The Great Weekday Escape!

Jim Finn, a critical care physician & anesthesiologist, met me at Aroma Roasters for a Wednesday cycling trek out to Marin County. Jim proudly demonstrated his handlebar mounted Garmin eTrex Vista Cx GPS along with a sophisticated heart rate monitor/fitness computer. Taking advantage of this beautiful crisp fall day, we began our ride westward on the Joe Rodota Trail towards Sebastopol. We navigated through the weekday traffic downtown, past Analy High School and onto Occidental, Mill Station, and Sullivan Roads. We began the steep climb up Graton Road. Jim was a trouper working his double crank-set up the hill. We rested briefly at Tenuda to catch our breath and re-hydrate before rapidly descending into Occidental. After a refreshment stop at the Union Hotel, we zoomed down the shaded cold Bohemian Highway descent towards Freestone. We passed the closed Wildflour Bakery (how sad) and continued onto Bodega Highway toward Valley Ford. After passing through this quaint town, we crossed into Marin County, admiring the beautiful landscapes, rolling hills, blue skies, and an abundance of sheep (there were hundreds). We continued the journey proceeding to ascend Franklin School, Whittaker Bluff, and the Highway 1 hills. Throughout the ride Jim would reference his Garmin handlebar mounted electronics announcing the current climbing grades, calories burned, geographic location, heart-rate, and elevations. It was like riding with a personal cycling Sherpa. So, I think we’ll dub him “GarMan” (after all his Garmin brand onboard toys). We rode past the Marin County line (see photo) in the direction of Bloomfield. Making our way towards Sebastopol, we navigated traffic on the nagging grades of Bloomfield and Pleasant Hill Roads ending with a killer descent down Highway 116. We cycled onto Main Street before traveling east on the Joe Rodota trail. The weather was absolutely perfect. Upon our arrival in Santa Rosa’s Railroad Square, we stopped at the Flying Goat outdoor café for some delicious high-protein muffins, people watching, and great conversation. We had a fulfilling day cycling 56 miles while enjoying beautiful Northern California. Wahoo!