King Ridge

I did it. I rode King Ridge today. 49 miles; 5000 feet of climbing. It was hard. Each time I have done King Ridge, I have had a little doubt about whether I could do it. Today was no exception. I forgot how hard it was until I got on the most challenging climb. This is a triple H ride: hard, harder and hardest. The scenic beauty makes it worthwhile. Not to mention the sense of accomplishment at the end. I took a bunch of pictures so I can narrate the ride.

I started near Cazadero. Where  Austin Creek runs into the Russian River. Sonoma County. I was going to start in Duncans Mills a few miles away but decided to get on the road sooner. I got on the bike just before 9 a.m. I worried about the heat, so I wanted to start as early as possible. It was in the 60's when I began the ride.

I rode up the Cazadero Road about seven miles to the town of Cazadero. King Ridge Road is on the far side of town.

King Ridge Road starts out pretty mellow for the first few miles. Then you get to what Mark Gaydos and I call the "amuse bouche" [light appetizer course]. After that - the main course - the hardest climb of the entire ride. Good to do the hardest part early. It began to get warmer. High 70's. Still pretty early in the day. The main climb is steep and long. I didn't check but I am pretty sure it is about a 15 degree climb for a quarter mile. If you want to forget about the pandemic - climb this hill. You won't be able to think about anything other than getting to the top. Hard to breathe. Heart pumping.

I needed a break at the top. After a few minutes, my heart rate was still in the 130's. I took a pic looking at what I had still in store.

After another fairly hard climb you get to the summit of King Ridge. 

This is looking up toward the summit.

The road here is a skinny little one laner, covered in cow plop. I encounter cattle up here every time.

 This is looking East from the summit. You can see far in all directions.

Here is a barn just past the summit.

A little further, there is a fast downhill thru a redwood forest.

At about mile 22, I came to the Tin Barn

After that, steep downhill to Hauser Bridge

What goes down, must come up. After the bridge, is the second hardest climb. A few miles of pretty steep til you get to the Ratna Ling Buddhist Temple. I am relieved when I see the temple's white fence. The suffering is almost over. This is about the halfway point.

The temple provides water for cyclists. A welcome stop, knowing that you have completed the hardest parts of the ride.

It was pretty hot by now, in the 80's. I sat for a few minutes, talked to other cyclists and then continued on. A series of rolling hills for the next five miles or so.

I have a running joke with Glen Olsen about what we call the "ramp of death". Here is the entrance to the ramp of death.

The ramp of death is not really that hard. There is a short section - maybe a tenth of a mile that is about 10-11% grade. After you convinced yourself that you were done with the hard climbing, it feels unfair. I just accept it and do the work. Suffering is all in your mind. I chose not suffer.

I passed a few barns on Seaview Road.

Next, you come to the top of the Fort Ross Road, where it summits after climbing from the coast.

I climbed Fort Ross Road from the coast once. It was the hardest climb I have ever done.

Finally, I came to the Meyers Grade, a very steep long downhill to the coast.

Just past the bottom of the grade, I reached Jenner - at the mouth of the Russian River.

I stopped for clam chowder in Jenner at Cafe Aquatica. 

Glen and Mark G. know it well. Some of the best chowder I know about with giant crunchy amazing croutons. I hate croutons in general - except for these. I sat outside and ate, listening to Zoe play great tunes on her guitar.

Back to the Russian River. Only about five miles to go. I saw a bunch of pelicans and other waterfowl resting on a sandbar.

I passed one more barn - breaking apart and falling down.

I tried to find my parents old cabin in Duncan's Mills. It is abandoned and overgrown. I could not find it. 

I made it easily back to the truck. A very enjoyable ride. I needed gas, so I treated myself to a ride down the Sonoma coast from Jenner to Bodega Bay. Warm day. The beaches were packed. Spectacular scenery. 

Back home. Hot bath. A great day.

the bear