BigH Rides Again - The Wild West Tour June 2014

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Day 12 – San Francisco – Monterey 118 Miles

Dear Diary, what a day it’s been ! Leaving our hotel we headed up a very steep hill and descended a very wiggly steep hill (Lombard Street).

We then headed north over the Golden Gate Bridge for some great vistas of SF.

Re-crossing the bridge we rode down the Pacific Beachfront of the city – not quite as enticing and developed as you might think due to the low sea water temperatures. A coffee break at a ‘Caboose’ was welcome.

At Pacifica we headed inland and started along the switchback of the Pacific Crest road. The blue sky, tall conifers and redwood trees made for superb riding. We arrived at Alice’s Restaurant – made famous in the 1960’s in a film and a song by Arlo Guthrie. (I checked it out dear reader, but at 18 minutes decided that this was a case of hippy ennui beyond the pale – bummer !).

Anke 'arrested' by friendly local law enforcement officer.

After more curved roads we re-joined the coast road and passed some spectacular beaches (with chilly water – wet-suited surfers the only people braving the waters).

Around Santa Cruz our cavalcade was disrupted by an RV which hit the central barrier and did a couple of airborne rolls. By some miracle and skilled riding no-one in our party was involved in the collision. Our support driver and the last two riders stopped to give first aid until the ambulance arrived. The driver was injured but able to walk.

Shaken and somewhat stirred we arrived at Monterey and our spirits were revived by a medicinal beer or two. Have arranged to eat out later.