Bay Trail & Divisadero

I tried something different and took the Bay Trail today. It winds through Sausalito, then out around the Bay. It eventually must circle around the Tiburon peninsula, but I had no time to check it out.

I was early, but I saw a lot of cyclists. It is the most convenient way to get to Mt. Tam and the Point Reyes area, for sure, so I was not surprised to see a lot of bikers GATHERING there. They would then follow the trail to the North and somewhere cross over to Highway 1. I must do that, too, if one of the next few Saturdays is nice.

In any case, I had lots of energy coming back. I had outperformed a dude on the bridge, and he was one of those that take it personal, so he zipped around me as soon as we had gotten to the ramp to Conzelman. Not one to be easily stopped by red lights or stop signs, I had to give up on him. Then I saw him in one of the gathering areas down at the beginning of the trail. I got to where I wanted to turn around, and no sooner had I sped up to crusing speed that I see him rush towards me. I wave, but he must still have been mad.

So I am on the new Crissy Field, one of the most beautiful ideas that the Park Service has ever had (and what a shame it was so neglected under the military!). I get to the end and start thinking that the Embarcadero is surely going to be too much of a mess for me. Well, not one to be stopped by crowds, I decide to turn right onto Divisadero. The hill is beckoning like a 90 year old siren, and I can think only of turning around as fast as I can.

But no, I decide to ride it. Slowly, crawling inch by inch, with cars behind me carefully passing and somehow cheering the nut case. Some interminable time later, I am at the top. My legs are burning, and the last section felt as if I wouldn’t ever make it, toppling instead into an oncoming tourist minivan.

I am at the top. I do a round of honors, and descend towards Japantown.

I had fun.