The rain has caused muddy trails so hiking in the mountains are out. So it is off to Ferry Point. Nice views of the bay and lunch in Point Richmond. Only to discover Great American Hamburger is now closed on Sundays. So off to Starbucks.
Fishing on the pier. At least you don’t need a fishing license.
Tugboats doing their job. I like going to Ferry Point and watching the tugboats.
The weather was warm so it made for a good walk into Point Richmond. I keep forgetting about a cafe down from Starbucks so the next time I want to check it out and see what they have.
I’m hoping that the Sunday closing of Great American Hamburger is temporary because they have a help wanted sign up. But if not then Saturday on my bike ride I will stop in. If it is crowded I can eat outside by the Richmond Plunge. Got to get my fix in.
The SF Bay Area is getting expensive but I can go outside all year long and do my hikes and bicycling so it is a price I’m willing to pay.
Pedaling on 23rd Street in San Pablo. Got rid of the first car lane and made a bike lane. Great for the bicycle rider so great for the car driver. Don’t worry once you hit Richmond it goes back to two lanes.
The bike ride started out nice. Then the clouds started to move in. I heard the bike gods laughing. I know what is coming but I don’t know when.
Went to REI to have a peak. I have a $159 dividend so I wanted to have a look around. I didn’t see anything I wanted or needed. Next year dividend is probably going to be next to nothing.
I was riding by Golden Gate Fields and decided to have a snack. Had a great view too. The clouds are moving in and one would think I would have more urgency. I’m not going to pedal like a bat out of hell just to avoid some rain. My snack was good.
I’m by the Craneway building and I see a ship heading out to sea being escorted by a couple of tugboats. I had to stop because I like tugboats. Still no rain. The bike gods are playing with me. I know I shouldn’t stop and it could cost me but I’m use to the rain. The last three Saturdays I have been rained on. Who am I kidding I still hate riding in the rain.
I reach the light by Hoffman Blvd and then it happens, the rain. It is coming down pretty good and it is a cold rain. I could swear I heard the bike gods giving high five’s. Maybe it was thunder.
I decided to skip Starbucks and head to the overpass in Point Richmond where I can rest under and stay dry. I eat my snacks and wait for the rain to stop or slow down. Sprinkling is okay.
Pedaling home. There are some blue in the grey skies. Looks like I’m home free. The rain is no more. It is a dry ride all the way home. Can’t take the back way because of the mud in the field. So it is the long way home. Love the sound of the garage door when it opens because I’m home and safe from anymore rain that will show up.
Clear all day and then the ride home and the clouds begin to move in. Now it is a race against the rain.
Still I’m in no mood to pedal like a mad man. But I do pedal at a steady pace. There will be no break by the bay. I like the little break by the bay but the threat of rain makes me skip it.
I get about a mile away from home I swear I felt a drop of rain or is it my imagination. Not taking any chances so I pedal faster. Lucky it is a downhill flat. Turn onto my street and open the garage door. Put the bike inside and no rain. Then all of sudden the rain begins or more like a sprinkle. But I beat the rain.
I guess the bike gods timing is off, But I wonder what awaits.
A ride by the Craneway Building and where Richmond is putting the new ferry. At least Richmond has begun work. Hercules just talks about their ferry.
Woke up in the morning and had a headache and my stomach didn’t feel that good. Thought I would pedal it away, usually works. Not this time just stayed with me for the whole ride.
Had my Nook with and I downloaded episodes from season 6 of Grimm. On of the best shows ever made as far as I’m concerned. Season 6 is the last season but it makes sense to me. Shows basically have a five year life span and after that the show goes downhill and becomes unwatchable.
There is a threat of rain but so far I have avoided it. The bike gods are being nice and I’m fearful. They are never nice. A little paranoia goes a long way.
I head to Point Richmond. Debating if I should stop at Starbucks or keep riding. There it is, rain. I knew the bike gods wouldn’t leave me alone. Isn’t it bad enough I don’t feel good. So Starbucks it is.
At least there is one chicken wrap left and I get a tall coffee. Might as well get some caffeine in me for the ride home. Starbucks is pretty empty so I get a table by the window. I want to know when the rain stops and then I can pedal home.
I take out my Nook and start another episode of Grimm. This is what a ride becomes when I don’t feel good and rain is coming down. Good thing I brought my rain jacket with me. Always be prepared.
Episode of Grimm is done and the rain has stopped. Time to start the pedal home. I like the ride through Point Pinole. Since I’m ready to call it a day I decide to take the short way home instead of the streets. Problem with the shorter way is I have to go through a muddy field. At least I get home faster.
Still not a bad day on the bike. I still got 28 miles in. So now it is time to lay down and take a nap. Damn Daylight Savings Time starts on Sunday. As far as I’m concerned Daylight Savings should start before Memorial Day and end the week before Halloween. It is basically a time for vacation and people who don’t work. Rant and ride done.
This is the worst section of my bike commute home. Not only is it a climb but there isn’t a shoulder. Cars sometimes get pretty close. Got to have nerves of steel.
