Posts

Summary, as promised

Image
 I spent 5 days exploring San Francisco. It is a big, international, hectic city. I'm surprised--after living in Chicago for nearly 40 years--how overwhelmed I felt. Of course, my friend had to work and helped me out with a ride to and from the hospital, but touring the city was not going to be something we could do together.  Tuesday, I sourced a bike box and after she clocked out of her remote social media job, we went to the Castro and explored the Mission District. I bought a book as I had finished the one I brought in the park waiting to camp, which never happened. I was happy enough just to eat and build up energy. Wednesday, I set out on my own to explore the city. I took a bus to Fisherman's Wharf, then walked up a hill to the Norwegian Fisherman's Church (excellent views!) and nice chat with ladies there, who offered me coffee and a waffle. Then on to the crookedest and steepest street in SF (there might be others, but this one is touted). I stumbled into a tour of...
Post a Comment
Read more

Post-ride finger fix

Image
 My first full day off the bike in San Francisco was spent with our friend Mark Zuckerberg. Hahaha. The hospital he had endowed. Historically terrible people such as slave owners, robber barons, union busters, etc have supported/started institutions. I just find it so ironic  But, who cares! I needed to get an idea of what was going on with my finger.  I was dropped off a little before 10 a.m. and was released around 4:30. In between staff brought me crackers, like a pre-schooler snack. I walked in and the process of check in went great. My insurance was accepted. I saw a nurse who sent me for X-rays. Then the real wait was for the person who was going to snatch the finger and straighten it out. He told me his name was Joseph, he had gone to University of Chicago, we had a lot of patter which took my mind off the fact he used a needle to numb and was going to have to realign the dislocated finger by yanking it. Listen, it all went well  More time, though, spent getti...
Post a Comment
Read more

Day 11, somewhere outside Novato, CA to friend's house San Francisco, 47 miles

Image
 I'm sitting here with a picture window view of the city on a somewhat overcast chilly morning. There are palm trees and in the back I am level with the tree tops. From the street (steep) the house looks tiny, but it extends back and down the hill on many levels. My friends are in the midst of landscaping the back yard that has a plum tree.  But first, how I got here.  I attempted this tour with a few downsides. Age 67, solo woman, with cataracts. Each day my decision was called into question. Mostly, though, everything worked out. Until . . . I crashed into the barricade at the end of one of the paths leaving Santa Rosa. I got into a hurry and was frustrated with myself for taking the wrong path. So nothing ever changes: directionless.  I was okay except for my left hand ring finger. It swelled up immediately. But I continued riding to Petaluma, where I finally got lunch and regrouped to tackle a few hills before stealth camping. The hills were hard with my compromi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Day 10, Mackerricher SP - stealth camping Marin County, 44 miles

Image
 Sooo, last night, between calls, etc and flakey signal, it was decided I would abandon the coast, eclipse a few days, and hopefully set myself up for SF tomorrow. A few details. 1) It was a monster getting over Leggatt and the second hill. I got out and got on it, so that 1 was to the coast by 11 a.m. So that's not the problem. What I realized was how much daily climbing I was going to have to do, and I knew my timetable was way off  2) Joy in the journey. It's been beautiful and difficult. There's seldom been other riders in the hike and bike. But in Standish Hickey the 2 guys there were totally wasted. The one guy just lay on the ground. He slept there all night long.  Anyway, it's been hard to find joy in the journey. Each day is full of climbs, inland almost 100 degrees heat, and by the coast WIND.  I've had to navigate with poor eyesight. I know, I came anyway despite the cataracts, and mostly it's worked out.  Today, more difficult. I arose at 4:30 and be...
Post a Comment
Read more

Day 9, Standish Hickey to Mackerricher SP, 42 Miles

Image
 Today was the day I'd been dreading, going over Leggatt Hill--actually 2 big hills before the coast. I'd tried unsuccessfully to get a ride--good thing, I had no idea I'd be leaving the 101 for the 1. Someone might have said yes, and I'd ended up in the wrong place. Or maybe it'd been okay. More to come  I set my alarm for 5. Yet, had terrible sleep. All night it sounded like car doors closing. Come to find out this a.m. that critters had gone throughout campground tearing the lids off the trash cans and making a mess. Anyway, I'd tried to eat up most of my food in order to reduce weight. I had only tactical rations in my handlebar bag. Enough, I thought for climbing and then riding 28 miles to Westport where there was a market with sandwiches, etc.  After leaving the campground at 7:50 I started out going downhill--boo--then at a turn for the 1, the climbing began. The climb took me less than an hour for about 1000 feet over approx 4 miles. The downhill took a...
Post a Comment
Read more