Studmuffins

Yesterday, I took The Kids out to SF for a bike ride. On the weekends when the weather is nice, we've been doing this more and more. They can really ride well, even uphill and for longer and longer distances. We started out riding in Golden Gate Park, and then pushed further and further into the park, and once I felt comfortable we ventured out into the neighborhoods a bit. We practiced all the rules of the road in the Panhandle- using the bell, stopping at the light. Following each other carefully. Warning and passing pedestrians, stopping at stop signs. We took turns leading and following. We always park on Fell, at the start of the Panhandle, where it's easy to unload the bikes from the van (and we are close to their favorite pizza place). Next, we took a trip down into the Mission to visit Tia Michelle via a route called "The Wiggle". The Wiggle is an old route that is now marked by a special bike lane. It's known to locals as the easiest way to get between the Mission and GGP, while navigating the easiest slope. Going back and forth through the lower Haight and climbing up to the Panhandle. The kids loved it! It's so great riding through SF, looking at all the pretty houses, and winding through the neighborhoods. Next, we tried riding out of the park into the Inner Richmond. Zoe loves going to Green Apple (used book store Mecca), so we rode there, and back into the park. Yesterday, we topped ourselves. We rode from Baker St., all the way into the park to the Windmills, and finally Ocean Beach. After some sand play, we rode up Balboa, up the hills, and into the Inner Richmond to the bookstore. The kids were amazing. Ocean Beach is about 45th Ave or so. Green Apple is at 6th Ave. Then we stopped for a break at Toy Boat dessert cafe for ice cream cones before heading back into the park (up another hill 5 blocks over) and through the Panhandle to the car. I didn't map the miles, but I am so impressed by their effort. The craziest part? The kids want to do it again!