LEAVING YOSEMITE

Classic View - on the way to Wawona

DATE:  Tues, Oct. 18, 2011
HOME: Fish Camp, Tenaya Lodge
DISTANCE: 36 miles
ALTITUDE: 4,000ft
WEATHER:  Perfect
NARRATIVE:
We hated to leave the comfort and luxury of The Ahwahnee, but move on we did – to Tenaya Lodge just outside of Yosemite.  We wanted to stay at Wawona, one of my favorite places in Yosemite, but they were full.  So we opted for lunch instead.  And, much to our surprise, a big sign saying “vacancy” greeted us at the entrance.  We were told that guests left early today.  Oh, well, our hotel tonight is comfortable – just characterless.

The ride up to Wawona was fun and beautiful.  The climb never got over 8%, most was 5,6% - and our legs are now strong enough that we can climb these grades for quite a distance.  After climbing 2,000ft we had a fun downhill to Wawona, but the last climb  after a long, relaxing lunch was not easy.

The chef at Wawona is a bicyclist and came out to talk to us – gave us some advice on our route for the next couple of days, especially through Bass Lake.  He didn’t like the Adventure Cycling Route and said the other side of the Lake was a better road. We've found many mistakes on these maps so we'll probably heed his advice.

Another great day of cycling!