marin. We began the day with a birthday song, candles, and cake for Rich (Happy Birthday, buddy). We navigated around the downtown construction, hopping on the Joe Rodota Trail out towards Sebastopol. It was a crisp morning and the path was crowded with weekend cyclists. Les and Rich peeled off from the group to pursue some birthday festivities. The rest of us cycled to Coffee Catz for a bathroom break and continued on the trail until downtown Graton. After refreshing at the Willow Wood Café, we were ready for our first climb of the day. We did the SRCC “speed-trap” beginning at Ross Road and ending at Tanuda/Facendini Junction up Graton Road. After a cool descent, we arrived in downtown Occidental only to find the Union Hotel Bakery closed, so we zoomed down the Bohemian Highway into Freestone, where we stopped for monster sticky buns and refreshments. These huge pastries must have weighed 3 pounds each. However, Len and I diligently completed the task of devouring a complete pastry between the two of us. Marc modestly sucked down a huge double chocolate scone (see photo). With our bellies full, we continued on, crossing the Marin County line admiring the beautiful landscapes, rolling hills, and an abundance of cows. I unsuccessfully tried to seduce the cows with loud “moos”. Finally, the weather started to warm up and we conquered the hills of Franklin School and Whittaker Bluff Roads. We made our way to Highway 1 and climbed into Sebastopol via Bloomfield Road. We passed several SRCC cyclists also doing a West County ride, chatting with their Peloton members as we parted company at Pleasant Hill Road. We continued through downtown Sebastopol merging via Highway 116 making our way back east to the Joe Rodota Trail. As we arrived back into Santa Rosa’s Railroad Square, we wished Marc the best as this was one of his last Sonoma County rides (boo-hoo). We’re going to miss you and we’ll remember today’s exuberant ride cycling nearly 60 miles in beautiful Northern California.