Sunday April 22, 2012
31 miles (50 km) – Total so far: 390 miles (628 km)
Today is TARTAR – the Tour of the American River for Trikes and Recumbents. This ride is organized by our friend Wayne Leggett. Wayne owns and operates the 3-2-Go trike shop in Ventura. We first met Wayne a couple of years ago when we rode with him, his wife and a group of recumbent riders from the Ventura area on a weekend getaway to Ojai. We really enjoyed that first ride with Wayne and his crew, so when we learned he organized this ride in Sacramento, we just had to join in!
We get to sleep in this morning, since the ride is not scheduled to start until 10:00 AM. Sleep late, roll out of bed, lounge about the room for a while and finally get dressed and head out to The Waffle House Restaurant, where the riders are scheduled to meet up for a pre-ride breakfast.
After breakfast, we head out into the parking lot where the riders are beginning to assemble. As we wait, we see a few other trikes pull in. A few minutes later we see a few more, then a couple more. Before long, there is a pretty good collection of trikes and recumbent bikes sitting around in the parking lot. A BIG collection. The largest group of trikes I have ever seen in one place!
The people are terrific. Here are people that we have known for years on Facebook or Bent Rider On Line, but have never met in-person before. The machines are terrific also – here is almost every known variety of trike and recumbent bike I know of. There are even two other Scorpion FS’s – only the second time since buying my trike that I have met another FS. After a little time socializing and oogling each others machines, its time to head off for the ride. The American River Bike Trail is a 33 miles paved trail that travels from Sacramento to Folsom Lake, hugging the American River through park after lush park. There are trail side mile markers to help you track you trip; they start from zero at the path’s western end. Although parts of the trail feel wild, you’re never far from civilization.
This is one beautiful trail. I am pretty spoiled, living on Orange County with a LOT of trail options to choose from. Many of the O.C. trails are beautiful, but none of them hold a candle to the ART. This trail is bordered along its entire length by nicely maintained pasture land, tree farms, city and county parks and, of course, the American River. The pavement is really well maintained and smooth. This trail is a real joy to ride.
During the rest stops, we spend time examining more of the marvelous machines that have come to this rally. There are several varieties of velomobile, including at least one home-made model.
I am particularly impressed with the Trice tandem trike that places the riders sitting back-to-back. I have heard stories about this trike for years, but I always believed they were just stories, an urban legend of the recumbent world. But here was one, in the flesh! According to its owners, there were only a couple of them ever them made.
As the day went on, the temperature started to rise. This is absolutely the warmest day of the ride so far. Over 90 degrees for most of the afternoon. I am grateful or the large water bottle and the sunscreen I have on-board! I am sorely tempted to wander down to one of the many beaches along the river and join the swimmers and rafters that are enjoying the cool water.
This was a great ride. We loved exploring this amazing trail, and meeting the many wonderful people who came to the rally. I sure hope we will get an opportunity to ride this trail with you again.
The heat has drained us. We are both pretty tired. After packing up the car, we immediately head to the nearest Cold Stone Creamery for well-deserved ice cream. Then is back to the hotel for a quick shower and a short nap before dinner.
Tomorrow – we head to Napa to begin some wine country riding….