SF: Part 2
Saturday morning was taken at a leisurely pace. While up at 7, we didn’t get on with the day until about 9 when Naz, Jen and I rode our bikes easy to the Ferry Building market. We got some coffee and bread to snack on and I some fresh peaches. We met James (Jah-mez, occasionally) and together we watched a man drop a $50 U-lock into the water while locking up his bike, an event that infuriated the woman he was with. James called out to them “You dropped your lock on the BART! Damn!” which was pretty hilarious in and of itself.
James also showed us pictures he’d taken of a motorcycle accident near his house. Too Fast, Too Fifth Street.
We eventually rolled down to In-and-Out for burgers and then to a huge sporting goods co-op. We then all cruised the city back to the house, spinning the legs, and relaxing. I bought an iPhone later in the day as I left the charger to my Verizon one in Chicago. I know, I know…but I needed a new phone and I’ve wanted an iPhone for some time. May as well get one on vacation, eh?
That night we got dinner at Naan & Curry in the Tenderloin area and bubble tea — and we all got sick to the stomach from the Indian food. I wasn’t the worse off, but I felt like crud. That killed the night a little — we all retreated home to the bathroom.
Sunday morning Naz and I went out for a run on the Butter Lap to prep ourselves for the day. I put in a few hard efforts on the climbs and felt great — I’m finding myself stronger each day. I guess I’m in good shape or something (or an approximation of). When we got back we had something of a brunch and headed out the door to the Mission area. Drank more bubble tea and was turned down for bikeshop gawking at Fairwheel Bikes.
Jen stopped in a yarn/fabric shop and Naz and I witnessed the “banana hammock” man we saw earlier. SF’s full of brave souls, that’s for sure. I’m not so comfortable in my own skin for attire like that. Kudos. Oh, and the BART is spooky. I won’t say otherwise.
That afternoon we went over to Judah and Sonya’s place and kicked it for a bit before heading to Burma Superstar for a huge, satisfying round of vegetarian southeastern Asian cuisine. After the dinner we found ourselves in a creepy little fishstore where I gaped at sharks and mussels in tanks of smelly water. We finished things off with crepes — I had a large one filled with Nutella and bananas. And was in a massive food coma because of it.
Monday was an early day for a ride across the Golden Gate to the Marin Headlands. We took tons of photos and video on the climb up into the country, most of which are available in my or Naz’s albums. Coming back toward home, we were turned onto Lombard to do the “wiggle”, i.e. avoid the major climbs in the heart of the city. I saw the massive steepness of Lombard ahead and said to Naz, “We’re riding that.” He resisted, but went to it. I got up and powered over the top standing out of the saddle; he tried making a go seated and stalled out and had to walk it 3/4 of the way up. On the way down Lombard (the curviest street in the city, or one of them) we were admired by the tourists for our fetching garb.
Back at the house, we set off immediately for lunch at Frjtz. We shared a salmon crepe and each enjoyed our own batch of fries. Sadly, I missed the regular mayo and ketchup dispensers by the counter — I love regular mayonnaise and I love it on fries. Next time, I suppose.
Six miles of walking later we were off to Judah’s for a night of all-you-can-eat gorging at Goat Hill Pizza. I ate 10-12 slices (they were small!) and salad. My stomach was so full it hurt. It didn’t help matters when we drove down the other curviest street in SF in Judah’s Honda Fit. We finished the night out on Heron’s Head and watched the fog roll in.
Back to Naz and Jen’s and packed the bike up for the flight back to Chicago the next morning.
And now here I am, somewhat sunburnt and sad.
Thoughts:
I can’t spend another winter in Chicago.
SF may be expensive, but if all those urchins can make it, I could too.
The art scene is big in that town with lots of galleries, museums and schools. Are you listening, Allison?
The riding is better than I’ve ever experienced. I may not be a pro cyclist but it’s an activity that consumes my thoughts. Riding in Chicago is depressing, riding in SF is sheer pleasure. Certainly other areas of the country are comparable, but they ain’t in Illinois.
