Day 1: San Francisco to Eureka, CA

San Francisco to Eureka, CA - 309 Miles

The day started kind of chilly and drizzly as we headed north over the Golden Gate Bridge. Welcome to summer in the City - Karl the Fog is ever present.

After a quick gas stop in Mill Valley, we rode as fast as we could up 101 north to make it to Cloverdale, where we hopped on 128 West toward the coast. This 60 mile stretch of spectacular twisties cuts through Alexander Valley, a wine region that produces some fantastic small batch wines, and redwoods that are hundreds of years old.

Kate and I soaking in the super fresh air in the redwood forrest:

128 terminates on Highway 1 in Albion & Mendocino; the coastal cliffs are just gorgeous and the wildflowers are bursting with color.

Here are some shots from the cliffs close to Mendocino....

Alice (poser):

Kate (Serious Biker Chick):

Coastal Beauty:

....and 2 other kinds of "coastal beauties" lol

Highway 1 stops hugging the coast a little north of Rockport, where it turns northeast toward Leggett. This 53 mile stretch of uphill curves took us over the mountain away from the coast.

The road was freshly paved which provided for an amazing ride. About 10 miles in, I hear "Oh F*ck" in my helmet intercomm. I couldn't see Kate in my rear view so I was like "what the hell happened back there ?!?". In the calmest voice ever, Kate said "I kinda went off the pavement a little in that last turn". OMG WHAT ?!? "Are you OK Kate ?". "I think I recovered. I honestly don't know what happened. Whoopsie". 

Ladies & gentleman - "off the pavement" was loose dirt with a like 500 foot drop thru trees. Our first drama of the ride.

To celebrate her stellar reactions and ability to keep her motorcycle upright, Kate had a half dozen BBQ'd oysters at the Peg House, our favorite lunch stop in Leggett:

The carnage after the fact:

Here I am in the Peg House garden, waiting on our food. Kate accused me of doing some kinda unladylike "spread" here. My positioning was intentional so I could escape the 4,000 bees pollinating in this section if need be.

While we were eating lunch, we met a couple from Surprise AZ who were traveling for the last 2 months in their RV with their 2 small poodles. They were the sweetest folks - we just love meeting these kinds of people on the road. Here is pic the woman took of the two of us (Kate is convinced the band behind us was a mother, father, son trio):

Leaving Leggett, we were breaking all kinds of laws around the speed limit on 101 north. The bikes just HUMMMMMM at 80+.....who could blame us.

We finally made it to Eureka, checked into our hotel (the Eureka Inn), showered up, and went out to find some adult beverages. We stumbled onto a super fun bar called North of Fourth:

If you are ever anywhere near Eureka and want a great cocktail, stop by and visit Erica, the owner & bartender; she is fun and her concoctions hit the spot !

#NorthOfFourth

Mine is the one with 3 olives. Kate only wanted one olive "cuz more than that takes up too much room where there could be booze".

After we hung with Erica for like an hour, we headed to The Roof Top for dinner. Highly recommended !

While walking around Eureka, we saw several wonderful murals - here is one on the side of the Performing Arts building:

Here is a mural on the side of a bar. 

Oh look - selfie time

And in case you were wondering - here is Wikipedia 1.0 (a plaque), explaining the WHAT of Eureka:

On our way back to the hotel after dinner, we saw a row of Harley's parked in front of the hotel. As we got closer we heard someone saying "...and that's a lady rider, and that's a lady rider..." pointing at several of the bikes. We piped in "we are lady riders too ! Who are you guys ?"

Well that lady happens to be Lorinda, a rider with Medicine Wheel Ride, and with her was Lucy, who is driving the trailer with all of the riders' gear in it. A pick of Kate and I with Lorinda (in red) and Lucy (in black):

The Mission Statement of the Medicine Wheel Riders:

"We are Indigenous Women Motorcyclists and Allies who create awareness events and fundraise for issues affecting our Indigenous Women and Relatives as well as issues in our Communities.

We support groups and advocates who search for missing persons and provide support services to women and their families."

https://www.medicinewheelride.org/

This group is riding to multiple cities leading up to an event in Sturgis to build awareness and to drive investment to support their mission.

Kate and I were FLOORED by their passion and commitment. But even more special for the 2 of us was their embracing these 2 strangers they met on the street as friends.

Both Kate and I not only got some of their SWAG, we were also each gifted with a pouch that carries particles that are meaningful to their tribes. We will carry these pouches close to our hearts and be forever grateful for connecting with this phenomenal group of women.

Coming from multiple Indigenous tribes and states, here is a pic of the group, with Kate and I as "photo op" guests:

Kate and I with Rosie, who gifted us the pouches:

Kate & Rosie:

The logo (on the side of the trailer that Lucy is evidently an expert at maneuvering); the red hand in the logo stands for all the missing sisters whose voices are not heard:

One of the bikes, adorned with special ribbons with the names of missing or murdered Indigenous people:

I sincerely hope our paths cross again with this group of women riders !

Here is our route for the day:

Tomorrow we head up the California coast, crossing into Oregon.