Adventures in San Francisco: Divide and conquer

San Francisco is laid out in a giant grid of arterial streets, side streets and highways. It has not taken long for the SWAE team to figure out how to navigate the roads in the Bay Area, although pot holes and cracked concrete don’t make it an ideal place to cycle long distances.

Packed condos on Jefferson Street, the Golden Gate engulfed in fog in the background.

Will, Bates and Alex have been hard at work compiling over 50 outfitters throughout the city and the surrounding areas and will be riding out all over town starting today, until they have met with every guide they can.

From hang-gliding to sea kayaking, a huge range of outfitters are stationed throughout the San Francisco grid, which means long days of riding the traffic-frenzied streets of a bustling metropolis.

Today, Thursday June 30, was the first day which Will, Bates and Alex have met with outfitters and so far, they have made excellent progress. We are all learning how to get around town and have been successful signing outfitters.

The team woke up early and Will and Alex cycled out to meet with the Outdoor Adventure Club at 11 a.m. After a great conversation about SWAE, the San Francisco-based outfitter was excited to partner with the team and will be posting trips as the site becomes functional. Will has several meetings set up for tomorrow, more to come as outfitters get signed.

After a long shipping fiasco, Bates will finally have his trailer to carry his baggage. It has been nearly a week of making phone calls and speaking with UPS to get the trailer to the right place.

Dan shows Alex the ropes after he arrived from Texas on Wednesday.

Today, Bates met Green Tortoise Adventure Travel Hostels at 3 p.m and had a good conversation with the company. Although they did not sign on the spot, Bates left them feeling confident about SWAE’s ability to help bring the outfitter new business.

We have been very lucky in The City. The Travel Gods have been with us. Dan was able to find a friend, Daniel Gerding, who let us sleep in his condo for a few days. Gerding’s place had an excellent rooftop view of the Palace of Fine Arts, the Golden Gate Bridge and the rest of the Marina District.

On Wenesday, after we left Gerding’s we were able to find a place through our friend Travis Black, who’s friends from college had a place just a few blocks from where we have been working. This is where we will be spending the next couple of nights. They also have an amazing view from their rooftop in the middle of town.

So, no long-distance traveling through the city and easy access to work places have made our ventures in San Francisco much easier. Thanks to everyone who has been so hospitable during our time here! You guys are what make this trip amazing.