Category: festive500

We’d completed most of the mileage this week already, so this was supposed to be a simple loop around San Francisco, with an early stop at the Greens restaurant “to-go” counter. We slept in, and left about an hour later (waiting until Greens opens at 9am). We got there at 9:30 and the doors were locked — there was a note on the website that brunch was starting later today. Janeen was super disappointed, and kept talking about how much she’d been looking forward to this. But we headed on. Instead of doing the full SF loop, though, I figured we could double back when we hit half way.

The sun was out as we rode up to the Presido, and Janeen’s legs were clearly not interested in doing much more cycling this week. Surprisingly, my legs felt strong today, so I did a couple of all-out sprints up the two short bumps on the route.

From the Great Highway (along Ocean beach) we turned left into the Golden Gate park, and wound our way through. Part way along, we stopped into the Polo Fields bike track and did a couple of laps, before continuing on.

Then we cut back over to the Presidio, and went right back to Greens: To-go counter closed today and tomorrow 🙁 Luckily the farmer’s market was on, and we got a very tasty Falafel plate to share. I’d been planning to get a coffee, also, but the line was out the door at Equator. I made an espresso when we got home. #festive500 completed!

This has been a difficult year both personally for many of our friends and family, and politically. Riding our bikes has given me some time to reflect on the year, to try to put some of the losses into perspective, and to be thankful, also, for the good fortune I’ve had in life. Next year, I’d like to focus on doing something positive. Maybe we will ride and fund raise for AIDS/Lifecycle again. Maybe we’ll travel to visit our friends and family more. And hopefully we’ll get to ride our bikes just as much.

Happy New Year!

One of the main reasons I got hooked on cycling is my belief that bikes, actually, are the future: Cycling is the most efficient form of transportation invented by humans. I think we’re going to fart around with hybrid this and electric that for a few decades, but eventually efficiency will win.

So, initially, I looked down on recreational cycling, because I believed it was diminished: “Bikes are a hobby for your spare time, so infrastructure to support cycling is not as important as for something essential like cars.” Then I joined the AIDS/Lifecycle ride, and started training to ride to Los Angeles. I became a recreational cyclist too — with a cause and a destination. I found myself continuing the long recreational rides afterwards on a weekly basis.

About a year ago, after falling off my bike one too many times (sliding on wet road around a bend), I bought an indoor trainer. At first I just got it because I thought it would be a good way to maintain fitness without crashing during wet weather. So I started doing intervals and following training plans, sweating alone down in the garage. I’d also heard about a cycling computer game — Zwift — which puts thousands of cyclists worldwide simultaneously on a computer generated world.

I found myself riding 2-4 times a week on Zwift, even during the summer. And Janeen, too, has been riding around the virtual worlds. The incredible graphics fulfill my desire to see beautiful views while riding, and the safety and convenience allow me to fit more cycling into my week. I still use a bike as transportation to get around SF — and sometimes further — but most of my miles are recreational, and on Zwift, by a long shot. This winter, the rain hasn’t come to California as it did last year: It’s been a very dry winter so far. When the annual “Festive 500” challenge appeared, Janeen mentioned that she’d like to do it also. And here we are, one day away from the end of the challenge with 45km to go.

We haven’t had snow, ice, or even any rain to speak of over the last week. Both Janeen and I have ridden more miles on the road over the last week than any other week all year. So what is it I love about cycling?

I still love that it’s the most efficient form of transportation known to human kind. I love getting fitter and stronger even as I get older. I also love that I get out to see sights and places I would never go otherwise. And there’s a social side to it that I love: Every ride needs a destination involving food and/or coffee! I just love to ride somewhere with friends, and then sit and enjoy eating and talking, before riding home. It’s such a pleasure to me, that I just can’t understand how I managed the first 42 years without it!

So when we set out this beautiful chilly clear morning, headed for lunch in Woodside, you know I was looking forward to that lunch stop. We rode out through the Golden Gate park, and down the Great Highway.

The surfers were out riding waves as we rode by. No fog anywhere to be seen.

I planned this ride as a flat ride, but forgot how much elevation the rolling hills along Skyline rack up. The ride along Sawyer camp trail and around the reservoir was spectacularly beautiful — but damn cold. It must be ten degrees colder down in the valley.

We took a selfie standing on the reservoir dam. Actually, this is called “San Andreas Lake” (yes, directly on top of the San Andreas fault line).

Looking down into the valley below the dam, this haze hints at how cold it would be.

Crystal Springs reservoir is further down the valley.

As we were working our way up the grade before the downhill into Woodside, Janeen’s energy was starting to fade: I decided at that point that instead of retracing our path back to SF, we would take a flatter route along the bay side of the peninsula.

When we got to Woodside, Janeen went in to the market to get deli sandwiches while I stood outside with the bikes. While standing there, I noticed about five cyclists across the street sitting on the curb eating. Across another street, on the island, a couple of cyclists were trying to prop their bikes up as they tried to sit on the wall to eat. There is an acre of parking for so few shops, and absolutely nowhere to sit outside. No benches. Not even tables outside the market. We found a corner of the parking lot, and sat on some wood fencing while we ate our sandwiches and I griped about Woodside.

It took me a couple of hours riding after this for it to really sink in why I got so annoyed: I was missing my absolutely favorite part of the ride!

The road out of Woodside was a fast, smooth descent. It felt good to be escaping the town that just did not support my dream. On the way through Hillsborough, we happened upon this wonderfully painted traffic light control box. I really don’t like traffic lights (efficiency?), but if the control boxes are this beautiful, I can make an exception:

Riding past Oracle in the Baylands, I took a wrong turn, and we started winding along the Baylands heading south. We ran into a nice looking little cafe that is part of the library. When we went inside, the person working there was bandaging up a cut hand 🙁 Onwards.

