Day 20 & 21: Crossed the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco!

On Monday we rode from Bodega Bay to San Francisco, CA.  Everyone was very excited and looking forward to the ride. Although we've ridden over 1,000 miles and crossed 2 state borders, the ride into San Francisco felt like a milestone for many of us.  Maybe it was the excitement of entering the city after so many days (and miles) in rural towns on 2 line roads or perhaps it was the thrill of actually being able to ride our bikes across the Golden Gate Bridge. Whatever the reason, there was an air of excitement as we loaded up our gear, checked the air in our tires, and prepared to depart Bodega Bay. The ride was 70.6 miles and several of us decide to take a 20 mile bump in the van so that we could enjoy the sights along the way and still arrive in San Francisco early enough to relax. Well, things didn't quite work out that way with a number of mechanical problems, minor crashes, and directional difficulties. Although it took a few hours longer than planned it was still a lovely ride and we arrived safely at our hotel at Fisherman's Wharf around 4 pm. Today is a rest day, which is exactly what I plan to do after I finish my laundry! 

The ride into San Francisco included several stops for mechanical repairs. Fortunately, our guide Cye was riding with us and was able to diagnose and repair some of the minor problems, but a slight crash meant a stop at the nearest bike shop to get Peg's tire trued so that the brake pads weren't rubbing the rim and making an already challenging ride even more so. 

A WomanTours reflective logo and flashing light off the rear of my bike.

The cue sheet for the ride into San Francisco was nearly 4 pages and required a number of stops to make sure we were on the correct route. I've never been a follower, but one of the things I've loved about the trip is being able to turn over  responsibilities to others (so unlike my usual need to be in control) and to trail at the back of pack rather than feeling the need to lead.  

A bike parked outside a coffee shop in Fairfax, CA

Houseboats in Sausalito, CA

A view from the bike path as we prepare to make our way onto the Golden Gate Bridge.

View from the Golden Gate Bridge looking eastward towards the Bay Bridge and Treasure Island.

As we neared the end of the Bridge I stopped to take this photo looking towards Fort Mason and Fisherman's Wharf.

Looking back towards the Golden Gate from the bike path leading into San Francisco.  The weather was AMAZING!  Not a cloud in the sky and temps were in the 70s.

Guess where this was taken?

Freshly steamed crabs

Giant crab at Fisherman's Wharf

One of the many street entertainers at Fisherman's Wharf.  

View from the top of the cable car line looking back towards Alcatraz Island. Although many people know Alcatraz as a former federal penitentiary popularly known as "The Rock," few know that in 1894 19 Hopi men from the village of Oraibi were imprisoned on Alcatraz Island. Why? The U.S. government wanted to "Americanize" the Hopi and imprisonment became the government's principal means of intimidation and punishment of those who resisted. The education of children was the centerpiece of a U.S. government policy of Manifest Destiny, and it was fiercely resisted by Hopi people. For more information about the imprisonment of Hopis on Alcatraz, click here. 

I was thrilled to come across an In-N-Out Burger amid all the seafood restaurant at Fisherman's Wharf. After 20 days of bicycling I felt justified in enjoying a double-double, french fries, and a chocolate shake without having to worry about calories!