Casual Bike Ride Exploring Hidden Bridges

Small wooden bridge in canyon

Got a call from my friend on Friday saying he and his girlfriend wanted to go on a casual bike ride on Saturday since it was going to be a nice, warm, sunny San Diego day. I say "casual" ride because more of my recent rides have been longer and more intense, where I ride between 12 and 30 miles on my road bike. In fact, I had just gone on a 13 mile ride after having a three hour job interview. For this ride I took my older hybrid bike, which is good for streets and off road if the path isn't too rocky or sandy.

Once I got to my friend's house and we got our bikes ready with air in the tires and oiled chains, we had a long discussion on where to ride. We decide to explore some hidden bridges in San Diego in the Balboa Park, Mission Hills and Banker's Hill area. Our first stop was a canyon below Balboa Park on a bike path that runs along highway 163. As we got near the usual entrance we take, we saw a trail leading down to a canyon that we had never taken before, so our off-road biking began by carrying our bikes down some steep steps  to get to the trail where you see this small wooden bridge in the photo above. We did not cross the bridge but took a parallel path.

First Street Bridge

Our bike ride continued to the bike path along 163 where at the end we ended up once again carrying our bikes up an even steeper path that lead to Balboa Park. Perhaps there are some hard-core bikers who could have ridden up this trail, but we did not and by the time we got to the top we needed a five minute break to catch our breath.

Then we rode around the dirt and paved trails of Balboa Park going no place in particular. There were lots of people out having picnics on the grass as well as the usual homeless people wandering around. We then headed towards Mission Hills and rode past the interesting and unique (and expensive) houses of the area. Somehow, with Steve leading, we followed a road, or series of roads that zigzag down through Banker's Hill and ended up in an area of town that I had never seen before, located not too far from interstate 5 and Pacific Highway. Well, we knew that after that long downhill ride we had to ride back up. After a break we headed back up after we heard and saw a large swarm of bees near us. I managed to ride all the way back up using my bike's "granny gear". We took a different route on the way up that was shorter but steeper.

Then we explored some more side streets and eventually followed along First Ave. where we crossed the First Avenue Bridge pictured above. I've driven across this bridge before but had no idea how historic and beautiful it is. The sign on the bridge says it was build in 1911 and it is obvious that it is a well built steel bridge that could withstand a major earthquake. Below the bridge we saw a dirt trail but couldn't figure out how to get down there. That will be a ride for another day.

San Diego Bay

The photo above is looking towards San Diego Bay and you can see Point Loma in distance. I don't remember exactly where I took the photo but it was during one of our rest breaks. Our ride lasted 2 1/2 hours and was 10 miles long. We took a lot of breaks as we were in no hurry.

Blue and Green House

Many of the houses we passed were very unique, including this one that was painted with clashing colors of blue and green. It could be a fun house to live in. It is hard to know what this inside looks like and who knows what colors the walls are painted. We saw other houses that were much nicer and one that looked like a big square building with no thought put into the design.

Quince Street Bridge

Getting back on track, we still had two more bridges to find. I've seen photos of these bridges but had never seen them in person. The next bridge was the Quince Street pedestrian bridge. We parked our bikes on the east side and I took a walk out to middle so I could get a photo of the valley where I saw another hiking trail below. I could also see how to get down there, a series of long, steep steps. That too will be a ride for next time. While I was on the bridge a woman and here four-ish year old daughter passed me and the girl very politely walked up to me and said "How are you doing? I'm going to a playground. Have a good day." She said this is a very clear manner and I had to smile. Her mom said nothing but she did acknowledged me with a smile.

View from Quince Street Bridge

Steve and Judy had enough of walking up and down steps so they stayed at the top of the bridge. While were getting ready to leave, a man and his daughter walked by and we asked him where the suspension bridge was. He said it was near Spruce and 1st. So that was our next destination. But first we rode some more and stopped at a 7/11 for some water.

Steve and Judy above Bridge

From there we rode down to Spruce and then followed it to the end where sure enough, there was the bridge. I started by riding my bike on the bridge but soon my acrophobia kicked in and I got off my bike and walked it across. I called this the bouncy bridge because it did move. There was one woman who walked a little ways onto the bridge and then stopped, holding the railing tightly. She had an even greater fear of heights than me. This bridge was pretty crowded. Also, there was no place to take a photo of the bridge from the side, so I snapped a photo of it after we crossed, as you can see below.

Spruce Street Suspension Bridge

As we were all getting tired, we headed back to my friend's house where we started. Luckily the ride was pretty level. Back at his house we had a few drinks and then grabbed some Mexican food. I had a shrimp burrito with rice and beans which was really good.

It was a great bike ride for a Saturday. It was fun, relaxing and also a good work-out. So now today, Sunday, I woke up still feeling tired and sore, but still got to the gym for an upper-body workout. I plan on relaxing the rest of the day and will probably take a nap in the afternoon. Tomorrow for most people is back to work, but since I've been unemployed for over six months, I'll be doing more job searches and hoping for a call during the week from the company I just interviewed with saying they'd like to continue the interview process which would hopefully lead to be getting hired and once again being a productive member of society, as they say.