We drove the five miles back to the Junction of US Hwy 101 and Hwy 1 - to start the ride across the Golden Gate Bridge to San Francisco.
Our first stop for the morning was across the Golden Gate to a cafe near the Presidio to meet some friends of Jerry's. On a short riding day, you can enjoy coffee and a pastry. Yum
In the past weeks, Kathi and I have been pretty much on the same roads as the guys - well, maybe not all the guys. Today, the cycling route did not follow a major highway, instead kept to smaller arterials - less traffic, a few less hills, our meeting point would be Pacifica. A quick snack for the riders and off on the road toward Half Moon Bay. The route today was helped along by an organized ride for the Arthritis Foundation - The California Coast Classic (CCC) - hundreds of riders all in the same jersey, with great signage for the route - going the same direction! Sure helps to keep everyone on the right route.
Kathi & Tracy met up in Half Moon Bay, bike on the car and headed up Hwy 92 toward Orinda - our destination. Tom & Jerry rode a few extra miles to round out 50 miles for the day.
Cycling Notes:
Jerry's notes:
Today was fun for several reasons. First was riding over the Golden gate bridge. This was made even more exciting because literally hundreds of MS 150 riders were crossing the same narrow sidewalk going the opposite direction! Dicey to say the least. Second highlight was meeting with Greg and Joleen Edwards, good friends from home in a nearby cafe in Pacific Heights for coffee and rolls. Greg and Joleen are on an unusual mission in retirement, rent and live for several month in a different city every year, and they are now experts on S.F. Thanks Edwards for making the effort to visit us!
Tracy was right behind us most of the day with one exception. We told him to follow the CCC riders in the green jerseys and with yellow signs marking the route. They had several hundred riders spread out over many miles, were going to Santa Cruz and we simply had to follow them. Well all of these riders including Tom & I managed to make a right turn and go around a giant headland overlooking the sea right before going into a tunnel on our way to Half Moon Bay, Of course Tracy missed the turn and rode undaunted into the tunnel! He survived and beat us to the town on the other side of the hill. Dumb luck or sheer stupidity?
Tracy' Notes:
I had as much fun today as at any time on the trip. Started off with a tough five miles through Sausalito on the way to the Golden Gate then across the Gate dodging hundreds of bikers going the other way. Tom and Jerry led the way through Golden Gate Park and then a marvelous flat stretch through the fog along Ocean Beach. Don't believe the stuff about getting confused with a tunnel. Anyone knows that a tunnel through a mountain is going to be a shorter route than going around the mountain. That was my choice. It was also fun coming into Half Moon Bay--bumper to bumper traffic. Loved just blowing by them.
Notes from Tom:
Today was one that I had worried about--not about hills or wind or rain--but about riding through or even close to a city the size of SF. So much traffic and opportunities to get lost. All of those worries were put to rest as the Adventure Cycling maps led us to the bridge, off the south end, through The Presido and Golden Gate Park.
No impressive stats, but here they are. 49.6 miles, 3 hours and 46 minutes, a surprising 2800 feet of climbing, and 13.1 mph average speed.
Rest days are a chance to not only rest, but do something other than get up, eat breakfast, ride, eat, ride more, eat more, and ride to the end. Then get to the motel, shower, relax for a few minutes, before eating again and then doing this blog. At 5:30 the next morning it all starts again. Hooray for this rest day.
Our night destination: Orinda - on the east bay at the home of Lindsay & Laurie Lautz. As I begin the blog, the USC v Arizona State game is on and not much enthusiasm for the blog. Duh!
Tomorrow is a full rest day. No alarms, just relaxation and visiting with friends.
When we go to SF DeeDee or Mike or Anders do the driving. I cannot imagine being on a bike with those drivers.
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