It was a chilly start to our second ride in the festive 500. We could see only one of the bridges as we rode out along the Embarcadero.
When we stopped at the usual vista point, the visibility was not quite what it usually is. Can you see SF in the distance? Me neither.
While riding across the Golden Gate bridge, I snapped a selfie (acting like a tourist) just to show how thick the fog was.
While we were getting our bikes ready in the garage this morning, Janeen commented how difficult it would be to change a flat tire if we were riding in a place with snow or freezing temperatures. We may complain about the “cold” or the fog, but we know we really have it easy. There’s been very little rain this year, too.
Maybe that was a jinx? Janeen has only had three flat tires EVER (over 3 1/2 years riding). Last year, I got more than that in one month. And for her previous two, people she was riding with were much too nice and changed the tube for her, so she said she didn’t know how to do it. No time like the present: I took photos and provided coaching. The most difficult part is finding what caused the flat (ie a piece of glass stuck in the tire). The fix was successful; and over ten cyclists asked us if we needed help as they rode by.
Pumping up the tire is the most work, actually, and I did help with that a bit. Lots of people use carbon dioxide cartridges to pump tires: It’s very fast, but you have to carry around these heavy little single use metal tubes.
The fog makes the bike path through the Bothin marsh preserve otherworldly. All the houses on the hills nearby are obscured. Someone has decorated an old tree stump with Hanukkah balls 😉
We noticed the fog start to clear as we passed Larkspur. Then a beautiful blue sky opened up as we rode into China Camp state park.
The oak trees in the park are really beautiful. This park is known for hiking and mountain biking trails. We just ride a loop around it on the road.
On the way home, the fog had cleared. While still chilly, the same marshlands that were shrouded in fog looked totally different:
Almost home: the trees in the Presidio.
When we get home, Bella loves to snuggle while I geek out on the ride data…
