CA Coast & Wine Country

We arrived the day before the start of the bike tour but our luggage did not.  We barely made our flight in Oklahoma City because of one snafu after another. There were very long lines due to a football team traveling that both Southwest and airport security seemed totally unprepared for. We only made the flight because we were able to jump about 25 spaces up in front of some of the team in the line at security. Since their flight wasn’t leaving until nearly 3:00pm and our flight was leaving with or without us in less than thirty minutes they graciously let us move ahead.

Too bad our luggage couldn’t strike a similar deal.

We were gleeful when we got on board feeling smug that we had indeed made our flight! Still gleeful when we deplaned until we watched the last dregs of bags go around the carousel with no sign of our 4 bags. Sigh. Off we went to the Southwest luggage claim office or whatever they call themselves then to the bar to wait until the next flight from Denver where our bags might possibly be.

They didn’t know where our bags were because Southwest it turns out doesn’t actually scan the bags in. They have those nifty little barcodes on the tags they put on each piece of checked luggage but it’s all for show, they don’t actually scan them. Please don’t tell that to any terrorists you might know.

Dejected, but hopeful (there were 2 flights remaining that the bags could be on) we decided to go on to the hotel. The drive to the hotel in Petaluma was more exciting than the flight and I think approached similar speeds once we were out of San Francisco. The driver told us a few stories of others who had lost luggage and showed us how you can corner on two wheels in a big Chevy Suburban if you simply go fast enough. Who knew.

Once we got to the hotel and took our complimentary toothbrush and paste up to our room we got online with our trusty smartphones and Mark started calling. The calls weren’t answered or returned so Mark pulled out the big gun: the fax. Yes folks, he can fax from his phone. Consider yourself warned.

It seems Southwest is one of the best at losing luggage, but fortunately for all of us, 98% makes it to its rightful owner. Thankfully we were in that majority. Our bags and breakfast all arrived at our door just after 7am – such excitement! Fed and dressed we went down to meet our fellow bike travelers in the lobby. There were 14 of us, plus our two guides, Mike and Neal.

This is our second group bike tour and like last year we lucked out with great people and great guides. We also got a nice day bag filled with everything you could possibly need on a bike tour and yes, I have a picture!

One of the things that attracted us to Undiscovered Country tours was the type of bikes used, Scotts. I ride a 2005 Scott CR1 Pro and on this tour I rode a 2010 Scott CR1 Pro. The nicest bikes I have seen on any tour, a big plus for us.

Once we had our bike, bottles filled and gels and bars, plus the day’s route sheet we were off! We were in the countryside before too long, rolling and bumping along until we stopped for lunch at the Willow Wood Market. Lunch was wonderful and as usual we ate like there was no tomorrow or dinner. Shared a wonderful gingerbread with two of my new Canadian friends Marla and Barb and helped Mark with his mixed berry crisp. After a cappuccino I was able to waddle back to my bike and ride. Not only was it a big lunch but a long one too, not good for the legs. Tomorrow I assured myself I would do better.

The scenery changed to farms and vineyards, it was lovely. The road smoothed out somewhat which helped after that monster lunch. It was wonderful to be on a bike riding along backroads, surrounded by nature with nothing on the horizon for the week but biking, eating, drinking and having fun. We were up to the task.

Getting here wasn’t easy, but today was a perfect day of bike riding.  Any day you can ride along scenic roads is a perfect day for biking and today was.

Petaluma to Healdsburg – 42 miles in 3:14 on the bike. This trip is all about going slow and taking everything in – we hope to go even slower tomorrow. Shouldn’t be a problem, the route gets hillier as we go. Will probably be slowed to a crawl by day 4, King Ridge road day.

*** I didn’t end up with as many good shots as I would like but as I get pictures from others on the tour and UDC too, I will add them and note who took the picture.

  Data: 41.79 miles, 12.9 mph, 1,982 ft up, 1900 ft down, 114 AHR, 150 MHR.