If you're so Inclined...

We've made it to San Fran! thanks entirely to Rush's father, who scooped us and our bikes up way out east, and delivered us to the doorstep of our takeoff. He singlehandedly drove 21+ of the 34 (STRAIGHT) hours it took to get us out here, refused monies for gasolines, AND slipped Rush the means for a fantastic final meal. Goodness. Gracious. That brillo boy comes from good stock...

We've been staying for the past few nights at the in-home gallery/workspace/terribly nice oakland cornerstop of one Robin Weinert: printmaker, skater, gallery owner et al. Robin and Shane go way back to MICA- where they lived young lives of raucous ribaldry and (green) moonshine. Robin's been leading us and our eager bikes across these misty realms while we try to get rid of our backseat legs and find our pedals. Our very first day in these 'hills' Robin took us straight up the biggest/steepest thing I ever did see. So tall that clouds enveloped the top. He raced straight to the peak- shane following suite (and thinking it fine to wind into opposing lanes of traffic to ease the trek). Rush was almost up there with them, stopping only to walk with me up the midway point. And my flatland loosiana legs laughed at the thought. BUT we all made it to the top (through footfall and cycle), where we ate... more peanut butter. And looked out over all the bay, and sighed sighs of deep satisfaction. (and pretended not to think about the mountains to come)

And now we're off to a bike shop for some last minute details. like BRAKE CABLES. more posting later, while we've still got this luxury computer link...