Monday February 13, 2023
I had an 8:00 meetup with Syreeta and her oldest son Nate at the local coffee brew house -Sociology in downtown Folsom. The latte was delish but the blueberry muffin? Hands down the best I've ever had! Totally packed with fresh blueberries. Not like the muffins that tease you with the fruit on top and then nothing but white flour in the middle. Such a gypped feeling when you get one of those right!? This one had a little bit of sugar on top and a rich, moist and darker than your average white flour that gave it a hearty texture that is watering my mouth now as I write this - yum!
After a nosh we all walked around the old town to mostly just chill and chat. Well Syreeta and I chilled anyway. Nate is one of those kids with boundless energy you know? Like the new puppy you get that is bred for sheep-herding or dogsledding or something and if you don't let them run for 27 hours a day they become rambunctious? I think that's still a word right? My mom used to call me rambunctious a lot too. So can't be all that bad : )
Nate loves to skateboard and as we walk thru town he looks at everything as if it were in a skateboard park and he's trying to figure the best way to navigate a trick on it. Even without a board with him. So without the board he's like a traceur you know? Traceurs are the ones that partake in Parkour? You with me still? OK we need to have sit-down. Just because most of us here are chronologically challenged doesn't mean we can't stay up to date on cool fads. YouTube some of the Traceurs or just the word parkour and it's amazing to see what these kids can do along rooftops, stairs or climbing between walls. I think Jackie Chan started this kind of stuff in the Rush Hour movies. Loved those. Still do actually I don't know why I used past tense there lol. He would climb up between two brick walls? Like how?
Anyway Nate is a natch for this kind of stuff and it stokes him up.
Before we split for the day, Syreeta, the ever efficient encyclopedic, google queen of local links to trails-n-hotels-n-coffee places gave me a few local tips to look at nearby. I settled on Beals Point State park and campground.
It has a bunch of bike trails that lead right out from the campground...some for mountain biking and some for road riding. I think this place has my name written all over it!
I decided I would do a 35 mile road ride into Sacramento and then i can take the Light Rail (train) back after exploring the town a bit…
But first I stopped into the local bike shop. Mikes! Or actually Mikes Bikes! Perfect name.
I met Kyle inside and we chatted for a bit while he kept working his butt off too (that's in case your boss reads this : )
He resonated with me when I mentioned I was from NY and traveling because he has done a ton of this kind of stuff himself too. Even on an Enduro type motor bike with a tent! He had cool pics and stories about trusting the Universe also to provide help and gas right when you need it. Reminded me of the young couple that picked me up down in Galveston a few weeks back. Right when you can't figure out what to do next God steps in and delivers something out of the ordinary that knocks your socks off! OK pause a sec again. Has anyone actually had their socks knocked off? Like because of total disbelief? Or for any reason really. I mean, what has to happen in order for your socks to come flying off? I have this one pair that no matter what I do its like a battle every time I get undressed. They just roll over on themselves and it's like a 10 minute ordeal. Think I'll get rid of those now that you mention it. Kind of a weird saying too though no? We humans come up with some strange stuff right? Can't we just say totally I was totally surprised!? Guess it's not as colorful though for sure. Anyway..there's no reason to get your panties in a bind (ha!) when things seem bleak - cuz all you need to do is trust!
I totally could see myself connecting up with Kyle and some of the others that I've met over this trip with similar passions. So cool to hang and just chat about things we love to do and places we've been. Something to be said about surrounding yourself with like minded peoples for sure...
Spectacular bike shop by the way too...carrying some of the same brands like Salsa and Electra that we do back in NY made it feel homey to me also. Bike shops are cool. Period.
So I headed to Beals State Campground to grab a site before going out for a ride. Unfortunately I couldn't grab a site before 2pm the Ranger said. So I had to pay for a day use pass and when I got back from my ride I'd be able to grab a site then. Hopefully there will be some sites still available then too...
So I geared up the road bike and myself for a trip down into Sacramento...about a 35 mile jaunt. What's super cool is that there is a bike path that starts in this campground and takes you right into downtown! Like what!? Does NY even know there are people that ride bikes? Literally it's a super wide path, line down the middle, bikers stay to the right and walkers/joggers to the left so we see each other coming and avert. It works well lemme tell ya. The supreme bonus? Not having to worry about any traffic lights, car traffic, turns or anything for 35 miles. Pretty much just stay on the path all the way into the city. Sometimes along citified views but most times a view of the river or trees alongside the path. Only the last few mile into the city became a little sketchy in the sense that there were some 'tent' peoples and the like kind of strewn about. Not that they bothered me, but it did raise the feathers on my wings a bit.
Oh! There was one spot where they closed the path because there was work being done so literally the path ended into a fence and I had no idea which way to go lol! I had to ask a construction worker (who says guys don't ask for directions?) and literally had to do a little single track/gravel riding on the Parlee just to get back onto a paved surface. Otherwise I would've had to go back a few of miles or so. Coulda' been a little more signage here to help out for sure but no worries all good!
Reaching downtown Sac there was this little old town feel going on with the cobble stone streets and such. What a mix of peoples too...felt like every walk of life here. Some local tent peoples perhaps, the skateboarder crowd, the families on vacation crowd, the kids in souped up cars making noise crowd and those that appeared to have a bit of money just walking around shopping and taking it all in. All just visual 'observations' but made for such an eclectic feel. Oh and don't forget the "dudes in long tight cycling spandex but changed into better walking shoes" crowd too. Can't forgot those guys. Funny I didn't care how goofy I looked. Shows you what a month on the road does to your vanity huh? Don't shave, wear clothes for more than one day, shower occasionally, walk around a tourist town in long cycling lycra topped off with a tight fitting bright red Specialized jacket. Throw in tan "Dudes" loafers for the complete look - yeah spot on! I'm rocking it for sure : )
A more sensitive man would not be able to pull this off. Ha! Or maybe only a guy that's completely lost it and talks to rubber ducks on his dashboard anyway.
