The day started early with both Rob and I pushing our bikes up the steepest hill of the tour so far as we could not get started on the extreme gradient, fully loaded. This was followed by a descent down the second steepest hill of the tour with brake pads burning! Getting the bikes onto a commuter-packed Bart (train) was challenging to say the least and the final straw before a small contretemps (aka argument over a completely trivial remark!) was manoeuvering the bikes into 2 separate elevators to get out of the underground! Having calmed down after a Starbuck's coffee, we left San Francisco via Golden Gate Park and promptly hit thick sea fret for 3 hours - so much for sun and clear skies!
To make matters worse, during the afternoon the route followed a section of US1 with no shoulder and heavy traffic. Then came my near - death experience with a lorry which completely cut me up on a narrow uphill bend with no shoulder at all - don't worry I'm still here to tell the tale - but for a few moments I was glad I've told Victoria and Annie where to find my will! Don't want to over dramatise but I has no choice but to swerve into the side of the road and fall off my bike. No injuries but a bit shaken I must admit.
To move on swiftly, we reached our campsite later that afternoon which was close to the beach with good showers and a lovely Spanish restaurant nearby so am recovering as I write this blog. Move on - tomorrow is another day.....
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