Once Upon a Ride: Last Chance to turn back

Peter Johnson crosses to the south side of Waddell Creek on Last Chance Road.

Oct. 12, 1986

Riders: Jobst Brandt, Ray Hosler, Peter Johnson, Mike and Jean Higgins, Charlie Kempner

Route: Alpine Road to Skyline, Hwy 9, 236, Last Chance Road, Swanton Road, Hwy 1, Cloverdale Road, Pescadero Road, Alpine Road, Page Mill Road

Tire/Mechanical Failure: None

This was the first ride I had been on with Jobst since his accident in France on July 11. Jobst has already gone on three Sunday rides, including trails. He appears to be as strong as ever after breaking his leg.

We headed out on Alma Street in Palo Alto, our usual route, and crossed El Camino Real. Charlie and I peeled off onto El Camino going north because we saw a cop turning left onto Alma from El Camino. Jobst and Peter charged ahead across El Camino, ignoring the cop. It’s illegal to cross here [that has changed].

The cop turned on his lights and stopped Peter, but Jobst rode on. Charlie and I caught up with Peter and listened in.

Cop: “You know you’re not supposed to do what you did. I’m not going to give you a ticket but I am going to give you a lecture.”

Peter: “Yeah, but officer how would you take that intersection? I’ve been doing it this way for 20 years. What did we do wrong?”

Cop: “What did you do wrong?! You should know! You crossed a divided road, ran a stop light and…”

The conversation carried on way too long.

After the lecture, we continued on our way up Sand Hill Road. We caught up with Jobst, and Mike and Jean riding their tandem on Alpine Road.

On dirt Alpine the bridge is still missing, but we managed to ride down into the creek and out without stopping [turns out it was just buried in debris]. There’s still a washout farther up.

At Skyline Charlie peeled off and went down Alpine while we continued south on Skyline into the fog, stopping for water at the fire station before Hwy 9.

In Big Basin state park we stopped to eat and discussed the road ahead. Jobst suggested Last Chance Road. After some protest from Jean about riding on dirt, she finally agreed and we were on our way. During their husband-wife discussion, Jobst burst out laughing at the familiar dialogue.

Last Chance had been graded all the way and was in better shape than I’ve seen it in a long time [it’s a trail now, but at least maintained.

I had to walk down the bad stretch that parallels Waddell Creek where we went for a swim a few years back, but Jobst and Peter charged ahead through the loose dirt and rocks. Mike and Jean walked down the hill.

We bumped along over the washboard on Last Chance Road out to the coast and then headed north without a headwind, so we made good time.

This was our first ride on Cloverdale Road since it was oiled and graveled.

At Loma Mar Store we stopped for a bite to eat and to talk with the owner, Roger. He told us about the time he stopped thieves and held them at gunpoint until the sheriff arrived.

We headed back up Alpine Road where Jobst caught up with Palo Alto photographer Bill Ziegler riding his bike. It was a lovely fall day in the late afternoon, a great way to end a 93-mile ride.