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Estero, July 2018
Searching for the ocean: A Photographic Log
16 July 2018, 31 miles
The forecast called for another hot summer day in Santa Rosa. The best way to beat the heat is to head for the coast, where it's usually 20 or 30 degrees cooler. Last week I pedaled out to Two Rock and Chileno Valley. Today I drove to Two Rock and parked at the church, putting me close to the coast and in a position to explore narrow west county roads while looking for a route to the bluffs above the Pacific Ocean south of Valley Ford.The county roads always end before reaching the ocean, transforming into ranch roads which are usually gated and marked as "private property" and "no trespassing." But I figured there might be a way to get through. Perhaps I would encounter a friendly rancher and be granted permission to ride to the water.
In the event, that didn't quite work out as I hoped, but I enjoyed ducking under the thick marine layer, riding up and down the coastal hills, and exploring some out of the way places along the coast.
PS: California law theoretically guarantees public access to the ocean, but between Bodega Bay and Dillon Beach there seems to be no way to get through private property and "no trespassing" signs to the bluffs and pocket beaches. Next time I might need to captain a tandem with an attorney as my stoker. Or Jeff. He can sweet talk anyone into anything.
This old barn at Twister Hill Ranch on Fallon-Two Rock Road should qualify for the Cycle365 Challenge of the Month for July.
Very windy today, with a headwind to begin with.
After a steep climb up Middle Road, this view looks down from the summit.
As soon as my heart rate drops out of the red zone, I'll zoom downhill to Valley Ford.
Welcome to Valley Ford.
For southbound riders on Highway 1 on the Pacific Coast route, Valley Ford is the next town after Bodega Bay, slightly inland.
The Valley Ford Market.
Cafe in Valley Ford.
I think Dinucci's has gone out of business.
Addendum: Apparently still open five days per week for dinner, but looking pretty sad.
Outside Valley Ford, the Ogre pauses on Valley Ford Estero Road at the Estero Americano.
The Pacific Ocean is about a mile or two beyond the buildings. I'm going to look for a ranch road that will take me to the shore.
The snake and I agreed to share the road with each other.
On the other hand, as I started up Estero Road, a couple of guys working nearby yelled at me and tried to prevent me from continuing. When I insisted it was a public road, they assured me at the top of the hill it became a private driveway, and "there ain't nothing up there." I told them I'd ride up to the top, then turn around, and they grudgingly went back to work. So much for friendly ranchers.
It was a damn steep climb up into the wind coming off the ocean. The county road ended under the thick marine layer at the top of the hill, and I found only this sign. As expected, all the ranch roads are blocked, so I couldn't quite get through to the ocean south of Valley Ford.
Not sure what a "biosecure area" is, but I turned around.
Before I started back down the hill, I snapped this view toward the northeast. Mount St Helena is visible in the distance on the far side of Sonoma County, 30 miles away in a straight line.
This also shows how the thick marine layer shrouds the coastline this afternoon, as it often does this time of year. Much cooler here.
On Marsh Road along the Estero Americano, looking toward Valley Ford.
Back on Highway 1 near Valley Ford, I encountered southbound Matt.
He started in Portland ten days ago, and has almost reached his home in San Francisco.
Matt turned south on Highway 1. I continued east on Valley Ford Road toward Petaluma, then turned south on narrow, quiet Gericke Road for a stiff climb, then down to Fallon-Two Rock Road.
Stopped for a photo at the top. What's that on the Ogre's saddle?
Road find at the summit of Gericke Road. A miniature bottle of Jim Beam. Already empty.
Farther east on Fallon-Two Rock Road.
It's easy to see where the road crosses from the smooth surface in Marin County to the patchy, scabby surface in Sonoma County.
The wind gave me a big boost on the way back to Two Rock.
Scene of the crime.
Summary
Date: 16 July 2018
Time: 12:00 - 3:30
Weather: 65° F, sunny, windy; but at least 10 degrees cooler under the marine layer
Route: Two Rock, Fallon, Valley Ford, Estero Road, Marsh Road, Gericke Road, Two Rock
Distance: 31 miles with 1300 feet of climbing
Bike: Surly Ogre
Riders: Solo
Comments? Questions? Suggestions? I'd like to hear from you.
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