Wet gear on, I continued.
A couple of miles down the road the others had pulled over to wait for
me. We fuelled up and those that had waterproofs and also hadn’t put them on,
took the opportunity to do so. Some people though, including our SA contingent
hadn’t brought any with them, so were in for a soaking. Oh well, sh*t happens!
Today was all about getting to San Francisco, so no pulling
over to view nice views. Even if there were any, we wouldn’t have been able to
see them through the rain, mist and general gloom. I can’t overstate what a
crappy day today has been.
We had to make our way out of the last bit of the Sierra
Nevada as we headed North West. The road up and back down was very twisty. In
the dry we could have had some serious fun, in the wet, we were in serious
danger of coming a cropper, so full attention was given to where we were
planting the wheels, braking, etc. I had the Go-pro on to show what a wet and
miserable day it was. As we approached
one bend we were waved across the road by a crew attending a car on its side.
Not really sure how the driver managed to get it where he/she did though but
that will be interesting to watch back.
We stopped at a little mining village called Coulterville,
to let some stragglers catch up and take a comfort break. I think that was one
of the few places it had actually stopped raining. There was very little visible,
apart from a disused general store, an old hotel and a couple of other shops, though
there was a fairly modern sports ground, where the restrooms were located.
We continued on our way, really just ticking off the miles.
There was a stop for coffee, which allowed me to do a bit of blog, then we were
back on the road till our lunch stop. As we arrived, the rain suddenly started
to pour down, so we ran for cover. Another large lunch and some blackberry iced
tea followed. The rain had stopped by the time we left, though it would start
again as we approached San Francisco. The roads on the highway weren't
particularly good and they had a section of concrete, with the connecting bumps
between the sections. Bump, bump, bump, every few seconds, combined with 2+
glasses of blackberry tea, soon had me feeling a little uncomfortable. I’d been
alright when we left the restaurant but now, all I could think about was
wanting to pee. A few potholes and other road defects didn’t help either. I was
beginning to think I’d need to pull over on the hard shoulder, when SF loomed
through the gloom. We took the Bay Bridge across into the city, Dean having to
pay for all the bikes and the truck, $96 dollars in total. From the bridge we
could see out into the bay and could make out Alcatraz. Beyond it should have
been the Golden Gate Bridge but such was the gloom, it wasn’t visible.
Having endured the
usual glut of city traffic lights, we arrived at our hotel for the next 2
nights, the Marriot, Fisherman’s Wharf. Needless to say, I was first to the restroom!
After freshening up, Dud and I went out for some supper.
Beautiful crab cakes, clam chowder and scallops/shrimps in a basket, with fries,
all washed down with Blue Moon and Sierra Nevada. Stuffed full to bursting we
dragged our weary bodies back to the hotel. It’s almost time for bed.
Tomorrow is a non riding day. Dud and I shall be off about 9am for
our trip to Alcatraz, followed by the city tour. I was the only one organised
enough to have booked in advance, so the others will have to make do with the
hop on, hop off bus. I’m sure that will be good though, so long as it doesn’t
rain again. An open top bus is almost as bad a place to be as on a motorcycle in the rain! The forecast isn’t that good though.
Mileage over the last couple of days amounts to around 400 I
think, not including the mile I walked in search of cash last night.
Didn't use the camera today, so no photos to add, sorry.
And finally, a BIG Wild West Happy Birthday to our Wild Hog chum, Grizzly. Have a beer or 3 for us.
Will do Woody. Cheers
ReplyDeleteDave Gearhart says it never rains in CA.
ReplyDeleteIt pours, man it pours.
ReplyDelete