Day 12: Galala to San Francisco

Today, Gregg and Kevin were off with a bit of a bumpy start when Gregg's gears would not shift forcing him to ride back to the hotel to fix his bike. Fortunately, it was nothing major and he was back on the bike before too long and rejoined Kevin on the road. Their adventure unfolded as they pedaled through a series of captivating locations, each offering its own unique charm and allure.

Their route took them past Sea Ranch, a serene coastal community known for its stunning natural beauty including rustic ocean vistas, and homes that are designed to blend in with the environment. As they ventured further, they encountered the rugged landscapes of Salt Point State Park and the tranquil shores of Walsh Landing.

Continuing on their ride, they explored the historic grounds of Fort Ross, the hub of the southernmost Russian settlements in North America from 1812 to 1841and marveled at the views of Black Mountain known for rock formations, dating back to the age of dinosaurs. The journey led them through the pristine landscapes of Jenner Headlands Preserve a spectacular mosaic of redwood and Douglas-fir forests, overlooking the Pacific Ocean continuing across the scenic Russian River, where they proceeded through the enchanting Sonoma Coast State Park, featuring long sandy beaches below rugged headlands, a craggy coastline with natural arches and secluded coves making it one of California's most scenic attractions.

SeaRanch

Fort Ross

Passing by notable landmarks like Hogback Rock and Carmet Beach, they immersed themselves in the coastal wonders of Salmon Creek and the majestic views of Mount Roscoe. Riding through Bodega Bay and along the Bay Highway, they savored the coastal breeze along Walker River, where they transitioned back to Highway 1, connecting them to the captivating coastline near the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary and along the Point Reyes National Seashore.

Their cycling odyssey continued through the charming locales of Stinson Beach and Mount Tamalpais State Park, offering them a blend of coastal splendor and lush greenery. Upon reaching Muir Beach, they ventured inland across the scenic peninsula through Muir Woods in Golden Gate National Recreation Area, known for its towering old-growth redwood trees, traversing through Marin Headlands State Park with its breathtaking vistas of Richardson Bay in Sausalito.

Stinson Beach & Muir Woods

As they pedaled onwards, they crossed the majestic Golden Gate Bridge which was completely socked in with fog so they were unable to get pictures. Once across the bridge they followed along Mason Street until they arrived at The Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. The Palace of Fine Arts is a monumental structure located in the Marina District of San Francisco, California, originally built for the 1915 Panama–Pacific International Exposition to exhibit works of art. Conceived to evoke a decaying ruin of ancient Rome, the Palace of Fine Arts became one of San Francisco's most recognizable landmarks.

The Palace of Fine Arts

Today's ride presented challenges due to the narrow and winding roads along the cliff's edge, making it hard to appreciate the scenery or take photos. The planned elevation gain was supposed to be 7,000 feet, but it turned out to be 9,565 feet, which proved to be especially tough on Gregg's injured leg, resulting in a long day on the bike. Despite the difficulties, Gregg reached San Francisco in time for dinner.

Gregg and Cat will stay with their friend Keith in San Francisco for the night, while Kevin settled in with a friend in Sebastopol, concluding a day filled with exploration, natural beauty, and unforgettable memories.

The ride today covered 123 miles with 9,565 in elevation with a total ride time of 7 hours and 57 minutes, averaging 15.49 mph.