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There
After a lot of faffing around, I forced myself out the door. I was tired
and not in the mood, and it's only a day later that I realise why: I
stayed up late watching a movie, so my body clock, which was starting to
be tuned up nicely to early mode, was very puzzled and low-energy.
It was quite cool when I set out, and I thought we might get a
thunderstorm. It changed, though, becoming not hot, but rather muggy.
I rode down Maude to get fuel, just as the fuel truck was exiting. I
discovered that I can control the bike more confidently in u-turn like
manoeuvres if I keep my feet down, which surprises me, and I'm sure that
is not the way it's meant to be done. I'll run with it for a while and see
what happens.
After that it was over to Mary and Central, then San Tomas Expressway. The
traffic was not particularly heavy, being a Sunday, though I really didn't
feel as if I were riding well, or concentrating well. Bad. Even so, it
seemed like no time at all that I was taking Saratoga Avenue.
Landmark #447
I found this landmark with little difficulty, as I had been there just a
few days before. I pulled into some company car park, and immediately
some guy in a taxi asked me if I needed a ride to the Chinese church
opposite :: giggle :: He was being shuttle. I thought it was quite good,
actually, as it's a busy road and I suppose the church had no car park of
its own.
The marker was right there by the roadside, so I put my lid on top, and my
number identifier, and got my pics. For once I managed to get one that
more or less had me and the title of the landmark in it, too.
Gubserville was an important restocking stop on the way between cities.
And Back Again
I had another landmark to pick up, which I thought was at Congress Springs
Park, just after the intersection with Highway 85. Nope. I walked around
that strange little sports park (baseball fields, ranges, you name it) but
not a landmark in sight. The guide book said "intersection on highways 9
and 85" but there is no such intersection, so I guessed at "85 and
Saratoga", and since Saratoga was once known as Congress Springs, I
thought...maybe. But nope. Never mind. I had a nice walk, it wasn't too
hot, and I do need to remember to pack something to walk in other
than my motorcycle boots. They hurt my feet very quickly.
So, I set off back home on Sunnyvale/Saratoga, scratching my head, having
collected only one landmark. I made it home safely, and went searching on
the Web, which I might have done beforehand. The landmark is nowhere near
where the book says, but on Los Gatos Road. I looked at the map and
planned a long ride starting with Blossom Hill Road (Almaden Vineyard),
through Los Gatos, up to Saratoga, and home. Preferably when I'm more
connected to my riding and in the right mood.
Photos
Landmark Data
California Landmark #447
Gubserville
From San Tomas Expressway, take Saratoga Avenue and keep going. Keep an
eye out after you pass Payne. It's on your right, and you'll just have to
look for the number - 1481. Pull into a parking lot nearby; you could pull
your bike up to it if you wanted, but I chose not to as it's a) a sidewalk
and b) my bike sometimes leaks oil and c) I don't want to compromise any
goodwill to bikers by doing something that is not strictly kosher and
might well be frowned upon.
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This page created 25 May 2003
Last update 30 Apr 2007
© 2003-2007 White Raven
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