Sneaky Tuesday and the Golden Gate Bridge
Sneaky Tuesday
A couple weekends ago we had two storms come in back to back over the weekend. That was when I planned a long ride of 40 to 50 miles as training for my upcoming Solvang half century. I was annoyed that the weather was ruining my training plans, particularly when, come Monday, the weather turned gorgeous.
I managed to arrange my Tuesday so I could take off around one o’clock, then return to work after dinner for four more hours. My co-worker riding friend joined me and we ended up doing a Calavares Loop from my place. It was a beautiful day to ride. Going out the traffic was light, however returning we started to get some commuter traffic.
What surprised me was how many cyclist we saw out there on a Tuesday afternoon! I kept thinking, ‘who are these people that they can ride around on a Tuesday afternoon’….never-mind that I was one of them.
I felt great after 40 miles and 1310′. Of course the downside was that I had to immediately hit the computer again for another four hours of work. But I got my ride in and it was a splendid escape.
I like Sneaky Tuesday….I may try that again.
Golden Gate Bridge
One more weekend ride before Solvang! Saturday’s ride was a group ride starting at Crissy Field (San Francisco) and going over the Golden Gate Bridge, through Sausalito, and Tiburon, then returning via Paradise Dr and Corte Mardera. The ride had many options so I wasn’t entirely sure what I was going to actually end up doing. With a group of about nine riders (most training for the Coast Classic in September), we headed off around 9.30a towards the bridge.
Having lived in the Bay Area for 10 years now, this was actually my first time over the Golden Gate Bridge outside of the easy comfort of a four wheeled vehicle. The ride over was scenic and fun. The weekend bridge rules have walkers on the east side of the bridge and cyclist on the west side so it makes it a bit safer for all.
North of the bridge was an awesome ride, the views of the water and San Francisco as well as the tree lined, low traffic roads we mostly traveled made for a really nice ride. Physically I felt really comfortable on the ride - this gave me a huge confidence boost for the upcoming Solvang ride.
Returning on the Golden Gate Bridge was another story! -yikes-
By the afternoon it is a little windier and lot more crowded with local cyclists and tourist on rental bikes. I had a few scary moments, enough to make me decide that I’ve been there - done that as far as crossing the bridge goes. I don’t think I need that life experience again. It didn’t add significantly to the ride, other than the opening awe factor and ending fear factor.
The ride turned out to be 45 miles. I can’t remember the elevation, but it was around 1500-2000′
…Solvang here we come…
Tags: bay area, bike, Bike Rides, calaveras, fitnessRelated posts
Sneaky Tuesday… I like that idea!