king's ridge (4 | 5)

woke up early to explore a 65 mile loop of amazing backcountry before it got too hot. lots of folks seem to consider this road one of the best around, and i'm partial to agree. amazing terrain, often an 8' wide ribbon of pavement, redwoods, oaks, ocean.

beginning the climb out of the river valley from cazadero




lots of steep climbing to reach the ridge


out of the woods, ribbon road and 360 degree views






cruising on up




always wonder about the story of the folks who left places like these.


turning onto hauser








back up and onto the top of meyers grade


in 2 miles this fellow drops from 1500-2000 feet to the floor of russian gulch on hwy 1


like the peak of a rollercoaster


the bottom of russian gulch (too fun to stop that descent and take a photo of the gulch, even if wonderfully beautiful)


back down 1 to 116, which meanders back to guerneville.

russian river (3 | 5)

exploring the valley

sam p > guerneville (2 | 5)

rode 1 along tomales bay




county roads are usually more interesting




elephant rock


bohemian hwy


spent the afternoon swimming here

russian river holiday (1 | 5)

rode up to the guerneville to spend the holiday with friends. left thursday and spent the night at sam p.

ventana wilderness: riding out (3 | 3)

morning




anyone recognize this plant?


arroyo seco gorge






steinbeck country


public health outreach in king city...

this was one of my favorite rides to date, highly recommended.

ventana wilderness: arroyo seco (2 | 3)

morning


heading north for arroyo seco, a long-unmaintained 20 mile stretch of road that hugs the sides of mountains in the ventana wilderness.




butterflies hanging out around the stream


climbing arroyo seco


yellow flowers were our companion


yours truly




pioneering


spring-fed grotto, we showered!




looking east from a saddle, out of the wilderness


slide


looking west across the river valley


we descended and set up camp next to the arroyo seco


suspension bridge for the trail


parametric bench


arroyo seco