Hello all,

We had a great ride today going over Harrison Grade, Coleman Valley to the coast, Bay Hill,Joy rd, and back over Occidental rd.  We had I believe over 20 riders at the start of the ride. Dave and Carolyn Neal, Robin, Susan N, Karen Gouldilocks, Buck, Andy, Larry, Mark G, Lorenzo, and myself of the Mountain Goats and then Bob O, Melissa, John A, Johann, Lynn B., Brian, Jeff, "Oh so lucky Samson", and one other fellow who works for PG&E who's name I can't remember and I apologize for that….and maybe one or two others.  We had a number of riders who had never been over Bay Hill or the joy or riding up Joy Rd. so it's always nice to see people try new terrain.

We had a great weather with some amazing views of the coast.  The group got split into several groups after Harrison grade and for the most part it stayed that way all the way back with a big regroup at the town of Bodega and then gradually in groups of 2-4 everyone rolled out at different times and headed back to Ragle over "Oh so Joyful Rd.".

We did have one very scary incident on Coleman Valley Rd.  Once we dropped down on Coleman Valley past Joy Rd. and then started the steep climbs up to the top this white Volvo station wagon came flying down the mountain and I mean flying down!  Way too fast and blasted his horn at us and we were already on the right had side of the road. That move even incited Karen to a possible swear word!  I commented that at least his front fender didn't have any lycra on it which meant he hadn't hit anyone in front of us…..but he did manage to run Samson off the road up ahead of us apparently.  As we got further up the hill there were a group of about 6 riders on the side of the road and we thought maybe some one had a flat or mechanical but apparently the Volvo ran Samson off the road and over a barbed wire fence and into the bushes.  He only ended up with a scratch on the back of his leg….and hopefully not any poison oak…Hence the name "Oh so lucky Samson".  We all couldn't believe that was all that happened to him or his bike.  We all felt very lucky for him.  

So with all that being said he do we contact in law enforcement to let them know this happened because I'll bet he lives up that road somewhere or somewhere near by for him to be driving that fast down that stretch of road.

I hope everyone has a great weekend and keeps piling on those April Alpina elevations!

Enjoy the day,

Dennis