Richmond-San Rafael Bridge Bike Trial

Historical Marker from path Just coming off the path at the crosswalk before Point Richmond, a handful of cyclists loaded bikes into their cars, I thought it an odd place to park. Ahead a man cruising around in a three-wheeler was slow to cross the walk as he waved a departure to the cyclists. The light was green and getting stale. As we crossed he motioned to me and relayed that a cyclist had just died, not more than an hour prior at that spot. Not a car wreck or some crazy accident falling off a cliff, just a stumble on the ADA ramp apparently. It was chilling. His co-cyclists, all in the same pink-highlighted jerseys and socks slowly continued walking their bikes away and packing them into nearby cars. Had I not heard from the cruiser guy, the remnants of someone's life would have passed me by. Brothers and Sisters from Bridge On the return trip, I stopped at the red waiting to cross. From the opposite side of the street, a guy came flying down the hill, whistling and...

Municipal Natatorium, Pt. Richmond, CA A building containing a swimming pool,  according to Wikipedia .  Taking my normal route I noticed the natatorium...neat! More commonly known as The Plunge, this particular pool was recently refurbished as a result of community support and is listed on the National Register of Historic places.  Of greater interest after biking into the wind and working up an appetite is the little restaurant directly across the street with no visible name but a sign reading, "1/3 pound hamburger, Homemade Pie, Breakfast". Looks like a place that should be spared any Yelp research - just jump in and try it. Have to remember by bike lock next time. Another new find, the  Golden State Model Railroad Museum , Pt. Richmond, CA

Fewer riders and walkers but enough to see the diversity of use from recreation to fitness and some fishing.

Getting a coffee or donut in a new spot, taking the back way and seeing something new in a familiar haunt, speeding past cars stuck in traffic....the allures of cycling. I've driven over the Richmond Bridge dozens of times, even using  Rosie the Riveter  as a meeting point on ocasion. Biking through allows exploration of my just-over-the-bay-neighborhood in a more intimate fashion. On my second cycle over,  Point Richmond is the sweet spot to stop and refresh.  Going under the always busy 580, the bike path delivers you into the heart of Point Richmond's small downtown with a few coffee shops, hair studios, clothing stores and restaurants. It has a welcoming vibe that sets it apart from what you might assume to be only an industrial area when passing on the freeway. I pulled over at Starbucks to grab a breather and a snack. Noticing my bike, a woman stopped to ask, "You from the other side? Did you take the bridge?". She relayed that just yesterday she'd taken...

Relaxing on the couch late Friday night, already in my PJs, watching Nature on PBS...feeling that everything is safe and comfortable and I will drift into sleep. Nope! My partner interrupts this hazy, lazy mood to alert me about an event ...less than 9 hours away in the morning. The Richmond Bridge Bike Lane is finally open and MCBC is hosting a celebratory ride. Wasn't I already nearly asleep and on into my morning of sleeping in? Can't I feign ignorance? The Nature program, however, argued in favor of taking the opportunity. It featured these large bats, the biggest of their kind. In order to cool themselves, and avoid death, they are compelled to swoop down into crocodile infested waters . Basically, to live they have to risk death. Turns out it's probably the same for humans except I wasn't risking death, only breaching the very tight comfort zone I'd built. So I did it, completed my second group ride ever, and made it over the Richmond Bridge and back alongs...