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Day 4. Davis, CA to Folsom, CAYesterday: Day 3. Davis, CATomorrow: Day 5. Folsom, CA to Pollock Pines, CA
Synopsis
Today's ride was straight and simple but did wonders for my confidence. Averaging somewhere around 15 miles/hour over the whole day, I found myself arriving at my destination town of Folsom, California, in no time. Rolling out of Davis at about 8.30am, I soon found myself in the middle of open farmland on my way to Sacramento. As I merged onto the Yolo Causeway Bike Path immediately alongside I-80, I could see Sacramento's skyline off in the distance. Little did I know that this and other bike paths would make-up nearly the entirety of the day's riding, protecting me from traffic for most of the ride. Once into Sactown, I made my way through its "Old Town", a couple-block stratch of some classic goldrush-style buildings alongside an old railway on the Sacramento River. Somewhere along the way, I managed to lose my sunglasses. Hanging them from my collar at one point when consulting the map, they must have unknowlingly fallen to the ground. Never fear, my sponsor href=http://www.rudyprojectusa.com>Rudy Project has graciously accepted sending me a new pair somewhere along the way, once my schedule gets finalized. From Sacramento all the way to Folsom (20+ miles), a trail called the Jebediah Smith Recreation Trail (or the American River Bike Trail) cuts through some open prairie land. Once it arrives to Lake Natoma, the trails were poorly marked and I had a bit of a time finding my way, but once I just decided to continue heading East, I accidentally stumbled upon my hotel (which is way too nice here. i will go sit in jacuzzi soon.... but in the days ahead, i will be camping with bears, so I am allowed to be pampered another day or so... NICE). A big salad from Chevy's, a big margarita, then a nap and here I sit. Nice. A minor scraping coming from the front hub, but this is minor and should fade. Otherwise, SLED is running like a charm. Like I said above, today provided a great confidence boost. Granted it was totally flat, but I could tell already only after about 70 miles, I have gained some fitness; my legs are getting used to pushing the pedals; my arms and butt are getting used to their positions; and my mind is getting used to letting the time pass. Tomorrow will bring the first of many real ascents of the trip. It will no doubt offer some new mental challenges as I shift to the granny gear and grind up the mountain. The end goal for tomorrow is a small town called Pollock Pines at an elevation of around 4,000 feet (i am at elevation of 150 feet right now). It should only be about 37 miles total distance traveled, but it will undoubtedly feel like a whole lot more.
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