Blazing Saddles

Before we came on holiday, we booked a guided bike tour over the Golden Gate Bridge and into Sausilito.  It was great, although we were with quite a big group and therefore we cycled at a steady pace on the flat, where Alan and I would have gone quicker if we were on our own.  There were plenty of photo opportunities, but there were other times where I spotted something that I'd have liked to have taken a photo of, and couldn't because I'd have got left behind.  It's possible just to hire the bikes for a day rather than doing the tour, but that would have meant stopping and looking at a map to find out which way we had to go, so I think there's pros and cons with each option.

We cycled through the Marina area where houses cost in the region of 4 million dollars, but they're prone to flooding if there was an earthquake and therefore can't be insured, so they have no equity in them!  It's crazy, but a lovely area.

We had a brief stop at the base of the bridge, before cycling up a long winding hill to get to it, but once on the bridge it was an easy ride - there's a dedicated cycle lane on one side and pedestrians on the other.

Once we arrived in Sausilito, our guide left us and we were free to do our own thing as the bikes didn't have to be returned until 8pm.  So we parked our bikes up and went for a bit of lunch and as we sat down the sun came out.  I've learnt after only two days here, that it's cloudy and grey in the mornings and the sun comes out in the afternoon.

After lunch we walked through this lovely little town - there's plenty of gift shops and places to eat, and then as you walk out of town you come to some house boats that we'd seen on a TV programme some time ago.  They're amazing and some are converted from World War II landing craft.

Anyway, after an 8.5 mile ride, we decided to get the ferry back to the city and had a great view point of the bridge with the blue sky.

We're both shattered tonight, so are having a lazy night with champagne and sushi that we bought earlier, and probably another early night as I was awake again at 4.30 am!

By the way, my title has come from the name of the bike company - Blazing Saddles