Another Challenging Day

Yesterday's ride into San Francisco was gorgeous, sunny and warm. This morning San Francisco proved true to its nature. After reading Scripture and praying together with Diana in our hotel room, I started my ride. It was 50 degrees, and the wind was whipping the fog in off the ocean. You could hardly see anything, and I knew I couldn't be seen from very far off, even with two strobing tail lights on me and my bike. I said a special prayer for God's protection and started climbing to get "down" to the ocean. I actually had to climb for several miles before making a harrowing descent through the fog down to sea level.

Just a few miles south of San Francisco Highway 1 narrowed to two lanes with no shoulder, and I started another windy 700 foot climb over one of the many mountains by the sea. With the fog this five mile stretch was very scary, with fog blowing in my face, and cars whipping by constantly. But God was faithful and got me through this difficult section safely.

After this the climbs became shorter and less steep, and the shoulder wider so things got a little easier. Diana and I met in Half Moon Bay for a nice lunch. One of the wonderful things of riding a bike in new territory is moving slowly enough to appreciate all the unique trees and flowers that God has created. I shot this picture on my way out of town after lunch. I've never seen a tree with red "puff balls" on it before.


As I rode down the coast it got windier and windier. Fortunately, most of the time he winds were from the side or they were a tail wind. A few times, while racing down a descent they nearly knocked me off the bike. This is something I have learned to be prepared for as I descend to sea level and the road is open to the beach. The cross winds are terrible then. There are people who love it, though. Today there were hundreds of wind surfers and kite surfers taking advantage of the strong winds. Diana snapped this picture.


Somewhere along the line on one of many climbs I suffered a mild groin pull on the right side. As it grew worse with each climb, it made the final miles painful. Between the wind and the pain I was happy to get off the bike. Santa Cruz is a wild beach town, with a boardwalk amusement park and casino on the beach. Surfers and motorcycles galore! I don't think we'll have a quiet night in the motel room, which is right on the main drag down to the boardwalk. We can see the roller coaster from our hotel room. No, I won't be riding it. I've been on my own roller coaster for two weeks!

One of the Scriptures we read this morning was Lamentations 3:22-23. "Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." This trip has really brought that verse to life for me, with God supplying new mercies every morning of our trip. I pray that God will make this Word of prommise true in your life as well.

Tomorrow is another "rest" day, and I am thankful for it. The plan is to ride to Monterey, before the big ride along the famous stretch of coast by Big Sur on Tuesday. Here is a map of tomorrow's ride. Please give thanks and praise to God for protection today in the fog, and pray for healing overnight so that I can ride strong tomorrow. May God bless and keep you all in his loving care.


P.S. Thanks to you who have left comments on the blogs. We love them! Through my mother-in-law I found out that not everyone knows you can click on a picture to make it full size. They are much better "blown up." I guess I should have said these things two weeks ago.