To set the mood, we invite you to click here and listen.

Soon after we left Gilroy this morning, Josh passed us.

Josh recently began to commute by bicycle. He loves the way it clears his head. Like most of his neighbors, he had no idea that poor asylum applicants are expected to present their cases without a lawyer. He’s a new friend of Human Rights First.

Attracted by this bright display, we stopped north of Morgan Hill.

Judith’s children are fluent in English and Spanish.  She hasn’t been to a big city, not even to Los Angeles, and was fascinated by the idea of biking from NYC.  Jeffrey bought fresh Fresno cherries from her, and she added some extra, for friendship.

Smooth flat roads and a gentle tailwind sped us to the well-paved, sunny/shady Coyote Canyon Trail.

About 8 miles in, a sign warned that the trail ahead was closed due to flooding.  Nancy and Melinda waved us back as we approached a flooded area.

Jeffrey told them about the Ride, and asked about alternative routes.  Then he walked barefoot into the stream, found it slow and shallow enough for the Sprint 26, and pushed the machine across.  Nancy and Melinda stood by in case of trouble.

Half a mile later, Jeffrey didn’t feel so smart.

Jeffrey reconnoitered. With some work, he thought he could get our machine through the water and past the woody debris. But there was no telling whether more barriers were around the bend. Jeffrey decided to return the way we had come.

Melinda had told us of an alternative on local roads. We backtracked a mile and found our way off the Trail.  We continued north and west through 18 miles of moderate traffic.

Silicon Valley!

We entered San Jose proper.

We pulled up at Julie’s and Nattie’s house.

I cavorted in relief.

Thus we ended the main part of our journey, among friends.

To reach San Jose, we pedaled 1,212 miles from Rio Rancho, New Mexico, through mountains and forests and farmland and deserts, on trails and roads of all kinds and conditions.  We would not have made it without your good wishes, kind comments, and moral support.

Before we close the books on the 7th Annual Ride for Human Rights, we will explore this area a little. We’ll take a break from nightly posts, but you will hear from us occasionally until Jeffrey gets the last word after we return home in about 2 weeks.

If you’d like to provide financial support to help Human Rights First protect refugees and promote American values, click here.

And please stay tuned. 😊