Remember when I used to blog all the time? Like from 2005-2013? Im gonna start trying to do that again. It’s a lot harder now to find the time with a family, work, and other things in life, but i’m gonna try.

Anyways………… I headed to San Francisco the last week of February. For years I’ve wanted to work Pokemon Day (Feb 27th) at my friend Sara’s shop Royalty Tattoo Collective in Burlingame. I haven’t traveled very much since Covid so I had a bunch of flier miles that have just been stacking. This seemed like an appropriate time to use them. This was also an opportunity to do some riding on the other side of the Golden Gate. So I packed up my trusty 2015 Ritchey Breakaway Cross and some tattoo supplies and headed down.

I borrowed a Post Carry Transfer bag (thanks Sky) for my ritchey instead of putting in it’s own travel case. The breakaway case works, but its a super tight fit. The case was designed to avoid luggage fees. Now that Alaska only charges a sporting good fee I wanted to try a different bag with more space. Usually upon building my bike after its been handled by TSA and bad throwers the wheels are out of true and theres scratches and gouges out of my frames and crankset. The Post Carry case was awesome. You gotta take off the fork, which is a little pain in the ass. More so cause your hands get mad greasy. I was super happy with the bag and my front wheel only need a minor adjustment. A+ bag Post Carry.

Nope. Both candy bars were still there when I got home to Portland.

Some tattoos I made during my guest spot at Royalty

I also did a basic coil machine seminar while I was there for a few folks at the shop. I really enjoy doing seminars because I love talking about coil tattoo machines. I strongly believe the more you about your tools the better you work will be.

Quick bite and espresso at Four Barrel Coffee to start the ride off right.

I had never been on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge so I made it a “must do” this trip. My friend Michael rode me to the end of the bridge, but had to turn around because he had to work. I wanted to go up Hawk Hill, but Michael strongly suggested I go through Sausalito because there was more to see.

Shout out to Metropolis Cycles for cleaning up and putting a new group on my 11 year old Ritchey. I love this bike to death.

Rode the Sausalito path for a bit then at a stop light asked the two dudes in front of me if there was some climbing close by. One of the dudes replied, “Follow Us.” Rode up Camino Alto which was a really chill climb. So chill that my rear wheel was rubbing the brakes and I didn’t feel it.

The top of the climb just sort of looped back around to the descent down. The pavement was so fresh and smooth on the way down. Combined with 35c almost new gravel kings it was a plush ride. Cars were very mindful of the cyclists on the climb. Also on Michael’s recommendation I took the ferry back to the other side of the bridge.

Saw Alcatraz for the first time while on the ferry.

On the way back I stopped at the Rad Radish for some lunch. It’s a cool little vegan joint a few blocks off of Market St.

That night my wonderful hosts took me to the Taco Bell Cantina in Pacifica. The back patio offers a beautiful view of the coast. However that shit was packed when we got there. The cantina had a bar there serving up some alcoholic freezes. The biggest bummer was THEY RAN OUT OF BAJA BLAST SODA that night. What a fucking let down.