Every time I watch Chef I get into a huge cooking mood. Therefore after last night I was craving a kitchen so I could cook a bacon grilled cheese or some lobster mac n cheese. Even though I didn't manage to cook either of those things this afternoon I did get to wake up and cook everyone eggs to go in our breakfast burritos. We were fortunate enough last night to have the local market donate eggs, cheese, tortillas, salsa, avocados, and more so we could have an incredibly filling breakfast. I do not know though if I've ever cooked 5 dozen eggs at once before.
With our stomached full we had an indoor route meeting due to the chill outside and went over our plan for Yosemite. Last night Kalli had managed to find us a host to stay at just 10 miles outside of the western edge of Yosemite. As a result our ride was going to be a bit longer but we wouldn't have to worry about crazy camping. As we are there now I can say the place is pretty cool family camp. They have canvas tents with beds for us and it's kind of a mix between camping and since there are so many family activities going on that some have compared it to the place from Dirty Dancing.
At the meeting we found out that the Rangers do not like us in groups bigger than 3 in the park or is congregating for lunch stops and such on the side of the road. So the plan was to start the day with our main 12 mile climb up to the entrance and have a quick lunch fill up stop somewhere prior to the entrance. Then we were going to ride in small groups for the next 63 miles to the host, stopping as groups need but on their own. So at mile 6 halfway up and at a great vista Emily, Sarah, Jenna and I pulled off to break for a 6 miles into our ride lunch (earliest lunch ever).
While at lunch we found out we had the option to van the next 10ish miles and have free entry or to ride it all but pay the $15 entrance fee. At the stop we met up with Josh who was alone and Kalli plus Veronica. While eating all of us chose to ride since we thought each of these beautiful 10 miles was worth $1.50. Since my group of 4 would have to split, Josh was alone, and Kalli planned to climb the next 6 miles then wait for Veronica at the top, I split off and the three of us climbed together.
It was once again incredible views and we hadn't even entered the park. At the entrance we waited with the cars online to pay then pulled off to keep Kalli company until the next group of riders reached us. When they did we took a some quick photos before Josh and I headed out.
I think now that we are entering the park I'll point out there is very very little shoulder, if any, for most of what we rose today. As a result we kept to our side but kept enough of the lane to be safe. Cars would wait and pass us when they were good to but while we had a good day some other groups felt cars were a bit aggressive. No one had any issues but we ask if you're ever in a close spot passing a cyclist please give them ample space.
Riding just the two of us Josh and I enjoyed and then didn't enjoy all of the rolling hills within Yosemite. The initial 3,000 foot climb had been steep enough that josh didn't believe we were only 12 miles in when we reached it, so to find we had lots of big mile to two mile "rolling" hills was not our favorite realization. The views continued though and we made plenty of stops at vistas along the way. We also ended up pretty close with a few groups along the ride so we'd play leap frog with Emily, Jenna, and Sarah, Noah and Justin, Brian and Margaret, as well as Lisa. It made for nice boosts as weave each other or took breaks together.
The ride went on with some nice downhills finally taking the greater part of the ride somewhere between miles 40 and 50. Also by this I mean down 2 for ever 1 mile up. The speed was nice though and it took us into a surprise second lunch around mile 55. We hadn't known it was coming and I didn't realize how hungry I was. We are plenty, I took a little nap, and then we left again.
The last bit of the use while it had hills was really nice with maybe 80% down. We exited the park and had 10 miles to the host. We stopped at one vista to admire the view and recognize that a lot of the second half of our ride had some signs here or there from the major wild fire a few years back. It is sad it took so much but also part of nature and interesting to think about.
At the host we just dropped our bikes off and relaxed with a medium group as they arrived. We then had some nice pasta for dinner followed by more relaxation. We were worried for quite awhile as the trailer didn't arrive until 9:00 and there was a fairly good size crew in it today.
Mac, Steph P, and Alice had the misfortune of getting stuck in a lightning storm most of us all missed. Thy then had to hitch hike to the van and trailer which then got lost a few times on the way to the host. Once again everyone was okay and happy to arrive. We greeted them all with dinner we'd set aside and a dance to cheer them up. From there we showered and really got ready for bed. Most people were tired as today had what was probably the most climb we did in any one given day and we all need our rest before the day off.
Not sure on my hiking plans yet, but I intend for them to include a waterfall and I'll decide upon something tomorrow.