The Friday Cyclotouriste

Here’s a link (and video) with some of the back story of Frank Lloyd Wright’s awesome building.

Did you know scenes from Gattaca were filmed here, as were scenes from THX-1138 — Marin resident George Lucas’ pre-Star Wars, pre-American Graffiti film?

• If you’ve heard of either of these cult sci-fi films, especially THX-1138, it’s time to face the facts. Ready? Let’s say it together: You are a nerd!
• And if by chance you’ve heard of both Gattaca and THX-1138, I can confidently predict you also know a few things about D&D.

Btw, the Civic Center has a farmer’s market every Thursday and Sunday year-round.

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The view from the the top of the secret (or not-so-secret) bike path connecting San Rafael to San Anselmo that I mentioned here. From the San Rafael side, the path connects with Fawn Drive in San Anselmo.

I’m returning from the farmer’s market and the Ebisu’s rear rack is filled with leeks, carrots, and onions; the front bag with a dozen eggs, a head of cabbage, a turnip, and a shallot.

Oh yeah, congratulations to the Super Bowl champions — the New Orleans Saints!

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On the right, is an alternative version of this image. On the left…well…I just like the way the colors of the shirt match the vegetables. (Click on the images for a larger view.)

These images of the farmer’s market basking in sun from just a week ago are now but a distant memory after yesterday’s dusting of snow on Mt. Tamalpais (click here for some older posts and images of Mt. Tam).

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Scarlett City Coffee Roasters does a brisk business at the farmer’s market. It’s not bad — for an espresso served in a big paper cup — with striking reddish-brown crema. They do nice latte art too. Be prepared to wait in line during peak hours.

A visit to the Civic Center farmer’s market in San Rafael (open every Thursday and Sunday year-round) makes for an enjoyable little 13 mile loop ride starting from Fairfax. Bring a bike with a large front basket for all your market goodies.

Riding to San Rafael (via San Anselmo) is straightforward. But upon entering San Rafael you must pick your way through downtown to Lincoln Ave. without the benefit of a dedicated bike lane. I usually cruise down 4th St. to Lincoln, which leads to a path that goes under Highway 101 and provides access to the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Civic Center.

The fun part of this ride is making it into a loop — something impossible in a car because there’s no road connecting the Terra Linda neighborhood of San Rafael with San Anselmo/Fairfax.  But a narrow paved trail (at the end of Freitas Parkway) connects to the Sleepy Hollow neighborhood making this loop possible, provided you’re traveling by foot or bike.

This short-cut which starts around the 10-mile point is very steep (as you can see in the elevation profile), but relatively short (and I’m often tempted to walk the bike.)

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The Japanese have a word to describe the blurred part of a photograph: it’s bokeh. Connoisseurs of fine lenses will actually debate the quality of the bokeh produced by different lenses.

I kind of like the bokeh in this shot.

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