La SonoMendo Two Day Mixty Bike Tour

A Credit Card Tour usually involves modest hotels and restaurants. Pure luxury... by cyclist standards.

Yes, the name of this bike tour is a mouthful, but the tour is worthy of a unique name. The tour idea came about after Sarah Schroer did Max Polleto's SFR Orr Springs 600K Adventure Brevet in June of 2014. That ride is a beast, a hilly, dirty, 600K. This ride intends to capture some of the great riding offered on the 600K, but in a more civilized approach. This ride is a two day adventure, a 100 mile ride from Healdburg to Ukiah, followed by a 90 mile ride from Ukiah to Healdsburg on day 2. In between is a restful night at a comfortable Hotel in Ukiah. This ride is nothing like the 600K... but offers significant challenges nonetheless. It travels through three counties, Sonoma, Mendocino, and Lake, hence the name. Check out Sarah's Ukiah Two Day Tour Route.

Sarah tows me along the first easy miles on Dry Creek Rd North of Healdsburg

Sarah and I start in Healdsburg at 9 AM (remember, this is a civilized tour)! We head up Dry Creek Road, hoping for little or no boat traffic. Although it is Labor Day Weekend, and it's hot, we are starting our tour on Sunday. We've got a small amount of overnight gear in our large seat packs. Hopefully all the partying Lake goers are at their destinations already. A truck with boat trailer passes us early, but it's the only one we see. Up and over Dutcher Creek, we roll through Cloverdale, and tackle the stout climb up Hwy 128 to Yorkville. We stop there, at the Deli and Wine Tasting establishment. This place has been remodeled and reopened, and we'd like to keep them in business, so we stop for a soda and muffin.

Soda and muffin at Yorkville. Seat bags packed.

On to Booneville. We would normally stop there, but since we stopped in Yorkville, we elect to stop in the smaller town of Philo, six miles up the road, to check it out. There we find a store with a full butcher meat counter, deli, and groceries, as well as a nice table out front. They prepare a wonderful fresh sandwich for us, but unfortunately ours was given to some other tourists who head quickly down the road. They got our Turkey sandwich, we got their Roast Beef. We were fine with that, I hope they were OK with our turkey!

Lunch in Philo, CA. If you're starting to think this tour is all about food stops, you are partially right.

The grocery clerk asks us which way we were heading on Hwy 128. We say West. He says, "That road wasn't built for bicyclists." Sarah and I are not sure if he's a bike hater, or just a practical man trying to give us a warning about the shoulderless road. We're only going ten miles before turning off on Flynn Creek, so hopefully it won't be too bad. Although there is no shoulder, and the road is busy, we do just fine. But I'm glad when we turn onto Flynn Creek!

No shoulder on Hwy 128 between Philo and Flynn Creek Rd, but we survive.

Flynn Creek is nice with one good climb, decent pavement, and no traffic. Our plan is to refuel in Comptche at the end of Flynn Creek Road. We get there, and the store is closed. Oops. Sarah consults with a local at the Post Office, who tells us we can get water at the Church down the way. We head down there, and are treated to some good 'ol rural hospitality.

Sarah climbs on the quiet Flynn Creek Road, a relief after Hwy 128.

Our hearts sink when we discover the Comptche Store is closed. Church to the rescue.

As we roll up to the church, we are welcomed, one woman calling out to Sarah without prompting, "Yes, bathrooms are available!" We walk inside and everyone is very nice, tending to our needs, and showing us around. As we are leaving, a 10 year old boy, Edgar, asks Sarah, "Do you want to see my airplane?" Of course she says yes, and Edgar demonstrates the glider, flinging it into the air, it does a loop, but comes up short, nosing straight into the ground. No foul, it was built to take the abuse. Later, Edgar's father shows up, and Edgar properly introduces Sarah and me. We chat, then the Pastor shows up. Edgar again properly introduces Sarah and me. We chat more, and after explaining why we didn't take the most direct route from Healdsburg to Ukiah, we're on our way, talking about how impressed we were with Edgar's manners and maturity.

Edgar explains to Sarah the finer points of glider flying.

Next we've got two big climbs on Comptche-Ukiah Rd, and Orr Springs Road. While the day has gone great so far, I'm fighting a severe case of hot foot, and the heat and miles are causing extreme fatigue. The scenery is gorgeous, but the pavement is deteriorating fast, as is my condition. I struggle up both climbs, but can't help noticing how beautiful the riding is in this area.

Rolling along Comptche-Ukiah Road. Photo: Sarah Schroer.

Rolling along Comptche-Ukiah Rd. before the big climb... and the bad pavement.

The Orr Springs climb was difficult in the heat, but gorgeous. Photo: Sarah Schroer

Sarah tops out on Orr Springs Rd. A nice, long, descent to Ukiah awaits.

