Bike!

[shannon_a]

Staying home tomorrow evening so that my sister can drop off her cat, so I went for a bit of a bike ride today. Took College to 51st, up over the hill, and back down Grand. From there swung around the east and south of Lake Merritt. Then, over to Smart & Final in Oakland and back home via some of the quieter streets (mostly).

I forget that the over-the-hill route isn't as bad from the north as it is from the south. There are only three notable uphills, and all pretty moderate: up College to Broadway, up 51st, and up Grand past Piedmont. The middle of those, going up 51st from Broadway to Piedmont, is the only one that gives me trouble at all any more (and today I had no doubt I could make it).

While on Grand, I stopped by a used book store that I don't think I've visited before. Walden Pond Books. Fairly big. A bit labyrinthine due to close shelves. Overall nice, though I didn't buy anything.

As always, the trip around Lake Merritt was pleasant. I was pretty amazed at how many people were there enjoying the park ~7pm on a weekday.

On the way back home, I took many routes that I take with some frequency (e.g., a bit of Broadway and a bit of Telegraph), and I was surprised how different they look in the early evening sunlight. Riding that last bit of Telegraph, I was particularly struck by how attractive the Campanile looks, perfectly framed by the street.

Except that its lower half is blocked by Barrows Hall.

Stupid Barrows Hall.

12.5 miles. 100 minutes or so, but with stops at a book store and Smart & Final.   

Comments

[webmacher.livejournal.com]

Walden Pond Books! Thanks for the reminder. Good place.