Day 5 - Dinosaurs & Dining
Although we still had 4 full days of vacation plus Monday to drive home, Thursday morning was our "sad" day. Every vacation has it, the day you realize it is almost over and spend some time being sad and wishing you were retired. Usually it hits me before the halfway mark, I sulk for a few minutes and then figure out how to cram even more into the remaining days. On the other hand, Terry waits until a day or two out and gets a little grumpy thinking about the drive/flight home.
Twitter proves I had my 1st thoughts of "sad" on Tuesday the 14th, but Thursday was our transition day and we both were feeling it. We only had 1 more day left in Sonoma County before dedicating the next 3 days to the Amgen Tour of California. How would we cycle all the remaining routes, eat at all the recommended restaurants, do more wine tasting, and visit a Market at least one more time?
I chose a route near the cottage that I had found by scoping out some locals on Strava. We loaded up the car and parked in the lot where we had eaten the night before in Glen Ellen. Another free day made it 3 days paid to 3 days not, and it felt good to break even.
Today's ride included a handful of loops starting with Sonoma Mountain Rd to Enterprise then down Bennett Valley to Warm Springs. Then we headed out to Adobe Canyon for a fantastic climb and took the long loop back on Lawndale and Schultz before hitting Warm Springs again. I had one more loop planned, but by the time we finished riding the rough Sonoma County roads, our bodies were crying uncle.
Looking back, riding Sonoma County every other day with smoother roads in between was probably the best strategy, but maybe we should have done all the rough rides first. Guess we'll just have to go back next year.
We changed and walked to the Chocolate Shop to do a Tasting and fill up our water bottles. Before going back to the cottage to watch Stage 5 of the Tour of California, we also indulged in smoothies at the Glen Ellen Market. There is something about us and Markets when on vacation, I think we visited one every single day. On European trips, we usually visit twice a day.
Stage 5 finished in Avila Beach where we vacationed Christmas 2011 so it was thrilling to watch Jens Voigt win on a solo attack right in front of our hotel. Even more exciting was knowing that in less than 24hrs we would be at Stage 6. And at that moment in front of the TV watching Jens talk about his race, we had no idea that he would suck both our wheels and take a picture with me, but you'll have to wait for Day 7 to hear more on that!
We had checked off a ride, the Market, chocolate, and the Tour, so took showers then went to the wine tasting building on property to check things out. The monthly band blend music night had started so we mingled a bit but didn't feel like staying, so headed to Cafe Citti for an early dinner.
If you've never experienced a bike race, I highly recommend it. Even better is to attend on your bicycle by riding the course or to the course. To do this, it takes some planning but we were prepared and packed quickly. Then off to bed since the alarm was set for 5am. Although vacation was winding down, the Tour was why we were here and we were ready to be a part of it!
Day 7 - AToC TT : Women & Jens
Although we still had 4 full days of vacation plus Monday to drive home, Thursday morning was our "sad" day. Every vacation has it, the day you realize it is almost over and spend some time being sad and wishing you were retired. Usually it hits me before the halfway mark, I sulk for a few minutes and then figure out how to cram even more into the remaining days. On the other hand, Terry waits until a day or two out and gets a little grumpy thinking about the drive/flight home.
Twitter proves I had my 1st thoughts of "sad" on Tuesday the 14th, but Thursday was our transition day and we both were feeling it. We only had 1 more day left in Sonoma County before dedicating the next 3 days to the Amgen Tour of California. How would we cycle all the remaining routes, eat at all the recommended restaurants, do more wine tasting, and visit a Market at least one more time?
 |
| Another day riding in the vineyards? Okay, twist my arm. |
I chose a route near the cottage that I had found by scoping out some locals on Strava. We loaded up the car and parked in the lot where we had eaten the night before in Glen Ellen. Another free day made it 3 days paid to 3 days not, and it felt good to break even.
 |
| Proof that it's not all vineyards in Sonoma County, but still a moving postcard |
Today's ride included a handful of loops starting with Sonoma Mountain Rd to Enterprise then down Bennett Valley to Warm Springs. Then we headed out to Adobe Canyon for a fantastic climb and took the long loop back on Lawndale and Schultz before hitting Warm Springs again. I had one more loop planned, but by the time we finished riding the rough Sonoma County roads, our bodies were crying uncle.
 |
| Had to stop on Enterprise to rest my hands from the rough roads - looked back and rewarded with this view |
Looking back, riding Sonoma County every other day with smoother roads in between was probably the best strategy, but maybe we should have done all the rough rides first. Guess we'll just have to go back next year.
 |
| Top of Adobe Canyon - which had the smoothest roads we found in Sonoma County |
We changed and walked to the Chocolate Shop to do a Tasting and fill up our water bottles. Before going back to the cottage to watch Stage 5 of the Tour of California, we also indulged in smoothies at the Glen Ellen Market. There is something about us and Markets when on vacation, I think we visited one every single day. On European trips, we usually visit twice a day.
 |
| Recovery Chocolate - Elvis (Peanut Butter & Banana) for me and Coffee for Terry |
Stage 5 finished in Avila Beach where we vacationed Christmas 2011 so it was thrilling to watch Jens Voigt win on a solo attack right in front of our hotel. Even more exciting was knowing that in less than 24hrs we would be at Stage 6. And at that moment in front of the TV watching Jens talk about his race, we had no idea that he would suck both our wheels and take a picture with me, but you'll have to wait for Day 7 to hear more on that!
 |
| Adobe Canyon Mailbox for Mailbox Monday - couldn't pass this one up |
We had checked off a ride, the Market, chocolate, and the Tour, so took showers then went to the wine tasting building on property to check things out. The monthly band blend music night had started so we mingled a bit but didn't feel like staying, so headed to Cafe Citti for an early dinner.
 |
| Wine "Tasting" - a good end to another perfect vacation day |
If you've never experienced a bike race, I highly recommend it. Even better is to attend on your bicycle by riding the course or to the course. To do this, it takes some planning but we were prepared and packed quickly. Then off to bed since the alarm was set for 5am. Although vacation was winding down, the Tour was why we were here and we were ready to be a part of it!
 |
| Sweet dreams |
Day 7 - AToC TT : Women & Jens
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