Today's ride began where all great bike tours begin and end - the Golden Gate Bridge.
In the past, this bridge has served my friends and I as the beginning of the North Route for the Journey of Hope, a cross-country cycling trip to raise funds and awareness for The Ability Experience, a non-profit that raises funds and awareness for people with disabilities. Additionally, my last trip (from Seattle to San Francisco) in 2015 finished here.
After taking some photos with my friends J and Brian, it was time to go! A huge adrenaline rush hit me as I rode out of the parking lot. I tried to sustain and relish that emotional high for as long as possible to gather momentum through The City.
Biking through San Francisco was fantastic. Beginning with the familiarity of my home city allowed me to focus on spinning my pedals and enjoying the surroundings, as I cruised past Baker Beach and down 25th Avenue to Golden Gate Park. J and Brian took some photos along the way, which will hopefully soon make it into the album below!
The ride through GG Park and past Ocean Beach amped me up for the rest of the day, helping me through some headwinds and over some hills as I rode out of SF and Daly City, and towards Pacifica. A pause to take in the endless ocean views and blue skies at Devil’s slide, where a couple bicycle tourists I met were resting to whale watch during today's leg of their honeymoon.
After this point, the ride was a breeze. Despite that, due to my late morning start it was mid-afternoon by the time I got to Barbara’s Fish Trap, a must-stop for seafood in Half Moon Bay. My parents and the family dogs, Saeby and Belle, met me there for a late lunch, where we had the irresistible fish and chips along with a tasty ceviche.
Stomach full and yearning to kick off my shoes, I enjoyed the California Coastal Route bicycle path along the coast until I reached Half Moon Bay State Beach.
While the 33 miles on Day One were not the most intimidating I would face, the emotions and logistics of beginning the trip and getting out of San Francisco meant that I was ready to settle down and recharge!
For $8 I got a hiker/biker campsite within 100 feet of the sand, and a warm shower. Joined once again by my folks and dogs for a vibrant sunset, I was excited and grateful to know that another two weeks of enjoying the California coast was on its way!
