Sept. 7 – Day 2….things get real!

So after reading my last post, I am sure you are saying to yourself…..hey self, this bicycle touring stuff seems fun and not that tough. That is what I was saying to myself too. Well, today was a different day…. Read on. I was up and out the door around 7:30am to ride into Sacramento for breakfast and then onward to Folsom and beyond. Crushing it! My GPS is still not working, but no matter – I would figure it out. So I started the day by riding 8 miles in the wrong direction – CRAP. That meant I had to ride 8 miles back just to be even. So 16 miles later I was back in Davis and heading out of town the right way – then my rear tire went flat. What? I have on top of the line, brand-new tires. In fact, later that day when I stopped at a bike shop to buy some new tubes, the mechanic said he had never seen a flat with that tire – just my luck, a piece of stainless steel wire had somehow flipped up and punctured the sidewall. No problem, I took off the tire and patched the tube – and I was on my way. I rode about 200 yards and my rear tire went flat again! Only this time it was my fault – I had inadvertently pinched the tube between the tire and the rim and it exploded. So… I had to start all over again, this time putting in a new tube. All of this was happening in the blazing sun as I was riding by a rice farm and there wasn’t a tree or any structure to be found. OK, flat #2 fixed – I got on my bike and rode about 50 feet… and my rear tire went flat again!!! What is the universe trying to tell me?? I stopped and took the tire off again and could find nothing wrong with the tube – I guess the valve stem didn’t seat properly or something. Anyway, I put my bike together for the third time and so far, no more flats. So onward – The cryptic maps I am using directed me to a bike trail that was to take me into Sacramento…..but I couldn’t find it! I finally found myself on a dirt road that headed towards Sacramento, so in my frustration I decided to ride it. After 4 miles or so…..it became completely flooded out and I had to return to the starting point. I had almost given up on this mysterious bike trail when I rode over to the interstate and saw that a narrow bike path had been put in right next to oncoming traffic with a concrete barrier separating me from them. The interstate was busy and it was a tough ride into Sacramento. But I got there – earlier I figured I would arrive about 9am or so…..but it was 2pm! I re-set my expectations for the day and decided to ride to Folsom, where there was a state campground next to a lake – sounded nice. I got a burrito and an agua fresca at Sals Tacos (LR is better!) and then went to the aforementioned bike shop. The guy there knew the campground and had a favorite camping spot that he offered to call and reserve for me. Things were looking up! Until he gave me the news that the campground was completely sold out. But he was optimistic that they would let a touring biker have a little spot, and the ride to Folsom was nice – 20 miles of paved bike path along the river. So I went for it. Ok, if you ever go cycling in Sacramento – beware. There are two paved bike paths, one on either side of the river. One goes to Folsom….the other goes somewhere else but mostly just goes by huge homeless encampments where you ride on until your spidey-senses tell you that this is probably not where you should be. You confirm this with a ranger who miraculously came driving by and bike back to town, across the bridge, and onto the nice path that goes to Folsom. I know you are counting – so yes, I got lost three times today. The path to Folsom is really nice, and I enjoyed the ride. But as I got nearer to Folsom and it got later and the thought of negotiating for a campsite lost its initial charm……..well, let’’s just say I am bedded down comfortably at a Marriott. I took one pic today:

That’s it. Good night! Tomorrow I climb up towards Lake Tahoe. I’ll need a good nights sleep as I face a 9,000+ foot climb. I’m having fun and haven’t lost my sense of humor!