Adventures in aging with intention
The Alphabet Adventures with Nancy Hubbell Fournier (pronounced Fourn-yay)
Journey along with our resident humorist Nancy as she embarks on unusual adventures from A to Z. With the alphabet as her guide to new experiences, Nancy rates her excursions as a “Fourn-Yay” or “Fourn-Nay.” Got something fun on your bucket list she should try? We’d love to hear your suggestions at intentfullyfit@gmail.com.
Letter R – Riding the rails results in a relaxing adventure in nature.
“What’s that smell?” I thought. As we settled in for our maiden voyage on the Sunburst Railbikes in Santa Paula, Calif.
Joining me on my “R” adventure was founder of Intentfullyfit.com, Lisa Carey. When I asked Lisa if she wanted to accompany me, she enthusiastically replied, “I’ve always wanted to do that!!”
Then she said, “Gotta buff up my arms LOL!”
Huh? These railbikes are essentially electric bikes fitted to defunct railroad lines that you pedal/cruise through orange orchards, so I sent her a picture of what we would be riding.
“OMG. That’s so much better. I was thinking it was the rail handcar like in ‘O Brother, Where Art Thou.’” Since we are neither escaped convicts, nor Wile E. Coyote chasing the Roadrunner, the pedal cars were much more our speed.
Or so I thought.
We were pedaling along at a steady pace, but it was hard work to keep up with the railbike in front of us. Why was this so hard? How am I going to make it 15 miles? What have I gotten us into? And what is that smell?
Then the guides slowed our small group of bikes and casually approached Lisa and me. “I think you’ve got your handbrake on.”
Whoops! That smell was burning rubber. Did the guides go over all the aspects of the bikes prior to embarking? Yes, they did. Did we listen and take notes? Apparently not. There wasn’t really much to know. The bikes have three gears that are electrically assisted and can be adjusted depending on how much you want to pedal. There’s also a throttle button if you need an extra boost to get started or catch up with the group. And there’s a handbrake located between the seats, which should be released if you want to actually move.
The guides also made sure we each had a helmet, our seat belts were latched, and our personal items were secure in the baskets provided. The bikes even had cupholders!
After releasing the brake, we really got it in gear and had to NOT pedal to avoid crashing into the railbike in front of us. With the strain of hard pedaling eliminated, Lisa and I got to enjoy the surroundings and chatting with each other.
The train route begins at the charming original train depot in Santa Paula. The first part of the trip goes past some not-so-picturesque parts of town but soon, stunning mountain views, puffs of clouds, and rolling hills filled with impeccable farms made for relaxing sightseeing. As we made our way through the famed citrus and avocado groves of Ventura County, it felt like the land-locked version of Disneyland’s “Soaring Over California” ride, but without the orange scent being piped in.
We weren’t necessarily soaring, but with top speeds of 7-9 mph on the all-flat route, we were progressing at a good clip. Part of the fun of the journey was also the slowest part. As we approached busy streets, the guides would lead us to a stop as they controlled the railroad crossing bars to block traffic so the railbikes could proceed on the tracks. To try to ease drivers’ annoyance of having to wait for us to pass, we took it upon ourselves to wave cheerily and were often greeted with friendly honks (at least I think they were friendly).
Apparently, drivers weren’t always so patient. When Sunburst first started operating in 2023, the local California Highway Patrol office was flooded with queries and had to investigate if the railbikes were allowed to travel on the railroad tracks. All checked out and now motorists get to enjoy the view. Lucky them!
Halfway through our ride we stopped near an avocado grove equipped with picnic tables and a portapotty. We had the chance to relax, refresh and explore a little “but please don’t pick the fruit” implored the guides. An option at this site is to enjoy a picnic lunch or charcuterie board ordered in advance, or snack on goodies you packed yourself.
After the guides turned the bikes around, we started on the cruise home. Along the way, we stopped at Prancer’s Farm with a gorgeous selection of fruit, vegetables and other delicacies. Lisa and I enjoyed fruit popsicles and visited a variety of farm animals and even llamas. Or were they alpacas? Who knows?
The best part of the adventure was the opportunity to ride a bike and easily chat with my co-driver. There was no trying to balance on a bike while maintaining speed and distance, yelling over road noise. Did we get the same amount of exercise? Not a chance. But did we have a great time? You bet.
For about $100 a person, it was a lovely way to spend three hours with a good friend.
If riding through orange groves isn’t your jam, other adventures are available including “Railbikes in the Redwoods,” which departs from Ft. Bragg in Mendocino, CA, and RiverFox Train Railbikes which pedals along the Sacramento River and local farms and orchards.
Whichever adventure you choose, remember two things: Pick a great pedaling partner and don’t forget to release the handbrake!
Fourn-yay: This was a fun, easy adventure that allowed Lisa and me to share old memories and create new ones. Beautiful sights, lots of laughs and even some exercise made for a terrific day.
Fourn-nay: If you’re a hardcore biker, you might find this tour a bit of a snooze. The helmet and seatbelt were probably overkill, but I don’t have a good record with electric bikes, so I appreciated any and all safety measures.
Other R adventures to consider: rowing, rollerblading, rock climbing, raising backyard chickens (FYI – you can just buy eggs at the market).
Got something fun on your bucket list I should try? Share your suggestions to intentfullyfit@gmail.com
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