FOOTHILLS ABOVE FRESNO

Foothills above Fresno

DATE:  Thurs, Oct. 20, 2011
HOME: Gena’s Place, off 180 near Clingan’s Junction
DISTANCE: 54 miles
ALTITUDE: 3200 ft
WEATHER: Perfect in the AM, then HOT
NARRATIVE:
After a great breakfast at Auberry, we were on our way with another great descent.  Unfortunately, we were enjoying the descent so much we missed the turn-off to Pine Flat Lake.  I noticed the turn but Bob was already sailing downhill – it took me a couple of miles to catch him.  Turns out, it was no problem in that there was another way to go, which was shorter.  This one went further down towards Fresno on beautiful, empty rural roads.  While probably not quite as scenic as ACA’s route the ranches and farms in the area were quite prosperous.   We also found some local conservation action – one was savethefoothills.com – save the valley from a mega power station.  It’s a beautiful area and would be an absolute shame if a power plant were built there. The other was to save a canyon and mountain off 180 just outside of Fresno from Mining. The increase in traffic and pollution would again destroy an area.

Once we got onto 180 in the foothills above Fresno we had only 15 miles (most of our uphill), and it was HOT (85 degrees) with hardly a tree in site.  I bonked – and Bob saved me by becoming my SAG!  He took my front panniers and tied them to the top of his rear rack.  He was feeling great – even with the extra weight.  We did eventually make it to our destination, a cute restaurant with a small motel with closet-sized rooms.  But Gena, the young woman who owns and runs the place mostly by herself, has decorated the closet so that it’s homey and comfortable.  We had a great dinner .  It’s good that this all turned out OK since it’s the ONLY place to stay until we get to the park – 18 miles and 4200 ft.  Tomorrow’s ride!