Day 240: Happy Valentine's Day

Wow, what a beautiful day it was today. It was a perfect day for those interested in celebrating Valentine’s Day. The skies were clear, and the temperatures were near perfect as they approached sixty degrees. Did I say “wow” already? I’m so happy that spring is approaching. I was dangerously close to a winter meltdown in terms of making it through R2R.

I had a very slow start to the morning after waking up feeling like I might possibly have a cold coming on. I had hoped that it was simply allergies. During the past ten years or so I’ve developed a few seasonal allergies. They started for me when I entered my early thirties. I’ve isolated most of them to a few of the local flora, and this year they’re starting early. The Acacia in particular tend to hit me the hardest and they’re out in their full and glorious bloom right now, so I think that’s what hit me this morning. I rode through a whole grove of them yesterday... Uugh.

After sloughing off my morning allergy attack, and after taking a Zyrtec, I suited up and rode down my driveway towards an unknown destination. I had planned on attending my favorite meeting at the Knolls today, but that was now out, so I was now on a new path on this beautiful day.

I chose to ride on the mountain since it was such a fantastic day. I decided to begin my ascent by riding up the Tender Foot Trail. I’d not been up that route in a while. There’s a new tree down on the trail, and I’m not sure if it should be cleared, or left as a "fun" trail feature. I’ll confer with my riding buddies. Us mountain bikers do a lot of trail maintenance that goes unacknowledged.

As I reached the Mountain Home Inn I could immediately tell that Mount Tamalpais was really busy with visitors today. The parking area across the street was packed and all of the overflow parking was already filled. I should have known this given the great weather, and the fact that today is Valentine’s Day.

From there I rode up the Gravity Car trail. Along the way I bumped into some of my favorite people, “H” and “D.” They were out on their bikes doing a little celebrating of their own on Valentine’s Day. It was great to run into them, and to catch up with them briefly while we were all on our bikes. After our visit I rode up to the inn. During my ascent I passed dozens of couples that we spending some quality time together. I must say, I sure was envious of those that have partners, but the envy aside, I’m also inspired to see so many happy couples.

I spent the late afternoon with a good friend. We walked Tugboat around one of his favorite places, Fort Mason. We walked all around the Center’s grounds, and then checked out the International Youth Hostel where they have a great semi-hidden café. The views from there are amazing. The military obviously had good taste when they acquired the land on which Fort Mason sits. We bumped into this amazing pink Cadillac that was playing a role in a wedding. Elvis anyone?!?

As I write tonight, and I feel like I’ve already said enough for today, I’m amazed to think that I have 135 rides to go before completing my year-long commitment to R2R. I set off on this journey as a way to heal, but it’s now become a part of my daily life. That said, the really weird part for me is that thinking about doing another 135 rides, especially with good weather on its way, really doesn’t sound so bad! When I started this project I thought that making it to 60 consecutive rides sounded pretty difficult, so here I am after completing 230 consecutive rides. I've always believed in myself, even as a child, but when I took this on I never knew just how hard it would be. It's all about the journey, and not so much about the destination.

Tonight will be my second Valentine’s Day that I’ll spend solo. Maybe that will change, and then again, maybe it won’t. Tugboat is looking forward to what I’m about to put on the grill. He’s such a lover, as long as you have food!