Biking the Bridge

I was all prepared to have a lazy Hong Kong-San Francisco trip, this being my fourth in six months. All that was on my agenda were my shopping list and rest. But things don't always go as planned and in this instance, it was good.


A colleague of mine was game to cycle across San Francisco's infamous Golden Gate Bridge (1.7 miles), a tourist must-do that I haven't had the chance to do so far.


We rented the bikes from Blazing Saddles at Pier 41 and started our journey sometime around 9:30am. The weather was perfect and the common fog over the bridge was no where in sight.

We were quite fortunate that weekend because it was the city's Fleet Week, celebrating the men and women of the armed forces. The San Francisco Bay area, particularly Fisherman's Wharf and Crissy Field stretches, were busy with fleet-ish festivities - BBQs, inflatables, air plane exhibitions and other parafenelia - so, there were lots to see as we made our way from Pier 41 to the bridge.




Along Jefferson Street, pass Ghirardelli Square, and we were at Fort Mason, the former Port of Embarkation for the US Army. We stopped on a hill to enjoy a faraway view of the bridge.



The Palace of Fine Arts Theatre was our next stop. I had seen it on TV and in brochures and wondered where this beautiful piece of Roman art was located in the city. I just had to see it for myself. Surrounded by well-kept greens and a lake - gorgeous.




Soon after, we passed through Crissy Field where more display of the armed forces celebrations were located. Lovely greens, lots of carnival-like activities.



Then we finally reached Fort Point, the southern side of the Golden Gate at the entrance of San Francisco Bay. And soon, up on the bridge we were.



Traffic on the bridge (motorists and bikers) was quite heavy, particularly because of the Fleet Week celebrations. People were heading to San Francisco city and Sausalito was quieter than usual weekends.


There was a mix of hardcore cyclists (or those who looked so because of their biking get-up) and leisure riders. We met all sorts - friendly regulars who gave us directions, not-so-polite "pro's" who'd bark at people to stay on their side, the shutter-happies who were there for the great photo opportunities.

The natural formation of the rocks meeting the Pacific Ocean was a breathtaking sight from the bridge, I just had to capture it.

Three hours into our adventure and we were at the other end of the bridge in Sausalito.

Sausalito has a certain feel that I love. No hustle and bustle of the city, just a quaint town with uniquely designed houses, the sea, and art galleries.

What is hard work without a reward? And where else to find it than at Lappert's. Macadamia mm mm!

When we were done with Sausalito, we headed back on the Blue & Gold ferry. Our timing was perfect and we managed to catch the air show half way through the ferry ride.

What a better way to end the trip than with a fresh seafood feast. We braved the crowded streetcars and were back in the hotel by 4pm in time to rest for our night flight out.