The Best Way to Take in a Giants Game
...of course, it's going to be by bike.
In previous years, my annual game trip was done entirely by bike. I'd ride in from Mill Valley, where I work, usually head to the loft (about a quarter mile from the ballpark) and then change and switch bikes, then ride back and check in to valet. Easy cheesy. This year, I live AND work in Mill Valley, and had wee Z pick-up responsibilities later, so i was forced to drive. However, only as far as the Marina. It was a great plan.
I drove in and got over the bridge, where traffic was starting to collect. I pulled off into the Marina by Crissy Field and parked on a side street. Time check: 3:33pm.
The wrongTank LAUNCHED wrongBike(tm) as if by repulsor, and I was soon on my way, by bike, through the Marina (for some lookie-looing) and then back to the waterfront, over the hop, down through Fisherman's Wharf, and around the bend.
Quick stop by the offices of Lung's Torture, out of principle more than anything.
Ding ding ding! He didn't hear me, and I was off.
The SFBC runs a bike valet in the belly of the ballpark, so it's easy enough to roll up, quick-snap, and drop the ride off. I talked with another fixie guy that was bombing through traffic. He didn't know what inchgear he had, but given the spread, i'd wager high 70s to my 71.2 on this bike. And with that, up to the suite where the party is that i go to each year.
The way back was awesome. On the way over, traffic was blocked up all the way to the Marina, some of the worst ballpark traffic I'd seen yet. Ont he way back, it was still pretty brutal, so I was able to weave through the Embarcadero, having a great ride and not being in that traffic. Nasty headwind on the approach to, and through, Crissy, but then I got back to wrongTank, hopped in, and got into traffic, only to sit behind an accident on the bridge for an hour. But overall, how could I complain?
It was a nice, refreshing, nostalgic reminder of my usual city riding. Same route, same sights, girls and sun and tourists and other bikes. Far better than the game itself. Anyway, so, that's how you take in a Giants game.
Bonus, the SFBC folks liked my bike so much they tried to offer me some of their dessert. HA! Awesome.
