Saturday afternoon was very relaxing. After lunch, I walked a few blocks to downtown Calistoga for a good cup of coffee.

There were great snacks at the Cantina,
opportunities for selfies,

and time to visit other camps. Kaiser offered their own snacks and drinks to passersby,

a Mardi Gras parade made from shoeboxes,

and a surprise for me, Ronnie and Stanley Abacherli. I taught their daughters at Westside School long ago.

Everyone was having a great time,

but overhead,

The Valley Fire was burning was burning about 25 miles north of Calistoga. By early evening, the fire had spread rapidly, the Red Cross needed the Napa County Fairgrounds as an evacuation center. 100 families were expected and Trekkers were asked to pack up and leave. And we happily cooperated.

I got home after midnight. Despite its early end, I had a fantastic time and look forward to doing it again next year.

To backtrack a bit, I’m pretty sure I strained my back loading the car getting ready for this weekend. By this morning, my  lower back really ACHED! Yesterday I was one of the first riders on the course, this morning I was one of the last, but that was ok, I planned on doing the shortest route, about 17 miles.

The uphills on Franz Valley Road and Franz Valley School Road were really hard and I had to walk some of the hills. Yes, I was whining and feeling sorry for myself

until I caught up with this guy at the rest stop.

I remembered him from last night, he was the first to be called up to the Winner’s Circle because he’d raised $5898 for Breathe CA. At one point he took the microphone from the MC and told the crowd, “If only I had $102 more, I’d have broken the $6000 mark,” and people started getting up and bringing him dollars, “$101, $98, …” He came back to the podium 20 minutes later to announce he’d made it! Back to my encounter at the rest stop: he could barely walk and was telling a couple of other riders about his arthritis and a list of other ailments. He hobbled back to his bike. One woman commented at how amazing he was to be doing this ride at age 87. Time for me to stop complaining. In the next 5 miles or so, we passed each other back and forth, sometimes riding, sometimes walking. Finally I passed him for good, but when I got to the top

there he was! He laughed and said, “Didn’t you see me pass you?” And then told me the SAG vehicle brought him to the top, but it was a secret and I couldn’t tell anyone. The downhill back into town was great and I rode right up to the massage table.

Yes, there was someone available. Oh my, that 20-minute massage was heavenly and the true beginning of my backache going away.

The cantina including selling raffle tickets,
raffle prize area,


mechanics area,

mobile showers (a pleasant experience),

and excellent meals by Feast Catering.

Our camp, also stocked with lots of goodies including excellent margaritas by mixologist Mellissa, a wading pool of cool water for hot feet, and the Jimmy Buffett channel playing in the background. It was all good.

This is my team. I teach Project Ride Smart, sponsored by NNTMA (North Natomas Transportation Management District), twice each year. I was invited to join their team to ride this year. I’ve never done anything like this before. Good decision, great fun. L-R. Front row: Sherrie, Mike, Bruce. Middle row: Team Captain Julie, John, Mellissa. Back row: MJ, Abbey, Arlete, Matt, Shawn.

6:30 am: up and ready to ride as soon as the required safety meeting is over. Since I know I’m a slower-than-average rider, I wanted to get an early start.
We’re in wine country, grapes grow everywhere!

Hennessy Lake: the rest stop was at the boat launch.

It was a bit of a climb to get to the rest stop, the turn around point for the 31-mile Middle A route. There were 4 routes this morning, from 10-50 miles.



Dutch Henry was a partner-winery for this year’s Trek.
Wine tasting (at 10 am? yes, it’s possible) and all purchases were picked up by the SAG vehicle and brought back to camp.