This is why I can’t wait for June and the bike/walk path from Bayfront Park to Pinole Shores is completed. I can avoid this and take the bike/path all the way home.
When I left for my bike ride the sun was out and it looked like the rain was gone for good.
Then I hit the Ohlone Greenway and the dark clouds started to make an appearance. I knew what was coming and there was nothing I could do about it. This was going to be a wet ride, but I had a plan to minimize me getting wet.
I stopped at Barnes and Noble for tea and to read my book. I looked out the window and it was raining cats and dogs, A step ahead of the bike gods weird sense of humor. But I do not gloat because I still have to pedal home.
The rain stops and I decide to leave and stop at the Albany Library. There is sun and I know what that means. It will start raining soon. Always happens the sky is blue and the rain falls.
As soon as I get done locking up my bike the rain begins. But that is okay because I’m going to sit in a comfortable chair and read my book. This is what a bike ride is about. Pedaling and relaxing.
The rain has stopped and it is time to pedal home. The rain isn’t done. When I hit the Richmond Marina the rain returns. The bike gods got me. I was expecting it. They would not let me escape not getting wet. I hear them laughing and high fiving each other. What a warped sense of humor they have.
I decide to skip a break at Starbucks in Point Richmond. I’m ready to call it day so I head to Richmond Parkway and pedal to Dotson Family Marsh.
By the time I arrive at Dotson Family Marsh the rain is gone and I am dry. A bathroom break before the final pedal home.
The bike/walk path from the Dotson Family Marsh to Point Pinole. This is a new trail and I like it.
Even with the rain it was a good ride. Always nice to get on the bike to relax. At least with the rain the bike/walk path was empty and it made for easy riding.
Got the day off from work which is the good thing. The bad is the rain decided to show up. I don’t remember inviting the rain to my party. But the rain doesn’t care it shows up when it wants and be damn your plans.
So I pull out my rain jacket and cover my handlebar bag, It is going to be a rainy day bike ride. I open the garage door and bring the bike out and the rain has let up. Hey is that blue sky I see.
I know better than to do something crazy like go for a long ride. I know what the bike gods are going to do. They are just waiting for the right moment and then drop the rain. Curse you bike gods. Yeah I have a love/hate relationship with the bike gods.
So it is off to the gym. I reach the hill on San Pablo Ave and there it is. The rain comes down in buckets. Perfect, I get to climb up a hill and there is rain and wind. Of course cars come and splash me. The life of a bike rider.
That was fun. An hour workout. All I can handle at the gym is fifty minutes to an hour workout. I figure that is good enough. If I go longer it isn’t going to accomplish much. The body can take so much. Go at you gym rats because I know you have a different opinion.
What no rain. So being me I must tempt the bike gods. I’m going to stop at Starbucks and then head to the Hercules Library. Guess I could catch up on some reading and play on my Chromebook.
Of course on the ride to the library it rains off and on. I guess in the mind of the bike gods they are being nice. At least it isn’t a down pour and the rain stops sometimes. Who cares I’m pedaling on caffeine and I don’t feel a thing.
I’m done goofing around for the day. I’m hungry and probably go a wet ride ahead of me. I see the rain when I look out the window but I don’t care. I’ve been wet all day so what is a little more wet. At least this is the ride home and I still hate riding in the rain.
A bike ride along the new paved bike/walk path in Hercules along the water. It is great that I don’t have to take a dirt trail anymore. On rainy days I had to take the streets and a climb. Now it is flat.
For most of the month of February it has been dry. Now that the month is ending the rain has showed up. Not a fan of riding in the rain. But sometimes I can ride between the rain. If I do catch the rain I hope it is more of a sprinkle.
Nothing better than pedaling the stress off after a day of work.
I have a Polaroid XS 100 video camera. I have had it for a few years. It is kind of like a GoPro. I haven’t used it much. Not big on making videos. But Saturday I attached it to my handle bars and did a short video on my ride along 580. Maybe I will use it more.
I stopped by Barnes and Noble for a white mocha and an almond croissant. Also did a little reading. Always a nice break. Get there early and can get a seat. Don’t know what summer is going to be like. My places to break at get crowded during the summer.
Where the Richmond ferry is going to be. Already starting some work. Can’t wait for the ferry to get up and running. Probably be a fun ride into San Francisco. A lot more room.
Richmond police boats. Seen them out in the water a few times.
View of San Francisco. I really took the picture because of the clouds.
Helicopter flying around. Wonder what they are looking for or just some sightseeing. Never know what is going on.
Having a break before heading home. Added a safety triangle to the bike. Can see the polaroid XS 100 video camera on the handlebar.
I think it is about time for some time off so I can get more riding in. Not this week since rain is in the forecast
Some pictures taken with my Zorki 4 film camera. They came out pretty good.
I had three that didn’t fully come out. I thought I had a couple of double exposures because of a problem with the rewinding and hitting the shutter button which snapped a picture.
Happy with the results of the Zorki 4 that was made in the USSR in 1967.
