Golden Gate Social Bike Ride! (pt.2)

[eriktheplaid]

[Cross-posted from my MovableType Blog]

It's a bit short on the notice, but I was wondering if anyone would be interested in trying this again? (this time, with a much more amenable start time!)

Edit: I was just reminded that the Speakeasy anniversary is Saturday. I plan to be incapable of staying upright on a bicycle, thus disqualifying me from doing this on Saturday.
When? Saturday, August 19 or Sunday, August 20th (this coming Sunday). Sometime in the late morning to early afteroon, this time the start time is negotiable. I know better than to give folks a choice, but I'm open both days, if we have a majority one day, we'll try that day. If not, I may just have to ride both days. Who? Anyone who has a bike, can manage to stay (mostly) upright on it, and wants to ride across the Golden Gate Bridge (C'mon! It's fun! You should do it at least once!) What? Riding a bicycle across the Golden Gate Bridge. Also, you might want to consult your doctor about ADHD, and/or cut down on the fine herb that appears to be clouding your short-term memory. Where? At a minimum, the bridge itself, but see below.

I plan to ride from my house and over the Bridge at a minimum. I hope to connect with people along the way. I will stress for the ADHD sufferes out there that this is meant to be a slow, fun, social ride. There are a few options to consider, however nearly all of these can be played by ear.
Options on the Near End

(Note: these have changed since last time, since I've been dissuaded from the Marina ride part.)

1. Ride with me from my house
2. Ride with me from the 22nd St. Caltrain station the best option for S.Bay folks (Note: in spite of my stories about scaling Potrero Hill to get home, there's a relatively flat route from 22nd St. to Golden Gate Park).
3. Meet us somewhere around 17th & Valencia. (This will make sense for some of you.)
4. Meet us in the panhandle (Fell & Baker is probably easiest)
5. Park in the garage in the Marina and climb up to the bridge. I'd like to dissuade folks from this option, it's a shorter distance, but the climb is substantial, and you'll be doing it all at once, and cold.
6. Miraculously find parking in the lot at the Bridge, (or the streets surrounding, manage to coordinate joining us there, rid over the bridge, turn around, ride back, get into the car, go home, secure in the accomplishment of actually riding over the bridge. I strongly recommend against this option, but it is an option.

Options on the Far End

These options are mostly the same, with one addition.

1. Turn around at the Marin end of the bridge, and backtrack. Certainly an option, but take a look at #2 before you settle on this.
2. Continue (almost entirely downhill) into Sausalito, have lunch, or just sit in the park. Take the Ferry back to SF, which lets out close to the garage in the Marina.)
3. Same as above, minus the ferry. (What goes down, must come up. It does, however, feel great to conquer it.)
4. Continue from Sausalito to Tiburon (a gorgeous ride, but it's another 10-15 miles) I, myself, will only consider doing this on the condition that everyone is going, or everyone who is not going is taking the ferry back to SF, and disappearing in their cars immediately after getting off the ferry. We can take the ferry back from Tiburon.
5. Or not. Complete the circuit. I might be up for this, but I reserve the right to wimp out. Contingent on more of the same above.
6. Or a Paradise (Rd.) loop, a much nicer ride but more hills. (But goregous)

Deviations from these options are highly encouraged! Any questions? ASK!