Training Ride 7/31: Nicasio to the Lighthouse and back

On July 31 I joined the Duros West group of Grizzly Peak Cyclists on their weekly Thursday ride.  Thanks to Mark for the ride to Nicasio.  We started in the small town of Nicasio in Marin County.  We headed out on Nicasio Valley Road and then west on the Point Reyes-Petaluma Road, going around the reservoir.  Like with the route to Drake's Beach, we continued on Platform Bridge Road and then on to Sir Francis Drake Blvd. over the hill to Olema.  We took Bear Valley to avoid traffic and then met up again with Drake. 

We stopped for a while in Inverness Park at Perry's deli to get sandwiches for lunch later.  My sandwich, by the way, was fabulous!

We continued on Drake almost to the beach, but instead of going straight you go to the right over rolling hills to the light house.  Lots of historic farms along the way and some very bumpy cattle grates. 

Despite being a Thursday, it was fairly crowded at the lighthouse.  It must be people on summer vacation.  We rode all the way to the visitor center and then ate lunch at the picnic table "overlooking" the lighthouse.  The fog was pretty heavy and we only got some occasional glimpses of the lighthouse.  It was somewhat windy, but not too bad.

On the way back, we saw some elk in the distance.

We reversed course to return, but detoured through Point Reyes Station to stop at Bovine Bakery.  I was still full from lunch, but took my treat to go.  Shelly got buffalo milk gelato at Toby's Feedbarn and Coffee Bar.  It is the same milk local cheese makers are making buffalo mozzarella.  He says the herd is at a ranch along the Pt. Reyes-Petaluma Road.

We returned to Nicasio via Pt. Reyes-Petaluma Road and Nicasio Valley Road.  I was happy to get out of the saddle.

It was a nice day out and pleasant temperature overall.  I even had a quick nap on the way back since I wasn't driving!

This little shrine is just at the end of the parking lot for Perry's deli in Inverness Park.

I only got a moment to snap this picture of the ocean at the lighthouse before the fog came back.  Yup, that's my finger.  I wasn't able to take a better photo due to the fog.

Stats:
62.99 miles
3,245 feet elevation gain