Day Eight - Benicia to Konocti
This morning was cool and overcast as we loaded the vans and briefed to head on the next stage of our journey. The traffic was light as we took a short stretch down the freeway and cut over to our first stop of the morning - Vallejo Harley-Davidson.
The friendly crowd at Vallejo put on a hot breakfast and some great shopping specials, and we met up with two past riders - Stitch and Gail - from previous US and Australian rides.
Back on the bikes and heading north up into wine country, the clouds cleared to another spectacular blue sky as we headed up the Silverado Trail, past vineyards, rolling hills, patches of forest, and impressive winery cellar doors.
After 30 miles of beautiful riding, we rolled into Calistoga to our lunch stop - a fantastic southern BBQ joint. The Australians, who pride themselves on being BBQ fanatics, had never seen real southern BBQ before, particularly the outdoor roasting racks. The food was absolutely fantastic, and the stop gave us some breathing space to review the route for our next two days.
We found out earlier this week that our planned arrival in San Francisco would coincide with Fleet Week, and several million people are expected to converge on our planned finish spot - Crissy Field next to the Golden Gate Bridge.
The traffic is expected to be so bad, we doubt we will be able to get the bikes in over the Bridge, and we are sure non or our family and friends will be able to get there to meet us.
We have decided to change the last two days of the route, and our last night hotel to avoid the crowds. We will ride into San Francisco on Friday, across the Bridge then back again to stay overnight in San Rafael. Then on Saturday we will ride across to the East Bay to avoid the traffic and finish our ride at the expected time of 2 - 2:30 pm at McGuire's Harley-Davidson in Walnut Creek.
Once we had finished making our plans, and our delicious BBQ, it was back on the bikes and heading north to Clear Lake. The roads and scenery were stunning with sweeping curves and quick riding for 30 miles to our final destination - Konocti Harbor Resort and Spa.
The local paper had run a story on our ride the day before so we had lots of waves and smiles from the locals on our way, and a terrific reception from Vikki and the staff at the resort, as well as local breast cancer survivors and supporters who came out to greet us with pink balloons, cookies and chocolate!
The resort is a stunning lakeside location - several of the group headed off for massages, while the rest swam in the warm pool or relaxed by the waterside. Meredith even managed an half hour ride on a jetski (wave runner) across the calm waters of the lake.
A terrific dinner at the resort that night and then off to bed to rest before tomorrow's big ride across the Golden Gate Bridge!
love the way you gals come together to support one another. pity guys aren't so organized. love the bikes. keep the rubber side down
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and if everything in the world came together as it should, some of you all, should have copped a ride with the blue angles.. now that is a visual
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Hi lou,
Have been keeping up with you gals, the trip looks awesome and wish you luck and love for the rest of the journey. Have a great time and cant wait to hear all the stories when you return. Am learning to make Mojito's so we can discuss events over a couple.
Keep on riding honey. Enjoy, love and live. Cuddles and kisses. Lizzy xxxxx
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Hey Denise & New Bikey Friends!
Hope you guys haven't been causing too many problems over there! Ie running people off the roads... because that's sooo your style!!
Been keeping track of the photos. They look absolutely amazing! Esp the California coast!
I hear you're riding into to San Fran this morning. I know how much you love the city. Feels a little different 'riding' over the golden gate bridge on a harley rather than a push bike i can imagine.
Anyways hope the rest of the trip is as AWESOME as the first half! looking forward to matching the stories up with the photos when you get home
Best wishes
Tank.
ps
hi mum love you lots!
Mui xxx
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Thanks for the update, Denise, great to see that you are having a great time. Well done everyone, what a fantastic thing to be doing!
Mary
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