30 May Day 1 - San Fancisco to Corral Hollow: 85.6 km @17.2 km/h
After unsuccessfully trying to post back some gear I had sent to David and Kat (left with Kat for my office to arrange air freight since it wouln't fit on my bike), Kat dropped me off at the N. end of the Golden Gate bridge. Here is the photo to prove it. Those who attended my 40th birthday party will recognise the shirt that Lis gave me - to be worn in special occassions like this. It is the one that survived my being sawn in half by the magician (yes, I'm a 40 year old kid).
All the gear was loaded onto my bike and away I went. Boy does it handly differently with 15 kg of camping gear and clothes with a little food squirrelled away.
I cycled downhill to the observation platform before the bridge and admired the structure. VERY impressive bit of engineering. Especially when you think it was done 70 years ago. Lots of tourists taking photos and my bike attracted a lot of attention. I refrained from telling people that I had only cycled 1200 m, and that was downhill, preferring to focus on my goal of 10 weeks cycling.
Cycled across the bridge on a nice wide sidewalk, dodging the tourists who were meandering all over the place and had another photo taken by a Japanese tourist at the S end of the bridge.
From there it was along the waterfront to San Francisco. It was wonderful to have started my travels. The problems of work were (hopefully) behind me; I was feeling free with no plans to speak of for the next 10 weeks; it was a sunny day and I had a tail wind. I wore a great smile on my face.
Cycling along the waterfront I found my way past Fisherman's Wharf and other famous landmarks. There were galleries and fancy shops but, not being a city person, I couldn't wait to escape to the country.
I needed to cross the bay again so took the BART underground. It was very difficult. Firstly, I had to find my way down to the station via a well hidden lift. Then I needed to buy a ticket which required small bills, none of which I had. The woman at the desk was most helpful "go upstairs to get change", ignoing the fully laden bike. After jamming the machine by putting in too much money (exact change meant just that) I managed to get a ticket. Only took me 30 mins+. It was then down some LONG stairs to the lower platform where I caught the train to Union City.
From Union City I cycled out into the country through the town of Niles. A quaint place with lots of antique shops with Charlie Chaplin images everywhere. Up the Niles Canyon road I was finally free of the urban sprawl. It was a great road with a 1 m wide shoulder, mild grades and a river with lots of trees on the side next to me. Good to be alive.
The road ended at the Interstate and so I had to turn back and follow a side road. Called 'Foothill Road' it was well named. Steep grades in places but another delighful ride with lots of trees and a stream next to the road. Was suprised to find HUGE houses around some corners. Talk about urban sprawl. When I got to Pleasanton I found a park with a fountain so stopped to refill my water bottles. It was so nice with the birds singing that I lay down in the shade and read my book for 15 mins. Cycle touring is so self indulgent.
I was now entering an area where grapes are grown and there were vineyards everywhere-hence the name Vineyard road. Due to my late start I decided to alter my route. I passed through Livermore-home of the famous Lawrence Livermore laboratories which developed the atom bomb and still do high tech work-and from there headed up a road marked with three chevron on my cycling map=steep grades. The following is an example of the terrain with the hills I had to cross.
The map was correct and it was a winding, steep road with little traffic. I grunted and groaned all the way up (well, not really but it sounds good) and thoroughly enjoyed the ride down where I hit 65 km/h. Not far from the bottom I found the 'Carnegie Off Road Motorcyle Park' which is a recreation area for trail bike riders. A friendly ranger showed me the camp site and let me stay for free. There were only a few others so it was quiet except for the cars on the road, which were few and far between once night fell.
It was my first night in my one-man tent and it took a bit off fiddling to get it up correctly. One enjoys luxurious accomodation when cycle touring (see below), but it is all one wants since it has to be carried on the bike. The tent fly covers my bags and there is enough room for me, my sleeping bag and thermarest. And not much else. Unfortunately there was no shower but washed off as best I could. Good thing Lis wasn't here to complain about the grot.
