Chapter 30

Chapter 30

 

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2008

 

San Francisco to Half Moon Bay 37 miles.

 

I decide to head out of San Francisco today instead of staying longer which was my plan. But it’s going to be a bit hairy to get out, so I decide the best thing to do is travel with the Cross Canadian Group for safety’s sake and to get through the city. Anyway, I would need lots more time here to see it properly and another day is not going to do it. So, we decide to leave as a group, at 9.30 am, after the rush hour. 

Setting off into a lovely warm day, we head back up towards the Golden Gate to pick up our route out, south. Some steep climbs up to bridge level and I am pleased I can pretty much stay with them. Wending our way down the coast to Daly City - a lovely cycle along the edge of the Pacific ocean and a nice easy cycle with my friends. But this is where we part company. A long five mile drag up into Daly City puts an end to my cycling in the peloton. I’m left for dead. But I grind it out and eventually get to the top and I’m OK. I am through the built-up city and I’m back on my own direction now. 

At the top I meet a little Asian man on a road bike, out for a spin and I regale him with my exploits.  He is suitably impressed and longs to be doing something similar but cannot because of family, work etc. So, I part company with him, telling him 'Life’s too short man. Go do it'. 

The road now evens out and it’s a nice run, till I hit the Devils Slide. Someone warned me about this. I don’t think I have to explain why it is called The Devils Slide!! Knee breaker!! I managed to get over it only to get the payoff of and a thrilling thirty mph five mile descent. 

 

 

I catch up with Canadian Paul and another member of the CCCTS group and we stop for a 12" subway before we get to the camp site at Half Moon Bay. I set up camp close to theirs right on the side of the sea. Such a beautiful setting. Got the tent up, had my shower and headed down to the beach.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Down at the beach I meet Herman and Mary and their dog. They are an elderly couple, living just up on the highway above. We had a good old chat, and they tell me about their holiday in Ireland and how good it was. They live up on the highway just above the beach and come down here every night to see the sunset. We are having a nice conversation and they invite me to their house later for a glass of wine. I arrange to meet them at 5.30 and we have a lovely hour or so chatting on their deck in their lovely home. Drinking chilled white wine and eating biscuits and cheese. Wonderful end to a lovely day. Got back to the tent in the dark and rolled in for a restful night’s sleep. 

Not to be….!

Sunset at Half Moon Bay

 

Comment

Gavin said: Looking good Boyler! Happy and fit, good man. Your blogs are fast becoming the highlight of my morning only bested by Emily's smile first thing.

 

John replied: I don’t mind being bested by Emily's smile.

 

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