The day before setting off was a whirlwind. I flew into San Francisco and met my bike, which I had shipped ahead to the hotel. I was hoping everything arrived in one piece—and luckily it did. I spent the evening reassembling the bike in the hotel room, packing up all my gear, making the inevitable last minute supply run, and getting everything ready to roll. After that, it was time to grab a few hours of sleep before the real adventure began.
The ride kicked off at the ferry terminal in Sausalito. Right out of the gate, I crossed the Golden Gate Bridge under heavy clouds and scattered rain. From there, I wound through the streets of San Francisco and down the coastline toward Half Moon Bay.
The first day brought cold rain, strong winds, and plenty of puddles—but the excitement of finally being on the road kept me warm. The plan is to take it easy on the miles for the first few days of the tour. I covered about 37 miles and climbed 2,800 feet. Riding across the bridge with the stormy ocean in the background was unforgettable. The coastline looked wild and powerful, the perfect backdrop to start this ride.