Bodega Dunes State Beach to San Francisco, California

The Golden Gate Bridge

Thursday, May 15, 2014
Bodega Dunes State Beach to San Francisco, California
80 miles

AWESOME!

Just when you think things can't get better - they do!  The weather is holding, we are getting stronger, the really monster hill climbs are behind us and our goal of reaching the Golden Gate Bridge is within reach.  We woke up feeling optimistic and excited to put in a long day and make a push for the Bridge.

The Birds Cafe - Bodega Bay

Our day began with another roller coaster ride along Bodega Bay and then through farmland.  Traffic was really quiet, so we had time to relax and enjoy the ride.  We were riding strong when the POPS SAG vehicle passed us.  We had vowed not to stop to eat or rest until that van passed us.  We were determined that they would see us RIDING!

Against all odds, we arrived in a little town named Tomales and reunited with the POPs riders, the SAG crew and our favourite gals - Marie and Sophie. The POPs gang showed great hospitality and broke out the cookies and a round of ice cold water.  It was an inspiring break as we all laughed and gorged on cookies!

Sharing a laugh with Marie and Sophie

For the rest of the morning we rode together, and were even joined by another SAG vehicle and
riders who were on a guided tour.  We became known as Canada - and every time a rider passed us we get a hearty GO CANADA GO.  The camaraderie was great - and it helped Rob and I to pick up our pace.  (not that we are competitive).

Point Reyes Station served as our picnic lunch spot, and as an added touch we decided on a chocolate blast to ensure we would reach the Bridge.  Enough said about chocolate!

Guilt free chocolate indulgence

It was a really long unseasonably hot afternoon and although Rob was really riding strong, I was beginning to wonder if I had enjoy juice to make the Bridge.  My mind was willing, but my legs felt like anchors.  Just when I was feeling about done, we began a long, steep descent to Fairfax.  We hopped off our bikes to walk the stretch through town and chatted with all kinds of people.  We always enjoy walking through the small towns as a way to meet locals and to soak in the town atmosphere.

The bike culture in the area is outstanding.  Signage about giving riders space, well signed bike routes and so many people on two wheels.  It was just what we needed to recharge the batteries.  We received all kinds of honks, waves and thumbs up as we made our way through town.  We stopped at a little store for a Popsicle break, and a young man approached us.  He said that he saw our panniers and just had to stop by.  He had cycled to Panama last year, and was eagerly saving money to fund his next tour.  We remarked on the local bike culture and he told us that this is the area where mountain biking was born.

Our route took us through Larkspur, Marin City and Sausilito....cute boutiques, restaurants, stores - many reasons to get off the bike and poke around.  As we rounded the corner in Sausilito we got our first, and unexpected glimpse, of the San Francisco skyline.  We were blown away!  We both let out a triumphant roar.  It must have been quite a roar, because a passing road cyclist pulled a U turn and came back to us to ask if we would like our picture taken.  What a great guy!

First view of the San Francisco skyline from Sausilito

As we cycled along this stretch, we were actually held up in traffic - not car traffic, but bike traffic.  You have to love gridlock in the bike lane!

We were so close to the bridge now that we had new found energy in our legs.  Just one more climb and we would be there.  And what a climb it was! We ascended 746 feet to the summit of Hawk Hill in the Marin Headlands of the Golden Gate National Recreation area.  The climb was worth every single bead of sweat as we took in panoramic views of the Golden Gate Bridge, downtown San Fran and the entire Bay Area.  SPEECHLESS!

Giggle of the day:

In true RJ fashion, we arrived at the scenic lookout overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge and hopped off our bikes in order to capture the moment with a picture.  Rob pulled out the camera, took a couple of fantastic shots...and then let out a 4 letter word.  The camera battery was dead!  Can you believe it.....  840 miles, 8 sets of brake pads, countless hill climbs, endless litres of water to arrive at our destination ......and a dead camera battery.  We both burst out laughing!  Luckily, we had our phone with us for emergency use, so we pulled it out and took the shot.

Things seem to come in threes, and so with the sun setting, we continued up Hawk Hill in search of the Hiker/Biker campsite.  We then met a group of cyclists who told us the campsite was full.  Dark was quickly approaching, and so it was time for Plan B.  Unfortunately, we didn't have a plan B.  It was then that Rob remembered one of our customers had done a similar tour and had given Rob their cue sheet.  Rob had thrown it in his pannier as an after thought.  We dug it out and found detailed directions to a hotel in San Fran.  With cue sheet in hand, head lamps on bright we made our way down Hawk Hill and across the Golden Gate Bridge in the dark!

Crossing the Golden Gate bridge in the dark

To say it was exciting is an understatement.  What a thrill.  With our headlamps shining brightly we negotiated our way through the city and found the Presidio Travelodge and fingers crossed hoped for a vacancy sign.  There was room at the Inn!  I suppose it was meant to be.

Last, but not least, we find ourselves in San Franciso....we have more than a week of vacation time left and a few pennies in our pockets...and so, we ask what would you do?