Saturday April 21, 2012
18 miles (29 km) – Total so far: 359 miles (578 km)

After yesterday’s hectic running about, Nancy and I decided to take it easy this morning. With a new wheel gleaming on the back of my trike, we headed out to Sausalito to do a short ride around the Richardson Bay. We found a place to park in Sausalito, and then joined the hoards of cyclists riding the bike trail around the Bay to Tiburon.

It was an unusually warm day for San Francisco, and the good weather brought out people in droves. You can see why – it really is a pretty ride. As we rode, we got to take in the lovely views across the water.

The trail runs directly in front of the headquarters of the Richardson Bay Audubon Society. The old house (called the Lyford House) was built in 1876 as the main residence of a dairy farm on neighboring Strawberry Point. It was barged over to its present site in 1957 after local conservationists saved it from the wrecker’s ball. After restoration, it served as headquarters for those groups. Later, the National Audubon Society assumed title to Lyford House.

Once into Tiburon, we headed for the harbor. Small boats and pleasure craft crowd the slips in the popular harbor.

The short ride had worked up our appetites, so we headed to a local favorite – Sam’s Cafe – to meet our friend Dianne for lunch on the patio. The place was great, and the scene on the patio was a real kick. Lots of young folks partying like mad. We enjoyed Sam’s famous burgers and drinks, and really enjoyed saying goodbye to Diane and thanking her for letting us stay with her during our time in San Francisco.

After lunch, we headed back to Sausalito, packed up the car, and headed to Sacramento for Sunday’s ride on the American River Trail…