Day 31 A Day in the Bay, San Francisco that is. (Not sure of miles but lots of hills)

I left Ocean view motel feeling fully charged and ready to check out the sights of Downtown San Francisco. First stop as I was close was to try and get a photo of the first championship golf course I had got to since setting off. Later on my trip there will be more as the west coast is home to legendary courses. I pulled the trusty steed into the drive way of The Olympic Club and rode up the hill (surprise surprise). I spoke to a group crossing the road from one tee to another as they didn't expect to see a pannier laden bike entering the hallowed club. I explained that I wanted to try to get a photo of the club house and eighteenth green. They advised to be quick as the ground staff were pretty strict on anything other than members coming to play golf. I didn't hang about and got as close as I could so to get the money shot I was after. Phil 1 - Olympic Club 0. Next I took my bike in for a check over as the back wheel needed straightening, spokes needed tightening and the crank was making some strange noises. While it was being done I popped next door and had my head serviced by an old Mr Miaggi lookalike barber. I did have to wake him up when I walked in as he was fast asleep in the barbers chair. When I collected my bike I then went to my hostel for the night to check in. I was sharing a room with three other travellers but after catching a whiff of someone's feet or trainers I simply dropped my bags off and left for the day. If I was stopping there then it was going to be only while I was asleep. I rode down to Pier 39 on the advice of Nadene from Sacremento who I had travelled with from Chicago. It's a total tourist venue. Good shops, good food and plenty to do. If you come here, I recommend it for an afternoon. I then went into Lombard Street, the very famous street that goes down a hill in a zig zag formation. It was a mare to find and ride to with all the streets being so steep but when you get there the actual street is great to ride down. Even more so as it's a one way street.

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I went for a ride around Haight District in the early evening and really felt the bohemian atmosphere with the gallery cafes and restaurants. I finished my day not far from the hostel in an English style pub having a couple of IPA's, some food and a nice chat with a girl called Raven from Oakland who was on her lunch break from the Sushi Bar next door. I was supposed to be staying in the hostel for two nights but those feet pushed me to cancel the second night and I sorted a warmshowers room in a place called Foster City.