Golden Gate Bridge

Beautiful Coves

Lovely Beaches

San Fran to Pigeon Point Lighthouse. 64.5 miles

Our first day turned out to be a beautiful but brutal day. Left the hotel in good time and headed first for the Golden Gate Bridge. You can cycle and walk over it, proved to be very busy, but we crossed, turned and cycled back. Lovely views, very clear, no sign of fog, stunning. We then headed south and started on our proper route.  San Fran is a lovely city with many parks so it took us some time to leave it behind.  We cycled down the Pacific coast, the beaches are absolutely glorious with huge rollers crashing in. The rugged coast line makes for a roller coaster of a road, very steep hill after hill. I knew I wasn't very fit when I left and planned to cycle my way into fitness, this will certainly do it. Murray and I are feeling quite tired tonight, this is the reality of cycle touring. Very hot day,mid 30's which takes getting used to. Roads are busy, good surface and a very broad hard shoulder.We are staying at Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel, Murray in a male dorm, me in a female dorm. Lights out at 10.30pm  so I am rushing to get this done. Had to buy food at the last town for our tea tonight, as there is no-where nearby, something light to carry, e.g. Packet soup, bananas, yoghurt. After we arrived we enjoyed an outside jacuzzi, watching the sun set, stunning,  loads of seals on the rocks, plenty of wild life.   This is a truly beautiful part of the world, glorious beaches, coves, cliffs, I can see why the rich and famous want to live here. A great first day but at times quite gruelling due to heat and constant hills. More of the same tomorrow, better get a good nights sleep.

Aaaaaahhhhhhh

Go For It

A Bit Steep

San Francisco from Alcatraz

5ft x 9ft

Recreation Yard

Alcatraz

Steep roads

T

Mmmm-Breakfast

San Fran - I Love You

Enjoyed a fantastic first day in San Francisco. Didn't sleep too well, time difference, but felt rested.  Got today off to a great start by having 3 pancakes, maple syrup and egg over easy for breakfast. Happy bunny. We assembled the bikes, in our hotel room, then as it was a beautiful warm sunny day Murray and I had a stroll round SF, like it very much, compact, clean with sea on 3 sides. It has extreme, short, steep hills, a challenge on the bike tomorrow without first managing to warm up. We had pre-booked for Alcatraz in the afternoon so took a leisurely stroll to Pier 33. Boats seem to leave every half hour and are extremely busy, if you haven't booked in advance you won't get on. Short, quick, choppy journey, no wonder no-one escaped. Very imposing, sinister place, once an army barracks before being a State Prison.   Quite inhumane, cruel conditions , you certainly did not want to be a prisoner here. Fascinating place to visit full of atmosphere, loved it. Jumped a cable car back to our hotel with Murray standing on the footplate. He was in his element going down the steep hills. Tomorrow we start our cycle south but what a brilliant first day, especially as it was our 26th wedding anniversary. Thanks for all good wishes, can this get any better?

Flying Over Greenland

San Francisco - All's Well

Had a long, hot flight to San Fran, daylight all the way so some stunning views as we passed over Greenland. Bikes arrived safely, which is always a bonus, get them assembled tomorrow. San Fran is hot and sunny but a bit chilly this evening. Brief impressions so far are good, hotel better then expected, people welcoming and friendly and they seem to understand us.  Strange having Murray with me on a bike trip, usually I have to deal with bike and bags on my own, good to have help. It is 9.30pm here, 5.30am UK time so trying to stay awake to help with jet lag. Sight seeing, cable car land Alcatraz tomorrow. Should be fun, hope I can stay awake.

My Bags are Packed and I'm Ready to Go .........

Is this enough for 19 days...... maybe aye maybe no  ????

Spike + Pal Ready for USA Flight

Spike Gets Ready

Man at Work

Today Sunday, Murray and I prepared our bikes for flights to the States. This requires removing pedals, removing and turning handlebars, removing back wheel, removing quick release lever. We managed to squeeze the bikes into boxes without taking the back wheels off, always a bonus.  Wrapped all sensitive  parts in bubble wrap and good to go.  The bikes are treated as luggage, so this will be our hold bags and our panniers will be hand luggage.  We will dispose of the boxes in San Francisco.  This time I will be sharing tools so this helps with weight.  Just need a change of cycling clothes and a couple of tops and shorts for off bike. Toiletries can be bulky so again sharing helps but is is chargers for kindle, mobile, camera and GoPro that takes up space. Anyway, I think we are organised, oh must remember maps and oops passport. Yes, I'm sure we are sorted !!!!!!

Fantastic Cycling Maps

San Fransisco to Santa Barbara Section -  383.5 miles

Moterey/Carmel Section

Part Elevation

To plot our route we will be using the fantastic Adventure Cycling Association Maps. They are waterproofed and fold into small sections of 25 to 40 miles and are very easy to follow. The maps are designed to be used in either direction,  the changes in road names are marked by a star, distance travelled is recorded. North is not necessarily 'up' but changes orientation from panel to panel.  They inform you of riding conditions, elevation, bike shops, emergency numbers, lodgings, libraries, service stops, history of area, in fact everything you need to know.  The Adventure Cycling Association, as well as organising cycling tours all over America, compile these maps for cycling travellers,  they are invaluable. We need two maps for our trip. San Francisco to Santa Barbara then Santa Barbara to San Diego. Sorted, I hope.

Spike gets a Spit and Polish

Spike

Taking 'Spike the Bike' with me to California so thought he needed a bit of a spruce up. He was looking a bit neglected as I have been using my road bike over the summer. I need to take a sturdier bike like Spike to carry my panniers. Now he is looking gleaming, washed, rinsed and lubed.  Wish I could say the same for myself.