OK, IF YOU CAN DECODE THE CYRPTICS ON THIS NEW SIGN AT THE GG BRIDGE, THEN I GUESS YOU CAN PROCEED (AH, WITH CAUTION)........

AND I MEAN WITH CAUTION!!!! During the weekday between 5:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. ,us cyclists have to share the east side of the bridge with all the pedestrians, tourists on foot, tourists (lord help them) on rental bikes, occasional runners and of course the GG Bridge maintanence workers in their 3 wheel utility club cars. You can imagine it is quite a zoo. Especially in summer when the multitudes are visiting our glorious City not knowing it's going to be more than likely foggy, wet and windier than hell on the GG Bridge.

But the good tourists bring with them a positive attitude and although they may be shivering, windblown and hypothermic, they gleefuly document their pilgramage with videos and photos. Whether they are on foot, blocking the entire span of the walkway or on rental bike nervously weaving to and fro they come equiped with camera, pointing and shooting oh so innocently. They are oblivious that this is a thoroughfare for cyclists who have no other route to get across. For some reason the West side walkway remains closed until 3:30, which makes no sense what so ever as it would certainly be well used as a cycling only lane (which is done during the weekends.)

This situation lends itself to an entertaining crossing and always great for testing one's reaction skills. I've found that I can never underestimate the tourist and even though they may appear to be looking at you in the eye as they walk toward you head on, they still don't SEE YOU! Thus I have adapted to making myself loud and clear, verbally warning the poor ba**t**ds that I'm coming through and of course always add a thank you and depending on the ethnicty of the group, the thank you may be in array of different languages.


There are some "stock" responses. Usually the male will grab the female who becomes more startled and she jumps...This is not necessarily good as she may decide to jump in front of you, but usually he pulls her to the side. Another common reaction is that both parties jump into the air. Others have the dear in the headlights look while the rare select few react calmly and simply move to the side.


Now the tourist cyclists are even worse. They like to photograph while they are fumbling on their rental bikes, riding in the center weaving to the left. Or they decide to stop and park in the middle of the path with absolutely no awareness that they are not alone.

Once you make it over the first span and clear the first tower (which can be a fight with the wind) you are 1/2 way.....Loud voice, clear direction (good thing I taught years of group exercise classes) is the only way to survive this journey.


Just when you think you are there, a maintanence crew in a 3 wheeler comes at you head on and man oh man, they own the path. They have the right of way and will not veer. They are the bridge trolls if you will, a tough lot who won't back down to anyone.


Woah, you got through that and only have 500 meters to go, but its' the trickyest 500...The majority of Tour-i are bottlenecked, overwhelmed by being emancipated from their tourist bus confinments and are anxious to see this world famous attraction. The gift shop is to the right. Chances are they are going to bolt toward it...One must proceed with caution loudly and purposely....You made it with maybe only a couple of close calls.


Got to love it, Just being able to get out and ride across the GGB and then ride a couple of hours on a weekday in between work is a wonderful thing.