August 26 - Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate bridge has always captivated me. Is it a work of art, engineering marvel, scenic highway, lifeline between San Francisco and Marin County, or all of the above? When the 1.7 mile long Golden Gate Bridge was completed in 1937 it was the longest main suspension bridge in the country. It’s bright, unique color – International Orange – has beckoned to me since I was a little child. Today I got to explore the bridge from Battery Spencer – a 19th century concrete battery nestled right at the base of the iconic bridge.

While in San Francisco, I like to stay at Muir Woods Lodge, a clean and reasonably priced hotel in Marin County just a few feet from the onramp to highway 101 and only a few exits away from the Golden Gate bridge. After loading my bike this morning, I jumped right on 101 and headed south to the Alexander Avenue exit, the access point for Conzelman road. After turning onto Bunker Road and going through the one-way tunnel, I headed up McCullough Road and took the second exit at the roundabout for Conzelman Road and Battery Spencer.

I was absolutely delighted to find a parking space at the Battery right away, giving me as much time as I wanted to explore the battery as well as the base of the Golden Gate. I took pictures from a variety of angles, trying to capture the size and essence of the bridge. However, I do feel that the strength and magnitude of the engineering marvel is best experienced in person.

Conzelman Road has two main loops – one to Battery Spencer and the other up Hawk Hill. Because both provide off-the-charts spectacular views of the Golden Gate Straight, the city of San Francisco, and the Pacific Ocean I decided to do each loop twice this morning before heading east. This road was and continues to be one of my top five rides in the country. What a treat!

I was honored and delighted to be able to join my cousin Mark and Aunt Beth for lunch in Walnut Creek and my step daughter, Emily, and her husband for dinner north of Sacramento. I feel truly blessed to have such wonderful people in my life and am glad that my road trip gave me the opportunity to spend time with them. As my trip nears its end I have been reflecting on how important and impactful it is to have a strong community of family and friends in our lives.