Bi-County, Tri-Bakery, Quad-Challenging Ride

It was a chilly 38 degrees as Debbie, Odessa, and I departed down Guerneville Road for our tri-bakery tour. Even with arm and leg warmers, our group was freezing as we made our way to Sebastopol via Fulton, Hall, and Sanford Roads. The climb up Occidental and Cherry Hill began to warm our peloton. As we descended, we witnessed a group of red beaked buzzards feasting on a dead fawn (poor Bambi). Our route continued back onto Occidental Road for a slow climb until a raging descent dropped us into Occidental and the Union Hotel (Bakery #1). Odessa stopped for coffee but we waited to indulge until our next stop. As the weather began to warm, we flew down Bohemian Highway through Freestone stopping at the Wildflour Bakery (Bakery #2). The three of us split a hot Fougasse (a delicious organic cheese rosemary bread) fresh out of their brick oven. Yummy! After a quick tour of the local herb garden, we continued riding by zooming through the charming town of Valley Ford. The weather heated up and we now shed our winter cycle gear. We arrived at the Marin County border, and began the taunting climb up Middle Road which lasted nearly four miles ending at Dillon Beach. This costal highway led us into the tiny town of Tomales with another rapid descent. The Tomales Bakery (Bakery #3, see photo) was teaming with cyclists from San Francisco, The Marin Cycling Club, and even a lone rider from Seattle. We arrived a bit too late to partake of their famous sticky buns, but indulged in coconut chocolate shortbread and baked nut bars. With our overstuffed bellies, we began the obnoxious climbs up Shoreline Highway, Fallon-Two Rock, and Gericke Roads. The rolling hills of Marin County were beautiful as we passed blooming flower nurseries, diary farms, newborn calves, horses, and charming ranches. We continued climbing up Canfield Road which directed us back towards Sonoma County and into Sebastopol via Pleasant Hill. The hot air continued to take its toll as we cycled downhill on Lynch Road, a bumpy back street, which led to Gravenstein Highway and onto the Joe Redota Trail. We enjoyed a leisurely pace as we gabbed and joked on the flat shady trail ride towards Santa Rosa. It was nice a nice break after a long day of steady climbing. We had a great day cycling 61 miles while visiting three bakeries in two counties. Wahoo!