Oakland and more!

Well since my last blog post, a ton. I mean a ton. Has gone done. As always, I’ll be sure to fill you in on everything. It all starts, almost immediately after my last blog post….

As you already know, I was getting ready for a ballgame in Oakland when we got a tweet. Josh Reddick an outfielder with the Athletics tweeted that he’d be auctioning off some game used gear to help support Biking for Baseball. Oh, and he also got me a ticket for the game. Whaaaaaaattttt? That’s awesome! On top of that, our friend Brooks lined up a chance to check out batting pratice, and some interviews for us! It was bound to be a great game.

As I pulled into the stadium parking lot with lifelong A’s fan Sam, who is my brother’s roommate, we were on the list. AKA the A’s provided complimentary parking passes. Quite unbelievable. We got on the field for BP thanks to the A’s and before we knew it Josh Reddick came over to talk with us. Here’s a major leaguer who heard about the ride, and wanted to do something to help. That’s pretty cool. You can also do something to help! Feel free to donate right here on the website!

The Coliseum, which is also shared with the Oakland Raiders is the only remaining multipurpose stadium in the Major Leagues. Many fans, players, and others want a new stadium built, but nothing has been agreed upon. However, what the coliseum lacks in modernity, it makes up for with great fans. Seriously. I was impressed with the energetic A’s fans throughout the stadium. The crowd wasn’t a sellout, but they got loud, and cheered on their team.

During the game, I sat with my brother, Sam, and David who was working on an article about touring cyclists and wanted to talk with me. David himself, has done a ton of touring himself, and just loved hearing about different themed tours like mine. A great guy to spend the night with.

In Oakland, every single person has told me one thing. You’ve got to go sit in the bleachers. Trust me, they didn’t undersell it. There in right field were an abundance of Oakland faithfuls who cheered throughout the game. They weren’t your normal cheers. They were fun. Of course they haze the opposing outfielders, but it’s all in good fun. They love their A’s, in fact one of the leaders of the infamous section 148, Bryan, has been to 170 straight A’s games. That’s dedication. Bryan even graciously gave up the flag, as I helped lead some cheers!

From Crazy Dave who roams the stands playing his banjo and cheering on the A’s, to the little A’s fan who I gave a ball I caught earlier during BP. The fans in Oakland are special, they’re energetic, and they love baseball. An impressive group of fans, who make the Coliseum something special.

Oh yeah, there was also a game going on! The game was a pitcher’s duel. Scott Kazmir and Dallas Keuchel went head to head in a battle of southpaws. After both bullpens stimmid each offense, we were getting free baseball in Oakland! Headed to extras. In the 10th, the Astros struck blood, scoring two runs to grab the lead. Many of the fans, left the stadium at this point, figuring a comeback was more than unlikely. Lo and behold, our man of the night Josh Reddick, came in to pinch hit with two outs and two on. With two strikes, he hit a gapper, opposite field to left center, and scored two the two runs. You see that other Major Leaguers? If you help support B4B when I come through, you’re bound to have a good game!

Unfortunately, the Astros struck for three more in the top of the 11th. However, the rally caps were still on. In the bottom half, the A’s got within one, after a two run homerun by Marcus Semien. Guess what, they then proceeded to get the tying run on second. With no outs. However, the Astros wiggled out of the jam, with the game ending on a deep fly ball to center by Lawrie. However, the loss was not what I experienced. The A’s, their fans, and their players won in my books tonight, thanks for a great ballgame!

After the game, we made a pit stop at In N’ Out. A Californian fast food joint, that has earned it’s reputation. I think I may have to bring one back to Wisconsin with me, because it’s delicious. I may be making a few more pitstops on my way through California.

The next morning, I hopped on my bike to head towards Hollister. My ride took my by NASA which was pretty cool. With numerous signs stating not to take any pictures, I resisted taking any pictures of the cool sighting. I’m amazed by how many things I see when I go through a town. Perhaps, it’s because I’m on a bicycle and moving slower. I guess it goes to show how much you miss when you go through life at 100 mph. Take a second to breathe, look around you, and enjoy the great world we live in.

The ride took me through San Jose, California. Which I am going to pronounce as the most charitable city in the USA. During my ride through the city, I had to slow down because of a Movement Day charity walk for those with Parkinson’s Disease. Easily a thousand or so people were participating in the walk. Bike a little further, and there’s another walk, this one for cancer research. Then I casually see the San Jose Shark mascot casually riding a segway through downtown. Wait there’s more. Then I see people cleaning up the bike path, by picking up trash in the woods. A few miles further, I see a local church with a few hundred volunteers building a new playground for a school. Finally, I saw a group of 10 doing a long run with a trail vehicle to honor all lives. Pretty cool! Way to go San Jose!

I continued onward, and rode through Gilroy. A town that boasts itself as the garlic capital of the world. Which also means there’s no vampires, and no shortage of bad breath. I continued onward, as I had my sights set on Hollister for the evening. In the end, however, I actually only ate dinner in Hollister, as I trekked onward towards a campsite south of the city. I eventually made it to the campsite, where I found out that they wanted to charge me 50 bucks for the night. I said no thank you, and for the first time, I stealth camped. I just pulled off the side of the road, hid in some bushes, and set up camp. It worked brilliantly, and I was up and out in the morning by 7 AM. Saturday ended up being my longest day yet, and my first century ride of the trip. Many more to come.

Today was an uneventful ride. I rode 90 miles. I did not go through a single town. Not one grocery story, gas station, nothing. I did ask a homeowner once to fill up on water, but besides that, I munched on my cliff bars for nutrients, and continued onward towards my destination of San Miguel. Though with cattle, horses, and hills it could be quite gorgeous.

 

 

 

Let me tell you, this drought in California is for real. Over the course of today’s ride, I crossed at least 20 creeks and rivers, if not more. None of them had any water in them. They were dry. Bone dry. Not one drop. You can almost hear the plants, and land gasping for thirst. It’s definitely a problem.

I stopped for a late lunch in San Miguel, anxious to eat any sort of calories that did not come from cliff bars. In the end, I’m camped up tonight and cozy. I’ll be sure to update again soon. Until next time!

Oh, and let me know if you’re enjoying the blog! Send us an email matt@bikingforbaseball.org, or tweet at us @Biking4Baseball. Want to hear about different parts of the trip or have any questions, just shoot them in my direction, I’ll be sure to answer them!

Matt