As I’m starting to eeeeeease back into cycling, I’ve found a nice route that goes through Golden Gate park, then alongside the Pacific for 10 miles for a nice 20 mi out and back. It’s a simple straight shot route, with a few very teeny climbs and one long slow gentle grade through GG Park. I’m pretty sure it’s the IDEAL “so, you stopped riding and are really out of shape but want to get back into it” route.

I’m actually *loving* the bike these days. Something about the weather out here- never having to worry about the rain, and just the ease of grabbing the bike and going, as opposed to NYC where you had to account for the elements, then deal with the junkshow of getting over the George Washington bridge, etc. I haven’t attempted to head north over the Golden Gate yet, I’m waiting a few more weeks to feel a bit more confident and stronger.

What I’m hoping is to get into halfway decent biking shape and then in a couple months join this cycling club. They seem to have a cool mix of laid-back people just doing it for fun and health and also some racers. I’ve talked to a few of their members on the street when out riding (ie- accosted them and peppered them with questions about it), and they’ve always been so nice and helpful. Just seem like cool people. I’m excited to join, although like I said… I want to get to the point where I can go out and do a 70 or 80 mi ride first before I try and hang with the likes of them.

Riding along the ocean is FANTASTIC. You do have to keep an eye out for sand on the road, however the views of the beach and water and highs from whiffs of the salt air really offset any negatives. Simmering bonfires from the previous night’s parties on Ocean Beach are occasionally detected as well, depending on how early I get out there.

Right now I am doing this ride Monday and Wednesday mornings, and trying to do a long ride which piles on a bit more distance each Friday.

Here are some photos:

Not feeling spandex ready :p I’m too chubby and far too self-conscious to be rocking spandex at this point! But maybe in a few weeks…

This plant is called “Ice Plant” and it grows alongside most of the coast here. Earl and I used to think that it was so pretty (remember when we saw a bunch of it near that bench we hung out on during my birthday?), but our neighbor just told us how it is an invasive species and pretty bad for the habitats. It’s all over the place.

Earl was awesome and decided to come keep me company during my ride on Monday. He hasn’t been on his bike in almost a year, but still creamed me on the hills. *sigh*