At the top of the final climb, we pull over, I take of my shoes, massage my feet, and eat my last bit of rationed food. Just a long descent into Ukiah, and we're good. Sarah tows me in.

Once in town, we elect to hit Safeway before the Hotel. Grabbing some snacks and cool drinks, including beer, will allow us to relax for a bit, and take off the urgency of getting to dinner. Works like a charm. After some refreshing drinks, some Sushi, and a good shower, including washing our kits so they'll dry before morning, we head off on foot to a well reviewed Taqueria.

A stop at Safeway as we arrive into town insures a relaxing primp and prep for dinner at the Tacqueria.

Proper Pre-dinner refreshments.

On the way to dinner we pass a lot full of old cars. The photographic opportunities are endless, and I take a few, here is one representative example.

Advanced Credit Card Touring technique... pre drying the cycling clothes by rolling and pressing with the bath towel. Photo: Sarah Schoroer

After a nice stroll back to the hotel, it's time for some rest.

Next morning I stumble into the Hotel office to grab some coffee and tea and survey the breakfast offerings. I spy the self serve waffle maker. The breakfast decision is made. After coffee and tea in the room, Sarah and I head for a nice breakfast, with waffles, syrup, yoghurt, and egg. Plenty of food for two hungry cyclists.

The Super 8 in Ukiah is highly recommended. Clean, roomy, nice appointments, friendly staff, comfortable bed, great breakfast (by hotel standards), and quiet. We'll be back.

Today is more challenging regarding food and water. We'll have no supplies for 50 miles, and we've got 100 degree heat, and two big climbs to deal with, one of them dirt. We resupply at a Quick Stop, and get on the road. After a fast roll to Hopland on River Rd, we tackle the wonderful Old Toll Road. There is nobody on this road. It starts paved, but turns to dirt after a couple of miles. The dirt isn't bad, gentle grades, not much washboard, and not too rocky. It's a beautiful road, but both Sarah and I struggle to represent that with photographs.

Pavement ends, climbing begins, in magical light.

Your Caption Here. May I suggest WTF?

Descending Old Toll. Photo: Sarah Schroer.

It's getting very warm now, and we begin to think about water. We've got a tough, hot climb up Bottle Rock Road to Cobb Mountain. I've got maybe a half bottle left. As we grind up the climb, the heat is unbearable. I finish my last water about a third of the way up the climb. There is no point in rationing, I'm already dehydrated. Again, I struggle up the climb, and Sarah and I top out together, rolling into Cobb Mountain, weak, hungry, and dehydrated. I drink, seriously, 4 - 20 oz. sodas, after confirming with the staff that refills are allowed. We have sandwiches, and chips. We can barely walk with all the food and liquid in our bellies, but we now have a 4 mile descent, followed by an easy, flat, 4 mile roll into Middletown, before tackling Western Mine Road, our next dirt project.

Out of water, near 100 degree heat, Sarah sets what feels like a brutal pace up Bottle Rock Rd. I barely hang on. We're probably going really slow, but it feels like max effort.

Much food and drink at Cobb Mt.

Sarah suggests we stop for a popsicle and more water, even though we left Cobb Mountain less than 30 minutes prior. I agree. We stop, get our supplies, and sit down on the bench in front of a bar. The grumpy owner comes out, smoking a cigarette, and makes a few snide remarks. We're not sure he's serious, so we laugh it off and stay put.

Our bikes at the bar in Middletown. Enjoying popsicles with the sweet smell of cigarette smoke.

Now time for Western Mine. It's nearly 100 degrees, and the dirt of Western Mine is loose, dry, washboard, and very steep. It's super painful climbing this thing, and hard to keep the rear wheel from slipping, but both Sarah and I pedal up this beast of a climb, and make the summit. We are quickly cooled by the fast, bumpy descent (paved now) of Ida Clayton Rd., and roll the flat back to Jimtown. One more water top off, mostly because the water still in our bottles is so hot it's impossible to drink!

On the Western Mine Climb, Sarah somehow manages to stop to take this selfie, honoring Paul Stimson, and the "Never Give Up Jersey" she is wearing.

Sarah tops out on the impossibly difficult dirt on Western Mine. Fine on a cool winter day, but with dry, loose, steep, dirt, in 100 degree heat, with slippery washboard, this climb is a beast!

Last descent down from Western Mine on bumpy Ida Clayton, before rolling into Jimtown for some cool water.

Just a few more miles and we are back in Healdsburg, ready for more water, cold beer, and a delicious burger. A nice end to a wonderful two day tour! I would highly recommend this route to any Adventure Cyclist.

A last stop in Jimtown before finishing in Healdsburg

A large calorie meal with beer was indicated at the finish.

Strava File Day 1:

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Strava File Day 2: