Fort Bragg to Cloverdale 74 miles - hot, hot, hot

Wow.  Toady is why we ride.
Started off in Fort Bragg at 48 degrees and clear along the ocean for about 20 miles.

We rode along Route 1 and passed Mendocino....

And dropped down to sea level before heading into a Redwood Forest at about 20 miles.

I would guess the temperature in the woods was probably 50-52 degrees.  Nice and cool.  But it was hard for the cars to see us so we all had our rear lights on and flashing.  At about 30 miles we had a sag stop next to a former campground that had a "circle of redwoods".  You stood in the middle and tried to take a picture of the top of the trees - and you had to be careful you did not fall over trying to see the top of the trees.

As soon as we exited the forest the temperature jumped to about 80 degrees and we entered  Anderson Valley wine  country.  Lots of small vineyards dotted both sides of the road.

At 45 miles there was a cider stand.  First the cider was great (cold and fresh).  Second it marked the 1/2 point of our ride (700 miles down; 700 miles to go).

Almost immediately after the cider stand we began to climb for the next 25 miles.  By now, the temperature climbed to the high 80's. By the time we reached our hotel the temperature was 92 degrees.  

The staff did a great job of helping us today.  They had energy drinks for us before the big climbs and at the top of each 3 mile climb they were there waiting with ice and water for our water bottles.

Only complaint of the day were the logging trucks.  The shoulder of the roads in many places did not even exist.  While the speed limit might be posted at 30, these guys were hauling by us at 40-50.  They would honk their horns and my strategy was to get my ass off the road.  Not only would the truck come by - but probably 10 cars were right behind it as they could not pass the big trucks on the narrow roads.

But I survived and we got to see the glory of California.  From the ocean to the redwoods to the hills and farmland.    All in one day.

First thing I did when I got in my hotel room was crank up the air conditioner.   First time this trip.  Not sure where we go tomorrow but it will be hot, for sure.