San Franciscans can climb hills. How do you ride in SF with all those hills? This is how.
I always say there’s a way around them, there is. One block or two can make a difference. But once a year the infamous Seven Hells Bike Tour takes place and is all about taking these bad boys straight up. I had never felt like I was capable of doing this, really.
It all began with the headlands ride a few months ago, letting my bike take me the top. Letting my bike open that can of curiosity, wondering if I could just climb one more hill, while at the same time contributing to this bike-confidence that I wouldn’t imagine was there. It is very rewarding to have such terrific views, and having a whole group of riders is alongside and taking these hills in such fearless fashion is pretty inspiring.
I was okay thinking that I might have to walk up some hills, but I found that it was a pain in the butt to haul my Frenchie up a steep hill anyhow, so I just rode the whole way thru. Of course I had to stop a few times, my legs and arms were pretty much ready to go, but it was my lungs that were about to jump out of my body (cardio?! what the hell is that!!?) but anyways, I survived.
I think this is so far the craziest ride I have done so far. Yeah, I broke a sweat and it kicked my ass.
If you live, ride or are familiar with the mean hills of our beloved city, you can see the detailed route: here. Otherwise, here is my description of my view in pictures. After trying to catch up, I finally joined the ride towards maybe halfway thru, on top of the PacHeights stop at Divisadero and Broadway. A nice group of about 20-30 riders throughout the ride, a coffee pit top included at the Ferry building and about. So here they are. Enjoy!
Pac Heights – Divis & Broadway> Ride on Broadway to the top of tunnel> Hyde st> California st>
Ferry Bldg> Embarcadero> King st> 3rd st> 16th st> 21st> HELL!! clipper> MORE HELL
Ride up Twin Peaks: ♥Pretty view. The end
hill troopers. Here the plan is to heading towards nob hill then dropping down to the ferry bldg.
Broadway traffic. Everyday traffic jams like these, Im all for it.
On California st. With the Bay Bridge peaking out the middle.
Embarcadero, heading towards mission bay /3rd st.
My twin peaks buddy. We chatted most of the way up 🙂
The fog lurks in fast.
I borrowed the below group picture from Frank. He has a great set with everyone’s pain game face on, see his Flickr set [here]. These are the survivors of the ride, as he calls it.
Uploaded by geekstinkbreath
