)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
Reed's Run to Occidental - Is That a Camel?
On Sunday November 15 we woke up to a beautiful bright morning with crisp, cold briskness in the air. Since it was not yet 55 degrees I layered on the clothes thinking I’d freeze. Nope! Before we even left the house I peeled off the leather chaps, got on the bike and we were off. We got to the Denny’s leave point about 9:00 a.m. and there were already several others there, along with our road captain Reed, who planned out the ride to Occidental. By 9:30 there were quite a few bikes. Our newest road captain Dennis was the sweep with John M. helping out with his radio. We tooled on up 880 to the Hesperian location and there were several more bikes or so waiting. There was some excitement in the air because there was such a great turn out and the weather was totally on our side; we all just knew it was going to be wonderful ride up north!
Lisa gathered up $96 for the bridge toll for 24 bikes and we were off! We rode north on 880, over the Richmond Bridge and onto 101 North. There was a small, three car accident at one point, but we all moved over safely and smoothly without any problems at all…wonderful communication between Reed and John M. Next, we got off on Lucas Valley Road and that’s when the real fun started!
The scenery on the roads today was outstanding whether your head was turned left or right. We lucky passengers were able to enjoy much longer looks than our riders! The roads were in great shape, car traffic was super light and most of the bicycle riders were going the other way. There was a CHP officer parked on the right watching things and he waived at our group as we passed by! The fall colors were still in force with multi-color greens, yellows, oranges and reds. The rolling landscape was carpeted with green grass and cattle everywhere. John M. and I agreed: happy California cows! Before we got to the Tomales Road turn I looked to my left and saw something in a corner of a field. “That’s too odd looking to be hay bales or a big mound of dirt.” I thought to myself. Then, ‘it’ lifted up its head slowly and I knew that was too weird to be a llama or a horse. A camel! Just when I realized it was a camel it lifted up its head again and yep, a camel! Out there for gosh sakes! The exclamation on the radio went something like this, “Look! A camel” (that was me and pointing to my left); “A camel!!” (that was Barb); and John M. (I think) said very officially, “That’s a Dromedary camel. It has two humps” Oh. But, come on! A camel! I’ve no idea why, but somehow seeing that camel fit perfectly with what was turning out to be a spectacular ride with a great group of riders!
We had one pit stop and I think that was in Nicasio and then we were off again to Occidental. Next thing I knew we were at the destination, Howard Station Café. How did that happen? We were at ride’s end already?! Dang it.
I thought the food was pretty good with very friendly service considering how busy it was. The place was packed and we were scattered throughout in the seating area so some of us got our meals ahead of others. After awhile I did see some contented faces and then lunch was over. Time to go. Back home. Traffic, cars, people. Sigh.
Usually I take pictures on the ride and pay attention to where I’m at, but I didn’t today. I just wanted to enjoy myself, have fun and take in the scenery. Big mistake, though. How else will the rest of you believe us that we saw that camel?!
