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Loop with John, February 2020
Mad Marauders Mini-Reunion: A Photographic Log
27 February 2020
In 2017, I met John from Berkeley when the Mad Marauders terrorized San Francisco.Earlier this year he spotted me while we were both riding the new bike lane on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge.
Since then we've been trying to get together for a ride, and it finally worked out today. John came up to Santa Rosa on the SMART train and I pedaled from home to meet him at the station. We intended to ride a big loop: out the Greenway, through Sebastopol, and returning on the Joe Rodota Trail. That didn't quite work, because part of the Joe was unexpectedly blocked off, but we nevertheless managed a pleasant loop.
It was great to see John, and we had a good ride in perfect weather conditions. Now we're planning an excursion in the East Bay.
PS: Zero chance of rain tomorrow and Saturday, which will mean not one single drop of precipitation in Santa Rosa during the entire month of February. First time that has happened since record-keeping began well over 100 years ago.
John came up on the SMART train.
Surly Long Haul Trucker and Surly Ogre at the visitor center by the train station, ready to roll.
At the end of the Greenway by Willowside Road.
John checks his navigational device to make sure I'm not leading him into the west county wilderness.
Up against the wall at the skate park in Sebastopol.
After watching the kids flying around, there was some discussion of tackling the skate park with our bikes.
Nah.
PS: I didn't ask, but I think John's still wearing the same shocking socks he wore in San Francisco in 2017.
Here we frighten small children, cause innocent pets to flee, and attract the attention of the Sebastopol Police Department.
Okay, I do that by myself all the time.
I led John on a big loop so we could return to Santa Rosa via the Joe Rodota Trail.
I swear the trail was reopened a couple weeks after the big encampment was cleared, but it was still sealed off at South Wright Road today, so we detoured back over to the Greenway and pedaled east.
Here's John at the Big Fish at the start of the Greenway in Santa Rosa, proof that he was here.
From the Big Fish we headed back to Railroad Square for lunch. The proprietor kindly allowed us to park our bikes inside, regaled us with long stories about his cars, and waved around the sword (no kidding) he keeps by the cash register to deter troublemakers. I reckon John will remember today's ride for that, if nothing else. Who else takes him on rides where lunchtime is punctuated by someone wielding a Civil War sword?
Summary
Date: 27 February 2020
Time: 8:30 - 1:00
Weather: 50 - 75° F, sunny
Route: Greenway to Sebastopol to Joe Rodota
Distance: 36 miles
Bike: Ogre
Riders: With John
Comments? Questions? Suggestions? I'd like to hear from you.
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