I finally got around to something that I'd been meaning to do since I got here which was to bike over the Golden Gate Bridge.

I've done this once before, back in 2008, with the lasting memory being stuck between and entry and exit to a freeway after getting lost. I figured that 7 years is plenty of time to improve signage on the cycle route and decided to give it another shot. I went with an Australian friend I'd made the night before.

The route starts of fairly gently along the bay beside Fisherman's Wharf. It then climbs a small but nasty hill before flattening out towards the bridge. We had to backtrack a bit after getting caught up in the finishing line of a triathlon.

It had been sunny and fairly warm when we started but it wasn't long before the wind came up and fog began to creep in. We followed the huge crowds of bikers up and onto the bridge. Most people were doing the same thing as us but there were also plenty of serious cyclists who were constantly yelling out in frustration at the slow moving crowds.

As soon as we had crossed to the other side of the bridge the weather changed dramatically. The wind was still there but the air felt much warmer and the fog stayed hanging above the water.

Moving on from the bridge the route moves downhill into a postcard worthy little town called Sausalito. The town centre sits sheltered at the water's edge. It is surrounded by steep hills covered in greenery and nice houses. I was so enraptured that I forgot to take any photos. I did however take a photo of just one of the bike parking areas. This give you an idea of just how many people were doing the same as us.

There were even more behind me too!

There are two options when biking the bridge. The first is to cycle as far as Sausalito before catching the ferry back, a distance of around 13 kms. The second, apparently less popular, option is to continue on to Tiburon which is a total distance of 35.5 kms, up to about 38 kms if the optional side trip is included (we did it). We decided to continue on. I think I had pictured it in my head that Sausalito was the half way point. In reality it was barely a third.

We eventually made it to Tiburon, sore and exhausted, and caught the ferry back to the city. I could barely stand as I waited for the bus back to my hostel. Once again I hadn't bothered to check how far I was forcing myself to travel and once again I'm paying for it in soreness. It always feels like an accomplishment though so I doubt I'll be slowing down any time soon.

To be honest going on to Tiburon was not worth it. Much of the route is cycling on the road and the signage has not improved at all since last time. You're also mostly cycling through suburbs and alongside swampland which is nothing special. Tiburon itself is nice but it's similar to Sausalito. There's a recommended side trip to see a park with Redwoods, advertised as the "tallest trees in the world", which was also a bit of a let down. Redwoods as a species might be the tallest trees in the world but these particular specimens where about the size of the average New Zealand pine tree.

Meh

I've extended my stay in San Francisco by a night so that I can sort out paying for my car. It's difficult adjusting to having to primarily use cash after living basically cashless back in New Zealand. It's all good though, no one would bother leaving home if the whole world was exactly the same. My Pacific Coast adventure will just have to wait an extra day.