It’s that time of year in Seattle: Relentless rainy season. Blah.
Since we are finally finished with one room in our remodel, it seemed like a good time to get away and recharge on sunshine, so, we did! The Bay Area is a do-able (long) drive for us and is really one of our favorite places to go. We decided to have a bike/run/ski getaway while still getting our work done. Translation: It’s not a vacation but we’re packing it to the gills with fun stuff while not working.
Saturday, we did a great hike outside of Alamo with 2Chili’s cousins and their dogs. The big hill looming in the distance here is Mt. Diablo, and it was the site of Sunday’s bike ride. Northern California is gorgeous this time of year because the grass is still green!
On Sunday, we set out for an epic adventure named riding our bikes up Mt. Diablo.
Climbing Mt. Diablo should not be taken lightly. It is about a 10 mile uphill slog that climbs 3800 feet with an average grade of around 6%, but sections that are steeper.
We broke it into chunks which were really meeting points every 3 miles so that we could each go our own pace. This really was so I didn’t hold up The Climber. I am fast on the flats, have a descent sprint, and am a good descender, but a climber I am not. It is important to know your limits when undertaking such a big climb or the day can go very, very wrong! See, all smiles (and all alone, 2Chili is very far up the road by this point).
I was content to go my pace, he was content to go his, and, he usually got a nice rest at each of the stopping points before I tardily arrived. It was a gorgeous day and this is a very popular bike route, so it was fun to be in the mix with folks getting their exercise before watching the Super Bowl. The ride down was a welcome respite, and we are easily able to stay together when the road turns downward.
Speaking of the Super Bowl, the absolute best time to go into San Francisco is on Super Bowl Sunday when the 49ers are playing. It was oddly vacant and we enjoyed!
After a little sightseeing, we headed over to Half Moon Bay for dinner and caught a brilliant sunset. If you are ever near Half Moon Bay, CA, high tail it to Barbara’s Fish Trap and order the clam chowder. It is perhaps the best clam chowder I have ever eaten. Delish.
And with that, I’ll pick up with some more photos later. You never know what we might encounter on this little getaway…
Oh wow!! Love the views, jealous of the ride!! Glad you got away for some sunshine and riding
Sincerely,
Snowing in Ohio
Next time take me with you … So very tired of the rain! Glad you guys are having fun!
Wow, how gorgeous. What a nice time! And I’m shocked that SF is empty during their superbowl. Is everyone at home watching? or is it that they all fly to the game? I thought everyone would be out celebrating in the bars and restaurants!!!