Friday: Nevada City to Volcano
Jeff was wondering why we always end up at the back of the pack. Below are some photos that illustrate some possibilities of why we end up last. However I didn’t have these photos and I figured being last was all my fault. Feeling guilty I set my goal for the day to ride faster. Remember the tortoise and the hare fable? This day was a bit like that. But first:

So after coffee, getting reports on each bike, and packing, we rode into Nevada City for breakfast.

Not long after breakfast we came upon Kim. Her bike once again sported the dreaded orange tape. She had ridden out yet another flat tire.

While in Georgetown, we stopped and had some great Mexican food. Good thing because it would be a long time until dinner.

Here’s where the tortoise and the hare fable and my goal to ride faster came into play. Remember, I was riding with a swollen left hand, that didn’t close all the way and no glasses. (Mine were lost on the day of the accident.) I was able to see the road okay, but could not read the map. Anyway I was determined to push myself, but could not keep up with the fast guys and got ahead of those riding slower. Then I got lost. Finding my way involved finding dirt roads, talking to one guy who seemed to think I wanted to go swimming with him, and encountering a group of very helpful – and handsome young men. Eventually I found the wooden suspension bridge and rode over it, but did not get the chance to really see it. Fortunately, Jeff took a video of Kim riding across this one lane wooden suspension bridge.

Getting lost took up a lot of time. I felt bad for the chase truck and others who waited for me at this bridge. Kevin saved the day by keeping me moving and then suggesting we miss the loop to Folsom Lake and go wine tasting in the Shenandoah Valley instead. This was great fun! But then we had the last ridge to navigate before getting back to Volcano. On this ridge, we more than made up the miles we missed by not going to Folsom Lake. Eventually however we made it back.