THE RIDE TO PARADISE. WHEW! *

This was about a year ago.  We rode to Paradise California up the back road.  The whole ride is 32 miles, but it's the 5.4 miles up hill, back and fourth and back and fourth and did I mention back and fourth that was really hard.     Yes we did walk up the very steep parts, and then cycled on the lowest gear on less steep parts.   

This is me contemplating my life.  We're at the half way point and yes we were tired.   We took a lot of breaks,  5 miles up hill was gruling.   We had more than several cyclist pass up like it was a cake walk.  And one kind gentleman offer us more water. Opp's we ran out.

It's really quite beautiful ride.  Lot's of birds and we learned something new.  When lizards run across the rode they hold their tails really high. I did not know this and almost crashed I was laughing so hard.

Look back from where we came.

Looking ahead.   This is not just the beginning, it gets way steeper.

Taking a much needed break.  Our heart were pounding and we were out of breath.  But resting really helped.  The mosquitoes didn't help.

Were Back in Civilization!!!!   Coming around the last bend in the road huffing and puffing to see a home nestled in the woods we did a happy dance.  I had to take a picture of the Road sign in Paradise to prove that we actually did it.

    Taking a break.  And yes that is a huge exhaust pipe.   We were exhausted.  Let me tell you when your that tired and hungery a cliff bar taste like a flaming mignon.                                                                    












The refreshed picture.                               

 And now for the zombie picture. This is us just making it up there.  We were both death warmed over with a slice of insanity. 

4 hours
At this time we did not own our bike speedometers.  So I'm going to guess about 2000 calories or more.

(This was before we knew about Neal Rd.)
And Yeah on the way back down Chris has a slow leak in his front tire.  We must have been doing at least 21 miles an hour down hill.   And on this road you can not make a mistake, if you go over the edge that it your gone, it goes right down to the valley.   So here I am going around each corner OMG OMG OMG  thinking shit I'm going to watch my hubby launch him self over the side, because of his slow leek.    Amazingly the leek lasted all the way home.   WHEW!    And when he stopped the bike at the front door it went flat as a pancake.   We both laughed out loud out of shock that it lasted all the way until we got home.  WOW! That's all I can say.  

Later on we learned that their is a better and safer way to go back home.    But that's for next time.