Day 13, Petaluma, CA to San Francisco, CA.  50 mile and 2750 miles of climbing.  The second leg of this trip is in the bag and oh what a leg it has been!  It will take a long time to comprehend everything I have done and seen over the past 870 miles.  Oh, what a trip.  Left Petaluma in the a.m..  Weather was a balmy 60 degrees and sunny.  Road thru some golden brown mountains and half way thru the day entered the out skirts of San Francisco.  Went thru lots of small towns and as we got closer the traffic i.e. car, pedestrians and bikes picked up.  Our "trip sheet" consisted of a full 4 pagess with 2 coumns per page.  I had never had to make so many turns to get anywhere.  It was tough navigating and along the way I added a few "bonus" miles.  About halfway into the ride my rear wheel gave out.  The rim broke and allowed a spoke to be pulled all the way thru.  Upon closer inspection I could see that several others were closed to being pulled thru.  I had just finished a 40 mph descent and had all of those spokes gave way it would not have been pretty.  Jim our mechanic quickly installed one of their spare wheels and I was back on my way. As we approach Sausalita the fog came in and I was certain that my crossing of the Golden Gate Bridge would be obscured.  But after a brief stop at a bike shop, where they featured bike frames made of wood, the fog cleared and I crossed the bridge and was able to experience all of its glory.  There is an 8 foot wide pedestrian/bike path and it was packed.  It felt like I was playing a video game, dodging all of those hazards to accomplish my goal of crossing unscathed. Ate dinner in a diner on the Fishermen's Wharf, did my laundry and then went out for a 2nd dinner at a Korean restaurant. I was hungry. Tomorrow is an off day.  I have already purchased a day long pass for the trollies and buses.  I think I will get up, find a florist, buy some flowers for my hair and explore San Francisco!  I am one blessed guy.

 

Did I mention that I started my day out with a stop for Espresso?

 

Leaving Petaluma

 

I hit 40 mph on this descent.  The road was very rough.  I think that contributed to the failed rim.

 

The frame is made out of wood.  I think I could do that!

 

Approaching the bridge from Sausalita.

 

San Francisco sky line

 

Alcatraz

 

Pic from middle of the bridge.

 

On the San Francisco side of the bridge.  What a ride!!