Preparations

Landmark #733 - Almost

In due course, the big road becomes a smaller road. A motorcycle cop spooked me, riding alongside; didn't know quite what to do, since his (faster) lane was going slower than my (slower) lane; I know it's illegal to pass on the inside, but I would have had to drop much lower than the speed limit to not do that. Anyway, he got out of my way, and I felt more relaxed.

I passed the other end of Pierce Road. I'd thought about riding along that road, but didn't know how narrow and twisty it was. So I rode to the intersection with highway nine, which was an interesting juggle of clutch, brake and balance to keep from going over on a sloped intersection.

Then I rode right through Saratoga, feeling a little hot and bothered, and out the other side. Highway 9 at last! Gentle curves and lots of them. 30 mph limit - which for everyone else but me would have been too slow. I could maintain 30 mph and was glad I did, given the cop I saw lurking in a gateway, waiting for speeders. I'm not one for speed in any case; so it all worked out.

The Masson Winery was easy to find, but an adventure in and of itself. There is a burgundy sign, just like it says online, and even a "historical landmark this way" sign to make it truly obvious. What I didn't know was that to leave highway 9, I'd have to do what amounted to a switchback, as the road angled steeply up and to the right. It was narrow, and being inexperienced, I bodged it up and went far onto the other side. Fortunately, the car driver coming down at just that moment was gentle and kind, and stopped so I didn't have to crash into him. No matter where you mess up, there will be an audience.

I really don't know how to do turns like that.

I went up a narrow, steep road, which wasn't a problem, then turned left onto the "parking lot". There were some big posh gates at either side, and a car pulled in some time after me. Apparently you had to call the gatekeeper to get let in. This was where the fun started. This area was steeply angled, and I got stopped, realised that if I put my kick stand down there I'd go over, and had to juggle myself and bike to get the kick stand facing up. It was hard work, but I was proud that I got it done with not too much trouble.

The chap in the car called, and the gates started to open. It was just like in the Munsters - clunk-clunk-CREAK-clunk-groan-creak. By the time I had got kegged up again, it was closing. Great. Clunk-clunk-CREAK-clunk-groan-creak.

Took my lid off. Went to call. Nobody answered, but suddenly the gate was opening up. Clunk-clunk-CREAK-clunk-groan-creak. Lid on, bike started. Clunk-clunk-CREAK-clunk-groan-creak. Closing again. Argh!!!!

I tried calling again, and then I just shrugged my shoulders and gave up. Guy up there must've thought I was fooling about. I'll go some other time, and maybe there won't be a private party on and maybe the gates will stand open.

Going back, just a few miles of twisties, was nice - so much green beauty out there. So different from the urban jungle I live in. I pulled over a time or two to let faster cars go by; this is the polite thing to do. I went back through Saratoga, and picked up Saratoga Avenue.

Landmark 489 and the Ones That Got Away

I was starting to feel fatigued and hot, so I pulled into a big shopping complex. To my surprise, it was where REI was, and I'd been here several times before. So I poked around in REI for a while, had a drink, and enjoyed the air conditioning. I was told it was just about 11 in the morning, and the heat was getting quite high.

Eventually I pulled back onto Saratoga Avenue, and kept my eyes out for what I thought was the cross-street to the next landmark, #447 - Gubserville. I parked right next to a psychic's house. I should have gone in and asked for guidance. It seemed as I walked in what felt like high heat - it was actually only 80°F or so - that the landmark would be on the opposite side of the road. As I have a friend who lives round the corner from here, I decided not to bother and will pick this one up on some other occasion.

I moved on a bit, turned right on Payne Avenue. I parked there, too, and took a hike. This time, I could see the landmark - across the road, but as it wasn't reachable with my bike, I took a walk. A few minutes later I had bagged Landmark #489, Moreland School, which was surrounded by flowers. Yay!

Landmark 868

Riding on Winchester was not as hard as I had expected. I think I must be getting used to traffic and city riding. But my oil leak is getting bad. Maintenance will be required - something to do this holiday weekend, perhaps.

There was a nice breeze in San Jose.

Landmark 249 - Not Quite!

It was hot. I was tired. It was time to go home. I had a great ride, and was surprised to see that I'd been out for four hours. After all that stop-and-start, 50 mph on Central Expressway was lovely, and I learnt something important: be done with riding by 11 in the morning if I'm going anywhere near a desert. ;-)