We’re underway finally (day 1)

Distance: 35 miles
San Francisco –> Samuel P. Taylor Campground

(I’m now writing this on morning of day 2.) Yesterday was a long day that began with us re-assembling the bikes in the hotel room and packing our panniers with all our possessions. Unsurprisingly, it took longer than we expected so it was something of a mad rush to beat the noon check-out time.

From the hotel we had to make a quick stop at the local REI store to pick up a few items we’d forgotten. Cycling through the lunchtime traffic on a laden bike was a little nerve-racking. The handling takes some getting used to – with only rear panniers, the front of the bike feels very light and “squirrelly”. After REI, we made a stop at the Rapha store on the way to the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s a superb space and delivered a dose of road cycling inspiration for the start of the tour (quotes adorned the walls “glory through suffering”, along with a collection of iconic photos of the peleton).

By 3pm we were properly on our way, dodging the crowds as we crossed over the Golden Gate Bridge. The bridge was completely clear of fog so we could really appreciate the vastness of it, and enjoy fantastic views back to San Francisco. Sausalito for a lunch stop (first of what I assume will be many cheese and salami rolls) and then onwards, away from suburbia towards the campground in the state park.

The hills were hard, I’m not going to lie. We were riding into a stiff headwind which as I keep joking with Pete, will keep us honest (there’s no hiding a lack of fitness then, ha!). We reached camp around 6.30pm, amongst the redwoods (albeit small ones). Several other cycle tourers were here so we already feel like a little community, sharing knowledge of the routes.

Ghirardelli Square, San Francisco

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Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco, viewed from the bleachers of the Aquatic Park.

My brother arrived from Melbourne last night. It’s been great to catch up again and talk and talk and talk. Tomorrow we pedal over the Golden Gate Bridge and northwards into Marin country where the adventure begins for real. I can’t wait!

In San Francisco

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I’m writing this from a hotel in the heart of Chinatown in San Francisco. The bike box and I arrived here last night after an uneventful flight from DC. My brother is currently in transit and due to arrive within a couple of hours. So far, so good. With some free time to explore San Francisco, I’ve been wandering around this hilly city on foot, gravitating towards the waterfront and that bridge, you know the one.

I’ve been dreaming of coming here for many, many years. SF has been on my shortlist of places (you know, we all have one) for such a long time so it’s a great feeling to finally make it here. The steep streets are unlike anything I’ve seen before. Lombard Street (“world’s crookedest”) was an interesting sight but thronged with tourists so I didn’t stay for long. It’s lovely to be near the ocean again, to smell that salt air, hear the breaking waves and squawking gulls, see vast the expanses of water and beyond, to distant hills. Today the bay was brimming with sailing boats, bent over in the stiff breeze.

The bridge stole the show of course. Even up close, I felt as if I was still looking at a picture. It’s vast, much bigger than I was expecting. Much taller. I took various photos from different vantage points as I got nearer. I suspect it will only feel “real” once I can lay a hand on the orange metal itself, when Pete and I cycle across it on Tuesday. Some further photos from today:

Also had some good (albeit distant) views of Alcatraz today:

Friday 13th adventure

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136 miles on 13/6 gettit? Ok, moving swiftly on. This was essentially the same route that I toured over two days last year, but done in one day. It gave a great and varied ride on quiet country roads, with plenty of interesting scenery along the way. I included an ascent of Sugarloaf mountain, the nearest “mountain” to DC and a personal favourite point to ride to. Any ride from home to Sugarloaf and back is a solid day out. The forecast was mixed, with warnings of isolated thunderstorms and flash flooding. As the following photos show, there was some heavy weather at times during the day but thankfully I managed to stay clear of anything serious, only getting caught a few brief showers.

Departing Rosslyn at 6.45am – dirty clouds overhead

Approaching Sugarloaf Mountain

Heavy storm clouds near to Sugarloaf Mountain

Waiting out the rain

Summit selfie – at the highest point the road attains (pretty near the actual top)

View from near summit of Sugarloaf

Bridge over Monocacy Scenic River

Corn dryer, Mountain Road, Virginia – the same corn dryer featured in last year’s tour

Purcellville, start of the W&OD trail

On the W&OD trail

Like Paper-Rock-Scissors, but the bike always loses

Flooding on the W&OD trail

Route

Strava route

Overnight bike adventure out of DC – Day 2

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Yesterday, June 16, Lexi and I cycled out of DC through the evening light to camp at Horsepen Campsite, along the C & O Canal, on our first bike tour together.

After a fun night camping beside the river, we were shaken from our slumber at 6 this morning by the unexpected sound of a truck rumbling into camp – the last thing I expected when we’re far into the woods with no road access. Turns out it was a trail crew coming in to empty out the port-a-loo (toilet) at camp. Following an inevitable snooze it was time to strike camp and return to DC. I’d been eaten alive by mosquitos the previous evening – I stopped counting at 30 bites.

The same slow puncture that caused problems yesterday evening persisted all the way home, so every couple of miles I had to stop to pump up the rear tyre, a rather frustrating process when repeated over and over. So it was that we returned home, stopping at various locks and sights along the way, taking photos, enjoying the woods and the river. It always amazes me that even on the shortest of tours, on familiar terrain, one always sees new things, enjoys new experiences or meets wonderful people. We saw plenty of wildlife, including herons, turtles, turkey vultures, northern cardinals, snakes, toads and fireflies. We met some fellow cyclists who had travelled all the way from Pittsburgh on the full C&O/GAP tour – an 8 or 9 day itinerary that is on our list.

We rolled into DC around lunchtime, having been out for less than 24 hours. In that time we’d cycled 60 miles and spent a night out in the woods. Pretty good for a Sunday evening.

Some photos from the day: