When I told everybody I was doing this trip, they all said “come by and us”. It may be overnight couch surfing or a short visit for an hour or two. When I left Pleasanton, I tried to take as many light traveled roads as possible. In an urban area as this, almost impossible. The best I could do was travel up Vasco Road and head for the town of Antioch. Vasco Road has the reputation of being a fast and dangerous road and many have met their end on it. It’s a narrow two lane in most spots with some improvement in the past. It’s one of those commute corridors that is the “shortcut” for a lot of people. It does have its open and scenic area that makes it a pretty ride. Since I was on the road in the late weekday morning, travel was not bad.
Jim, Margie, and Roy
In Antioch, I stopped by to visit more high school alumni, Margie and Roy. It was good to visit for a while and catch up on things. They have been retired for a while and are enjoying their grand kids like the rest of us do.
After a leisurely lunch, it was time to get back out on the road. The best way for me to head toward Sacramento is over the delta and ride along the Sacramento River. There is no break for us motorcyclists going over a toll bridge at commute time. It used to be free for motorcycles but now we pay the freight of $5.00 to cross even at commute hour. The one great thing about crossing the Antioch bridge is the height. It’s only 135 feet high at mid span but sure feels higher as you cross it. Most of the time when I’m using this bridge there is lots of wind at the top. Pretty typical for the Carquinez Straight.
As you go down on the North end you approach Sherman Island, Brannan Island, and probably a few more that will remain nameless. If you get a chance, take a ride to the Ryer Island ferry. It’s free and takes you on a short hop across the river. You can reach it by going up River Road about 2 miles north of Rio Vista. There are many roads in the delta worth exploring and even getting lost on. Hopefully you have a good map or GPS to help you out if needed. Highway 160 winds along the Sacramento river and takes you all the way to Sacramento. Once you get to the Freeport area, the highway veers away from the river. One of the neat aspects of traveling Highway 160 is going through some historic towns. Isleton is a small town that contains a variety of old two story buildings in various stages of repair or disrepair. There is a Crawdad Festival every summer that seems to crowd every person in the state there for the weekend. If anything, you have to go for the food. Crawdads made every way conceivable and of course, the art and craft goodies. Further North is Ryde. There is a hotel there that you can’t miss because of the desert pink paint. I have not been there personally but hear the weekend brunch is to die for. Further North is the town of Locke. This was a huge settlement of Chinese workers in the early days of California. Plenty of narrow streets and buildings that have stood for many years. On Main Street there is a bar and restaurant called “Al the Wops”. A very eclectic and wonderful place to eat or just wet your whistle. Be sure to ask them how all the money was placed on the ceiling.
When I was still working, I would take this highway between Sacramento and Fairfield as much as possible when time permitted. It sure beats the boring ride of Interstate 5.
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