Up and out with the sun warm on my back, I rode out to Highway 50 wondering where I could ride locally for International Female Ride Day, stay warm and get out of the commuter traffic. Ah, the woes of the unemployed!
First stop was at FishWitch Syd’s but she was already out. Ok…now it was a solo challenge, deciding on a solo ride, but hey it isn’t like I hadn’t done it before. After riding across the new Folsom Dam crossing, I decided to gas up near Raley’s and then ride out Green Valley Rd. to Salmon Falls road.
Funny, riding up Salmon Falls was an epiphany. I have only ridden this road a handful of times, but as memory serves, it scared me. It has a couple of really bad unpredictable curves that can throw a new rider, and I was one the last time I rode it! But today, it was smooth and easy even at a brisk pace. I found myself once again putting my Streetmasters course to the test and it served me well!
Reaching Hwy 49, I cruised left and headed to Cool then onward to Georgetown. As the elevation climbed, the temperature dropped, but Georgetown was warm and sunny as I sipped a cup of coffee perusing Ghost Rider, a book by Neil Perth which I began reading a couple of years ago and didn’t finish, but am currently relishing the book. After about 20 minutes, the Bandit found his way to Wentworth Springs Road. Now anyone who has had the pleasure of riding this road, knows of its classic pavement, wonderful twisties and winding climb up the foothills Its a true riding pleasure. After a quick stop at Stumpy Meadows, I was truly getting into a nice rhythm and thinking how odd it was that there were no other riders. Well, I was soon to discover. On a blind right hander, I encountered snow, ice and debris and luckily, mazed on through. I cut my pace considerably as I approached higher elevation and found that snow was beginning to cover the roadway. Soon, I had to make a u-turn, as the road was completely covered with melting snow and ice. I had slipped a bit on a couple of minor crossings and decided it was time to turn back as this was more adventure than I was ready to engage. It was grand while it lasted!
This is what most of Wentworth Springs Rd. looked like!
The ride back home was over Marshall Road, which is a serious kick in the pants down into Green Valley. After Lotus I was surprised by a flock of pink birds along the roadway. Ah, pink flamingos, what could be a more perfect ending for a female ride day other than a tall Mojito. Well, that was easy!!
The route
