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Bill Bikes My bicycling expeditions and jaunts |
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Bike the Bridge again, November 2019
Richmond - San Rafael Bridge bike path, take two: A Photographic Log
22 November, 16 miles
When I bicycled the grand opening of the new bike path on the Richmond - San Rafael Bridge last week, I expected to be able to photograph some interesting views from the top deck on the summit of the structure. Along with several hundred (maybe a couple thousand) other cyclists, I enjoyed the inaugural ride, but the scenery proved extremely limited due to the thick marine layer—not unusual—blanketing the Bay.After yet another Sonoma County "public safety" power shutdown, I returned today to pedal across the bridge again. This time I anticipated fewer cyclists (like maybe a dozen) but more views.
As it turned out, I encountered about a hundred other bikes on the bridge. Although it's still a novelty, it's encouraging to see so many bikers taking advantage of the controversial path. As to scenery, it was much improved. Lack of fog made for much better views. However, the photography remained a little tricky. Shooting north, everything looked bright, sunny, and colorful. Shooting south, with haze in the air and sun very low in the sky, everything looked like an entirely different world, much grayer and fuzzier.
One of these days I'll cycle across the bridge in perfectly clear weather, if that ever happens around here again. In the meantime, here are some photos from a slightly hazy excursion.
As soon as the Ogre and I pulled out of the Target parking lot, the bridge loomed in the distance.
Last time, it was completely invisible due to fog.
I took a photo of the Marin Rod and Gun Club pier from almost exactly the same spot last time.
Here's a much brighter view.
This shot from the tiny park at the foot of the bridge in San Rafael gives an idea of where we're going.
The last bit of solid ground before heading across water.
Now the contours of the bridge really come into focus. It's a monster.
From the San Rafael side, the eastbound and westbound lanes start out flat and side-by-side. Then the westbound lanes and the bike path climb above the eastbound lanes, making the bridge a double-decker. Next comes a long grade up to the summit as the structure rises above the shipping channel. From the summit, the bridge dips down before unexpectedly rising again. After the second, slightly lower apex, the bridge descends toward the Richmond shore and the double-deck flattens out, with eastbound and westbound traffic side-by-side again at the toll plaza.
Not so noticeable from an automobile, but on a bike it's almost like riding a rollercoaster.
After a slight curve to the right, the climb to the summit begins.
I paused on the climb to check out the scenery.
Looking west, there's Mount Tamalpais and San Quentin State Prison, with the ferry leaving Larkspur en route to San Francisco.
During baseball season, the ferry also plies the Bay to McCovey Cove when the Giants have home games.
When I see San Quentin I'm always reminded of Rufe, a guy I met while I was circumnavigating the Salton Sea on my Long Haul Trucker.
When he learned I was from the North Bay, Rufe proudly told me he used to live in "Marine" County. In prison, where he was incarcerated for a multiplicity of DUIs.
Still climbing.
Another view down the incline toward San Rafael and Marin County.
To the northeast, off Point San Pablo, that's East Brother Island with it's light station, keeping Bay sailors safe since 1873.
Nowadays it also features a Bed and Breakfast Inn.
Almost at the summit.
Some great girders up there.
From the summit, another view toward the west.
Along the bike path, a sign with lots of information about the bridge.
I've heard the length of the bike path touted as 4 miles, 5.5 miles, and 6 miles. This sign goes with 5.5 "including approaches." My (imperfectly calibrated) bike computer measured the "actual bridge" (from land to land, as best I could determine) at close to 5 miles.
Looking south into haze and glare, the skyline of San Francisco begins to come into view for the first time.
That's the western span of the Bay Bridge to the left, the cityscape (dominated by the new Salesforce tower), Angel Island, and Bluff Point near Tiburon on the mainland. The Golden Gate Bridge is hidden off to the right.
Another view from the highest part of the bridge.
Looking north at the quarry and Point San Pedro outside San Rafael.
From a little farther along, another view toward San Francisco.
Cap'n Will and Mary might be on the Bay aboard their sailboat.
The Cool Gray City of Love.
The best I can do from this distance with so much haze and glare.
A tanker coming in empty under the bridge, ready to fill 'er up at the sprawling Chevron refinery.
From the second summit, a good view west showing girders, dip, and incline to the first summit.
Back on dry land by the toll plaza at the east terminus of the bridge and bike path in Richmond.
I are here. A helpful map by the path near the toll plaza.
I headed into Richmond.
Nice wall along the Richmond bike path.
From here, I could easily connect to the park at Point Richmond.
From that park, I've previously biked the trail all the way to the eastern span of the Bay Bridge and Treasure Island. Not today.
Today, here I met another bicyclist from the North Bay who was looking for the trail along the Bay to Treasure Island. I explained how to reach the trail, but it required a little bit of riding through the streets of Richmond. I don't think he was kidding when he asked me if that route required carrying a gun. I guess Richmond doesn't have a great reputation.
From Standard Avenue, I reversed course, retraced my steps, pedaled back to the vicinity of the toll plaza, then followed Stenmark Drive north to Point Molate Park. From the edge of the Bay at the little park I had a good look at the monstrous bridge. It's no beauty, but it makes for a great ride.
And then it was time to pedal back across to the Marin side and head for home.
Summary
Date: 22 November 2019
Time: 11:00 - 1:00
Weather: 60 - 65° F, hazy
Route: Richmond - San Rafael Bridge bike path
Distance: 16 miles
Bike: Ogre
Riders: Solo
Comments? Questions? Suggestions? I'd like to hear from you.
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