Once we got back on track, we found “Creme Brewlee” – and I loved it. It’s the complete opposite of Woodside: Tables and chairs outside, inexpensive, unpretentious and lots of fun things to refuel on (mini muffins, chocolate filled beignets, coffee, and green tea soy latte for Janeen). We were happy cyclists.

We’re on to the third day of riding this week. This ride was shorter, but our legs were feeling tired. Paradise drive (often called the “Paradise Loop” or “Tiburon Loop”) loops around the Tiburon peninsula. It’s a go-to ride for many people who live in SF because it’s scenic, not too long, and generally has fewer cars, stop signs and traffic lights.

This is the first day we’ve left the house with clear skies. It was slightly colder today, but we stopped into a bike clothing store and Janeen bought a “snood” (or “neck gator”): it’s like a scarf you can pull up over your face. The store — Rapha — puts this festive 500 challenge on every year, so it was mobbed with cyclists getting ready to ride out together.

While we were catching a picture in the usual vista point stop, the 30 plus cyclists from the Rapha store rode by, waving.

When driving during this time of year, I have always felt that people are particularly nasty. There’s a big contrast between the ideal for the “season” and the fact that everyone is just trying to deal with all the societal requirements. That’s part of the reason, I think, that so many people love the festive 500 every year; avoid it all and go ride your bike.

Given my experiences driving, last year I was quite worried about how drivers would treat cyclists. But until today, it had been a dramatic opposite: People were courteous, friendly and happy. Today, though, drivers were particularly inattentive: Twice people opened their doors into us without looking. I’ve tried to develop a habit of riding well away from parked cars (out of the “door zone”), so luckily we avoided the doors. But many drivers look at cyclists doing this and get angry: they think we are riding too far into “their” lane.

While I was riding past some parked cars, a car passed me perilously close (within inches). I easily caught up with the car stopped at the next traffic light. When I knocked on the window, the driver opened the window and we discussed why she passed me so close: She felt I was too far away from the curb, and said she’d pulled all the way to the left of the lane when she passed. Don’t worry: There was no swearing or unpleasantness. Some people just don’t get it: She saved no time passing me, and if she’d just bumped me, I’d have been injured and she’d have been responsible.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdgVcGjzgR4

On the way back from the Tiburon loop, we took an alternative route up Strawberry drive: There’s a very steep section at the beginning, so most people ride it in the other direction only. Janeen was convinced she couldn’t make it, until we got to the top. Even with tired legs.

I feel a bit guilty showing these photos in the middle of winter: No wonder so many people live in Californa.

Arwen gave Janeen some recovery purring time when we got home…

We’re going to take Friday off: Need to let the legs recover a bit. Only 169 km to go!

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…

We woke up to my alarm clock — still dark. The “festive 500” has become an international tradition to ride 500 kilometers between Christmas and New Year. We are trying to complete it this year, so on day one, we planned to bite off a big chunk of it.

Janeen opened the curtains: a bright horizontal crack was forming where the sun should be rising. Even Bella wasn’t up yet. Arwen had her purr turned up to maximum: early breakfast!

I usually don’t drink coffee before a bike ride; but today? I turned on the espresso machine while I filled our water bottles.

We’d expected it to be cold (by SF standards, that is), so bundled up in our warmest cycling clothes before setting out. Riding across the city was peaceful and warmer than expected, with few cars driving, and the streets cleared of many of the parked cars that typically choke our city. The streets felt so wide.

There was no sun, just a dull uniform grey light. The strobes of our headlights flashed the street signs far into the distance.

We rode around the Embarcadero, past the Marina green (where I snapped a selfie) and through Crissy Field. There’s a small sharp climb before getting to the bridge, and I always want to take a picture at the top.

As we rode across the Golden Gate bridge, we looked back over the city to see the sun (still mostly unsuccessfully) trying to seep through gaps in the clouds above. The route up through the towns of southern Marin county leads us through Larkspur — the town that my dad first moved to when he moved to the US. I remember the park at the bottom of the road, hiding below dark redwood trees: My brother and I played there with the neighbors when we came to visit in 1980. I now see it as a very convenient place to stop and use the restroom!

While climbing Camino Alto is quite a warmup, White hill is the first real climb of the day, and we took it at a nice and easy pace. Shortly before the top four cyclists passed us, only to stop in the same parking area we were planning to stop. Everyone was friendly, wishing happy holidays and just enjoying being out on our bikes.

There was almost no wind. As we rode past Nicasio reservoir, the reflections were so clear and smooth that I couldn’t resist stopping to take a photo. Janeen snapped a far better photo of me as I was trying to figure out how to capture the view.

We rode on to Point Reyes. In the summer, there are some nice benches out in the park at the town center and the bike racks filled to capacity; now it was just bare ground. Janeen huddled in a corner watching our bikes while I went into the store to buy burritos. Sadly, no burritos were in the offing, so the woman working at the deli made me a sandwich: “Merry Christmas” she said as she handed me an almost two pound work of art.

Rain started sprinkling around us as we sat shivering on the concrete steps eating our sandwich. Even a cup of coffee and hot chai tea barely took off the chill: Time to get moving. We had been hoping to see some friends who were also riding, but we’d not seen them yet, so we set off south on highway 1 towards Olema.

A steep hill waits right after the town of Olema, and then a fast descent before the cross marin trail — a bike and walking trail that leaves the main road for a few miles heading back towards Lagunitas. Then there’s a long slow climb back up White hill before retracing our tracks through Fairfax.

We stopped at the bottom of the Golden Gate bridge before heading back into the city. No matter the weather, the view here is beautiful. Merry Christmas.