The Smell of Warm Eucalyptus

This morning I left to check out Nimitz Way for the first time. I've passed this pathway a hundred times and desiring to see something new, decided to check out this path up in the Oakland hills at Tilden Park.

Greens and blues.

The drop down Lomas Contadas.

El Toyonal, always nice and shady.

The first thing I noticed before I even left the city of Berkeley was the fact that I was overdressed. I had on a sweater and some leg warmers and they were unnecessary, the sun was shining and the air was warm. The warmth brought out the beautiful smell of eucalyptus which always has me wistful for the first time I smelled those trees on the Pacific Coast in Peru. That smell brought back the memories of exploration and I felt like it was going to be a great ride.

El Toyonal really does feel like going back in time.

Wildcat Canyon Road, going up or going down?

Nimitz Way pavement.

Before I started exploring I hit some of the usual roads, Old Tunnel, Skyline, Grizzly Peak, Lomas Contadas, El Toyonal and Wildcat Canyon Road. After the same old, I pulled into Tilden Park and found the entrance for Nimitz Way next to Inspiration Point. For the first mile or so there was a good deal of hikers and walkers, some dog walkers; using my mechanical advantage I was able to make it farther than these hikers, to the point where I was all alone. The trees kept changing from tall redwoods, to Douglas Firs, to the aromatic Eucalyptus trees I mentioned. Then after crossing some cattle guards the trees were gone and all I saw was rolling green hills. I just lazily rolled along the paved path taking lots of photos. The landscape felt foreign, I imagined it's what Ireland looked like, endless rolling green hills. Unlike Ireland though,  hiding over the hills is the urban sprawl of the Bay, but that was miles away; I was miles away. I made it into Wildcat Canyon Regional Park before I realized I wouldn't have a loop back and decided to just drop down into Centennial Park Drive once again back home.

Look at the High Quality photo of this one, you can see the Golden Gate in the background.

The dam and Diablo in the same shot. I was grinning like a goofy bastard at this point.

The path reaching on until forever.

Today's ride reminded me of why I love cycling: the exploration of something new, the ability to go somewhere you've never seen. I almost considered doing climbs I like, which would have felt more like a workout training ride, I'm glad I didn't, 30 miles clicked away in no time and part of me didn't want to head back home. Nimitz Way continues on all the way until the hills drop down right before the San Pablo Bay to the North. This quick exploration just has me craving more, maybe I'll get in a quick Sub 24 Overnighter soon.