Our final day together dawned overcast and cool, but fortunately no rain.  We woke to some sad news – one of our Amazon sisters in the UK, Jane Walker, lost her battle with breast cancer and passed away early that morning.  Our ride had been dedicated to Jane this year as she had hoped to join us on the road in California, but it wasn’t to be.  We knew that day as we rode we had an angel there beside us.

Our day started with a stop just down the road at Michael’s Harley-Davidson where we had a few adjustments made to Nancy’s new bike, and our last HD shopping expedition.

Then on the road and off towards Sonoma.  The weather started to improve with blue sky peeking through, and we hit some beautiful curves through the hills as we headed to Sonoma town.  We parked as a group and headed around the stores and cafes for a quick lunch before the final stage of our journey.  Some friends of Nancy’s came out to meet us and we had some great coffee and brunch together.

We rode out of Sonoma in formation for our final stop at the Marin Headlands with Mercedes riding on the back of Gigi’s bike.  The group was tight and moved in perfect formation as we swept on to the 101 Freeway towards the city.  Then the magic moment happened as we rounded a bend and saw the city and the Golden Gate Bridge shining in sunshine with no fog – a beautiful and rare clear day.

As we rode the narrow twisty road up the headlands we had beautiful views of the bridge, and our entrance was captured by documentary maker, Ann Meredith, who had come out to film our triumphant finish.

We parked at the top and shared some emotional hugs, as well as a rousing rendition of “I will survive”.  Pippi (Linnea) from last year’s ride was waiting there to meet us and it was great to share this moment with her and Rhonda who had driven her truck as a second sweep again today.  A perfect backdrop for the end of a perfect ride. 

For our final leg to the finish and our friends and family at Crissy Field, Ann Meredith rode in the back of her truck filming the group as we rode across the Golden Gate bridge.  We all cried in our helmets and rode slow to enjoy every last breathtaking minute.

Down in Crissy Field we rode past Gene and his waiting semi-trailer from Harley-Davidson, and straight towards our family and friends waiting underneath an Amazon Heart banner, cheering and waving.  A brilliant finish.

Our final group photo was our own enactment of “The Right Stuff” – our group of eleven walking in formation, swinging our helmets in our hands with the Golden Gate bridge in the background.

The bond between this group is so strong and the goodbyes were all tearful.  Another amazing Amazon Heart life changing adventure, and another group of sisters in our global family.


Riding through Sonoma County


Leaving Sonoma




Enjoying the view of San Francisco


Ann Meredith documents the day


Marin Headlands


Riding over the Golden Gate Bridge


Mercedes celebrates the ride over the bridge


Is that Meredith riding pillion (bitch) in a pink helmet????


Joan refuses to give up the keys to her Dyna to Gene


Celebration at Crissy Field


The Right Stuff