I knew I had a long day ahead of me, unsure of what to expect on my last leg. I had a quick breakfast, and was intent on leaving early, so I found Paul to say my goodbyes and wish him well. Time to end this adventure the way it started, with just me and my bike.
I left at 8:30, and just powered through the morning. It was a different landscape once again, of mostly farmland and rolling hills as I worked my way inland through Valley Ford, and back towards the shoreline again. For about 2 or 3 hours, I enjoyed a rolling ride all the way down the coast until I reached Stinson Beach. I could see the road carve its way back up a mountain side and thought, of course there's another freaking mountain to climb, after 6 hours of cycling. Like some sort of cruel joke. Lol. I stopped to refuel my water, eat an apple, recharge my iPhone. (I have to think about this at least once during each day, as I can usually only keep a full charge for about 90km max.)
From Stinson Beach, it was a grueling climb across the mountainside, and up and over the other side, where its a long descent into a more residential area. I haven't seen this many cars and houses in 2 weeks. At the bottom I had to figure out how to cross the Golden Gate Bridge. I stopped at a local bike shop and asked directions, which were pretty vague considering what you actually have to do to get there by bike, but I figured it out. This was the most vulnerable I have felt all trip. At one red light, a cyclist beside me stopped, and fell into me and my bike - as helplessly as I did the day prior. I'm holding him and his bike up from pushing both of us over, as he exclaims "push me up, I'm clipped in!" To which I obviously obliged. About 2 minutes later, on a narrow bike path, an approaching cyclist clipped a pedestrian, and swerved directly into my path uncontrollably, narrowly missing me by near inches. My nerves are shot, please don't let anything happen this close to the finish line... Please don't break a chain, please no flat tires... Not now...
I'm trying to navigate unknown back roads, follow bike route signs, avoid traffic, car door openings, delivery trucks, pedestrians all while trying to savor the rush and excitement of completing my journey, by crossing the Golden Gate Bridge after 120km and 8 hours of pedaling. The route takes you underneath the highway about 5 miles before the bridge, and then directly underneath the bridge, with one final climb up the other side for the cycling lane. Soooo close.
The fog was thicker than I have ever seen it so far. When I finally began crossing, the wind was gusting so hard, it was a struggle to stay straight. I crested the bridge slowly, wobbling all the way, and made it down into San Francisco at about 4:30pm and 117km later.
Lombard Street is peppered with No Vacancy signs everywhere. The first place I went to with vacancy, actually didn't have any, and the second one did. $199 per night. Ouch. I talked him down to $149, which he accepted and retired to my room to reflect on my journey.
I sat on my bed, with my bike across from me, much like I did 14 days earlier in Astoria when I had no idea what I was doing there, if I could make it to Brookings, if my knees or hips would give out. Wow, crazy. Feels like months ago.
Today I am planning my return trip home. I will most likely fly to Portland, and bus back to my car in Astoria, and drive home. It will be a long day tomorrow.
Thanks to my wife Nicole, and dedicated staff for allowing me once again to do these crazy things. I am going to follow this blog up with one more post, summarizing my trip stats.
Anyone want to buy a slightly used Kona Sutra? Low kilometers, few scratches, bald rear tire. Lol
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