The best 32 miles yet.
It was going to be hard to stay focused, if the rain was willing I was going to make it into San Francisco via the Golden Gate Bridge.
Waking up I could hear the pounding rain. So I waited, had some warm breakfast, adjusted my brakes and waited some more.
I’ve gotten used to the rain, or at least used to the routine of waiting and watching the sky. Finally there was a break in the weather so I slid my leg over my beg as easily as I could and began to head south.
The ride through Marin was different, stores everywhere – three bike shops, tons of other cyclists, grocery stores that were opened all year around. Then I heard someone yelling my name.
Up to this point no one had known who I was. Stalkers? Friends? Even better, my two cousins Alice and Katharine. They had been following the red dot and tracked me down. It was awesome to see them in a car next to me smiling and yelling.
But I still had a few miles to my next stop so I asked if I was going in the right direction – a worry today as I was going through an urban area – I was. I kept my legs moving.
Then I went rogue and left the well marked bike trail for my next stop, my grandmother’s. Thankfully my cousins were waiting outside as I had a little trouble finding the place but they were able to hail me in. Then I had something I hadn’t had in a long time some home cooking. We all sat and ate and got caught up – new jobs, graduations, vehicles. It was great.
As we talked the rain had started again. So again, I waited and again there was a break and again I bolted. It was getting harder and harder to stay focused. For the past three weeks I had ridden wondering if I would make it this far. The Golden Gate Bridge was a few long miles ahead.
After a couple of road detours and some lucky guesses I could now see the bridge. As I road up towards the bridge entrance tourists began nudging their spouse pointing out the crazy guy that was riding with gear strapped to his bike.
Finally, I made it to the Golden Gate Bridge. I’ve driven, walked, even road a bike across the bridge before but this was completely different – I had made it to San Francisco from Rockaway, OR. Over 800 miles to get to this bridge.
Towns passed:
Woodacre (pop. 1,393)
Fairfax (pop. 7,319)
San Anselmo (pop. unknown)
Kentfield (pop. unknown)
Larkspur (pop. 12,014)
Corte Madera (pop. 9,100)
Mill Valley (pop. 13,600)
Marin City (pop. unknown)
Sausalito (pop. 7,330)
San Francisco (pop. 776,733)
I’m not sure if I’ll be riding on Tuesday. It depends on what I think about the weather heading south (I have no desire to continue riding in rain) and my knees. TBD next week.
Trivia winners:
I received a number of good answers to yesterday’s trivia question. The correct answer I was looking for was oyster beds.
Virginia S., a first time trivia answerer but long time reader and supporter, had the correct answer.
Graham J. a local from Marin county correctly answered and also has provided strong lodging options to me as I ride.
In addition to providing food and drinks for my trip through Marin Marjorie J. also had the correct answer.
Tobasco, a man who reminds me it’s ok to not shower everyday, had a good guess with Tsunamis trackers.
Happy Kat, a regular contributor also had a good guess with lobster or shrimp nets.
I would also like to make a very special mention of Kelley S., a local tennis pro. She has gotten previous trivia correct but alas I forgot to mention her name.
sellers
Hooray Sellers! What a HUGE accomplishment. Well done friend. Enjoy your rest. =)
ReplyDeleteYou are awesome, Sellers! Ride on!
ReplyDeleteOkay, I'm taking a stab at trivia question 12:
ReplyDeleteWhat is Shelter Cove?
:)
Hola Sellers,
ReplyDeleteEspero que tengas un fin de semana muy tranquilo y que tengas la oportunidad de descansar.
Una vez más, creo que es increíble lo que estas haciendo y te deseo mucha suerte.
S
Sellers - way to go!! Are you still here in SF? -Roger 415.298.2493
ReplyDeleteYou are too modest: "I'm not a great writer, but as long as I'm doing something unusual, people might be interested in reading." Dude, right now there are probably 100 of us hanging on your every word--we would read a blog post about you brushing your teeth at this point. But there you go leaving us hanging all weekend, being all coy, like, "let me wait until I have something impressive.".
ReplyDeleteThe answer to the trivia question is my nuts.