Chapter 27

Chapter 27

 

 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2008

 

Jenner to Olema Camp Ground 45 miles 27th Sept.

 

I woke early this morning feeling a bit sore but had a reasonably good night’s sleep. Its too early for breakfast, there is no life about his hotel yet. So, I’m not waiting around for a cup of weak coffee and a stale bun. I head off around 7am. It’s very cold this morning but sunny and threatening to get warmer.

I’m going to take it easy today. I have those 10 miles to make up that I cut short from yesterday. I’m feeling good today. The legs are working and I’m spinning nicely. I get to Bodega Bay in a relatively short time. Bodega Bay is a real surfer town. There are lots of surfers out in the water and it is only 8am. I stop for breakfast in this very posh (by my standards of late) restaurant. It’s a big place overlooking the sea. I’m reluctant to have my bike out of sight because there is no way I can take it in here. All carpets and white tablecloths. They are very helpful, and the waiter facilitates me with a window table where I can see my bike and observe the seals and wildlife swimming in the bay below me. It’s a lovely place and I feel right at home. A good hearty breakfast served by waiters in white uniforms, sets me up for the day. 

After breakfast I'm ready to move on, I’m back on track now.

 

 

 

Some nasty little hills as I go, but nothing too depressing. I am beginning to see a lot of road bikers out today. I have only seen two on this whole trip. But, it is Sunday,. Traditionally cyclists day out in the week. I sense too that, getting closer to San Francisco, I'm meeting the keen riders with distance in their legs. Now I’m coming across them, or should say they are coming across me, in numbers. I soon found out I was right.

A group of four cyclists pass me at pace and one slows to chat. Jeremiah was his name. A real nice guy and he cycles a few miles with me. He tells me they are all out on their weekend training spin from San Francisco. He is curious about my trip, asking me how its going and all about the panniers and how is it with all my extra weight on the bike. Thiings that you would expect another cyclist to ask and also general bike chat. As we are chatting he offers me the use of a room in his house while I am in San Francisco. Says I can come and go as I please for the couple of days I have in SF. A very generous guy. Says I can stay a few days if I wish. He and his wife work in SF and I could be free run of his place. He says his mates are stopping at a bakery a few miles ahead in Tomales and invites me to call in for a coffee on my way past. And with that he speeds on. 

 

 

 

 

 

Sure, enough next town there are a crowd of bikers having a coffee stop. So, I stop to join them.  My Irish accent drifts around the place and I hear an Irish voice calling me. It’s a guy from Navan, Colm. He is living here now. He has recently arrived in San Francisco from Ireland and he intends staying for the foreseeable future. Has got a job from his cousin who is in the building trade and he is enjoying his stay. It’s great to be chatting to an Irish person after all this time. Have a great chat with all of them. Exchanging stories and generally having a laugh.

 

We say our goodbyes and I head on. I have a nice tail wind now as I cycle down along Tomales Bay heading for Olema. Taking it nice and steady and moving I soon reach the camp ground at Olema and meet my 'support group' who kindly again invite me to dinner. They are booked into a hotel in San Francisco as a group and offer me a room they have going spare. I’m grateful because it saves me having to go searching when I get there. 

This is a much more expensive campground. Thirty five dollars for the night. I'm used to paying three dollars but that is a State Park. This is private. God bless America! More families here. Getting closer to the big city must make a difference.

San Francisco tomorrow..... a milestone. I need the rest badly... Think I’ll go to Alcatraz and stay a while...............