Two blocks over I find the "newer city" I would call it. Right by the Golden 1 Center where the Sac Kings play. Way more of an upscale feel over here. Super fancy restaurants and freshly laid sidewalks and...a coffee shop! Woohoo! Plopped my bike outside and grabbed myself a nice latte at Roots Coffee to just chill for a moment. It was getting late in the afternoon so I couldn't spend too much time here but I wanted to breathe in the city for a moment. I chatted with the Barista about grabbing the "Light Rail" back to Folsom in order to get into camp before dark. It's basically a train that runs every half hour or so and they don't care if you bring your bike on. Don't think they care if you bring an elephant on actually. All kinds of folk taking this thing and some are carrying skateboards, some have bikes, some are carrying an entire years worth of ganja on their breath and some folk are just yapping away with all their friends but funny - I couldn't see any of them : )
Interesting ride back.
The Light Rail dropped me off in downtown Folsom after nearly an hour ride and now I still had about a five mile bike ride back to Beals Campground and it was kinda dark already. More dusk-like actually but getting cold and dark quick. I was both glad I'd be on the trail and a little on edge about being on the trail at the same time lol. I know in some area's trails and darkness bring out all kinds of interesting peoples.
The cool night air and the faster pace I set to get back left me with the chills a bit. I rode a bit faster than I wanted to in order to get back safely and grab a campsite. I still had to find one, pay for it, set up the tent, eat and hunker down for the night. This is what makes for long days...going all day into the night and then trying to grab a few winks in the cold night atop a jeep. Winds were forecasted to pick up after midnight so we'll see how that goes...
I'm not sure the spot I picked to hunker down was actually a legit one but there was nobody around to question me either. I set up camp right where I parked, hunkered down and drifted off after a nice PB, honey and granola sandwich on wheat bread. And a cookie.
Great company. A muffin. A latte. A ride. A campsite. No flats. No issues.
A good day.
Inside
To the reader it may seem like all just goes so smoothly and it does, eventually lol. For me, waking through all of these things as a first timer it's a lot of mental work and even emotionally challenging. Maybe challenging is to strong but I'm walking through so many unknowns each day. How will the trail be marked if at all? Am I safe here as I pass through these little tent cities as the hallow eyes of the 'campers' stare as I go by? Do they know how much my bike is worth? When I stop to look at my phone for directions and make sure I'm on course...am I leaving myself exposed as a target in these last few miles into the city? How will I know which train to get on? It's going to be rush hour...will it be super crowded as I attempt to get a bike on there? Is there an extra fee for bikes? The list is far greater than just these few but it gives an insight, to me actually right now too, why I can be so tuckered at the end of the day...!
Outside
I love these states that put some time and effort into making bike traveling and commuting viable for people...so good! Campsites with bike rides out of them too! WOW!
Upside
So many things went right today...and most of these days actually. A latte with people I could call family, great tips on rides, camps and everything just working out perfectly in the end. Blessed man I am.
downside
Always saddens me a bit to see the "unhoused" along roadsides and bike paths. Little tent cities and the like. Such a rich country as ours and we still have this going on. Not sure some of them actually want to be helped sometimes you know? Hard to discern, just a thought.
"I hear the train a-comin', it's rolling 'round the bend" - Folsom Prison Blues, Johnny Cash.
Checking out of the Holiday Inn this morning, whoa what's that!? A Palm tree! Feels warmer just seeing it!
Sociology coffee shop downtown Folsom.
Mikes Bikes! Super cool vibe shop and employees to match...
Kyle and I bonded pretty quick over these types of trips and of course...bikes! Thanks for chatting Mike! If you ever make into Long Island give me a shout for sure...
Leaving the coffee shop and just feeling the nostalgia of the old buildings in some of these 1800's mining towns ...
I wasn't able to get a campsite just yet, to early apparently, so I parked here and saddled up.
You can see Folsom Lake in the background which is also damned up for power purposes.
A closer shot of the lake and damn off to the right before I hit the trail down to Sacramento
Literally this trail began off the parking lot above and for 35 miles continued right into downtown Sacramento....so good.
No it's not a road! It's a bridge and paved path for cyclists and pedestrians alike...over the rivers and such... I love the way care for outdoor peoples and even for commuters!
The path continues and you can see a fly fisherman off in the water there...
The path actually took me right past the coffee shop I was in this morning too...right through downtown Folsom.
Another cool bridge just for us...
Wait! The trail can't stop here! Where do I go now lol!? I asked a construction worker up ahead and hje gave me a few pointers. Had to do a little single track and gravel riding to get back on course but it all worked...no flats thank you!
On the gravel path back to the trail, gotta her a joke sign by the construction workers no!? 15 1/2 MPH! I tried my best to maintain it : )
As I got close to the city the bridges got a little more industrial looking...
...and the trail a little more citified feeling.
Trail dumped me pretty much right here...an old school, or historic, or vintage, whatever the word is mining town feel.
Zoltar! Anyone remember the movie?
I feel like I should be able to tie up my bike along here somewhere after I dismount lol.
Two blocks from the historic part of the city...wow what a different feel! Sacramento Kings home court...
Grabbed a latte and a few tips on the Light Rail system back home. It's about 4:30pm now and will be dark soon...
Praying I get on the right train lol...
Made it!
Back in Folsom now and a few mile ride back to the campsite as dusk falls...
Made it to the jeep! Always feels good to see my 'rolling home' again.
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