Even though the skies looked ominous this morning it turned out to be a very nice day. People began collecting at McGuire's at around 9:00 AM and there was a steady trickle of arrivals till we departed at just after 10:00 AM.
We staged two groups with 26 bikes total under the BART tracks as usual, and after sorting out who was going to ride in which group, we were on our way. We rode down Main St to Geary, to Pleasant Hill, to Grayson and then onto Reliez Valley. We went into single file formation as we made our way along Reliez Valley to Alhambra Valley and then to Pinole Valley. Though it didn't rain on us all day, the 'valley' roads were still a little wet from the rains late last night. We proceeded cautiously as we made our way over to I80 and headed south. We were only on I80 for a couple of miles before we followed the Fitzgerald Exit onto Richmond Pkwy and made our way through San Pablo and Richmond to 580. The left turn light from Castro St to the on ramp for 580 west is really quick, so all of group two didn't make the light and they weren't able to catch up before we reached the toll plaza. We pulled over just before the toll plaza to wait for them so they wouldn't have to pay their tolls twice. Aren't we considerate ;?) Once they caught up we proceeded across the bridge, took Sir Frances Drake Blvd to Hwy 101 south and exited at Madera Blvd in Corte Madera for our stop at the Safeway store. This was a 'bring your own lunch' ride, but some couldn't bring lunch so we factored in the Safeway stop so they could get some vittles. We expected to find group one there when we pulled in, but we didn't see a one of them. After getting food for those that needed it, we were on our way again.
We merged onto 101 south again for a few miles before exiting in Marin City onto Bridgehead Rd. As we rode through Tiberon we saw group one at the Safeway store there (that explains why we didn't see them in Corte Madera). They appeared to be lining up to get back on the road, but group two was now in the lead. We continued through Sausalito on Bridgehead and had a perfect view of Richardson San Francisco Bays on our left. As we exited Sausalito to the south we noted a flurry of police activity and some tow trucks. We didn't see where the accident had been, but there were a couple of crumpled cars left as evidence of a 'not so good' day for someone.
We then made a right turn onto Bunker Rd and paid our obligatory 5 min. homage to the signal light at the tunnel. Then it was our turn and through the tunnel we went. I dearly love the sound of a group of Harleys as we ride through a tunnel. Before we knew it we emerged back into the sunlight and were making a left turn onto McCullough Rd and headed up the hill overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge. As we made our right turn onto Conzelman Rd we were treated to a beautiful view of the San Francisco Bay. We could see the GG Bridge, SF, TI, Angel Island, and the Bay Bridge all at the same time. Oh, and there was a blimp that just seemed to be floating over the bay. As I said, a beautiful view. We rode past the Point Bonita Lighthouse and up into the park.
We pulled over in the park for ten minutes or so hoping group one would catch up, but we got impatient and made our way down the hill to the Nike Missile Site. Group one finally arrived at the Nike Site while we were parking. Seems they'd had some bike problems that had delayed them a few minutes, but all was well now.
We brought our food over to the picnic tables and ate before touring the facilities. This is an impressive tour and if you haven't taken it yet you should put it on your list of places to visit.
All too soon it was time to go home. Some had left on their own, but most of the remaining riders returned as one group the way we had come.
A fantastic day for a ride and good conversation with friends. Let's do it again tomorrow!
