We started the ride at food stop #1: Destination Bakery on Chenery Street. What a perfect place to start the ride. On the road at 10, the leg warmers were off instantly - it was truly balmy, felt so good after all the cold we have had. Nice ride out Alemany Blvd to Daly City. Only fell once - ugh, another fall while standing still - feels so stupid. Luckily, neither me nor bike hurt.Soon enough, we are climbing the mountain. Pretty easy climb for the first 2 miles, then, it's significant. Really felt it in my legs, but focused on steady, deep breathing and steady, strong pedaling. No real discomfort, other than a bit of soreness in my left rear hip area, typical. Slowed down to 4-5 mph on the steepest parts, but that was fine. Making it to the top was friggen fantastic - amazing panoramic views of the Bay Area and it was super clear! What a sight and what an accomplishment!
Pictures show a view out over the Pacific, looking West. One of me, and one of my coworker David and of the man who married my husband and me, Evan. Small world it is!
The jacket came off at the top of the mountain, still learning just how much warm clothing I need to bring. Ride down the mountain was superb - rough pavement for the first mile or so, but smooth after that and got up to 35 mph, fast enough for me!
Rode by the Colma cemeteries - very beautiful area. Another first for me, I have never driven or ridden on Hillside Ave. Another new experience on my bike - gotta love it!! Another food stop - a Brazilian lunch hut, that's the best way to describe it. Truly hut-like. Great savory pies, cheese rolls, coffee. I had a pig in the blanket - very yummy. Felt good to rest a bit.
Return trip to SF was through Oyster Point, another area I have never really been in. Sort of like a Silicon Valley north - all Biotech. Wiggled by the lagoon off Hwy 101, then up into the City on San Bruno Ave., eventually to Bayshore and to our end point for the trip - yes, another food joint, a very neighborhoody, wonderful ice cream joint (Humphrey Slocomb) at 24th and Harrison. What a fine way to end the trip, eating ice cream and catching up with friends.
Statistics
- Total Distance: 24 miles
- Time riding: 2h, 15m
- Average speed: 11.5 mph
- Average cadence: 66
- Total Elevation climb: 2000'
- Physical feeling
- Felt in legs, minor ache in left rear hip. Definitely felt winded by the time I got to the top of the mountain. Did see max heart rate around 168, but screwed up the monitor, so I did not get overall statistics. Was tired by the end of the ride, mostly in legs.
- Drank 3 bottles of water, used electrolyte tabs in 2 bottles.
