Riding in and around SF

[Keith A]

I have a friend who will be traveling to the SF area (not sure exactly what part yet) and will be there for a week and is bringing his bike. I wanted to see if there are any good or great places to ride in or out of the city. He is a good strong rider and might enjoy doing some of the hills in the area as well.

Thanks in advance for your input.

[saab2000]

I have heard there are hills out there bigger than the bridges in Florida! :D

[Keith A]

I think you might be correct :D However, I think my friend can handle it. He just got back from a Trek Tour in Ireland and has done some of the classic climbs of the TdF before as well.

[CA Dreamin']

http://www.citycycle.com/events_volantes.htm

See the "Scheduled Rides" paragraph. If your firiend is looking for classic California scenery, these rides can't miss.

[sevencyclist]

There are lots of great riding in the area. If he is going to be in the Peninsula, he could try the Ring of Fire loop, or various parts of it.

http://www.paloaltobicycles.com/ringmap/ring_of_fire.html

[Keith A]

Thanks for the info! This is exactly the kind of details I was hoping for and would welcome any other input.

[rePhil]

http://www.chainreaction.com Scroll to the bottom of the page. Good descriptions and ride photos.

North of the GG bridge: Mt. Tam and Marin.

East bay: Mt. Diablo. Visit Diablo Scotts site and the Chain Reaction site for Routes http://diabloscott.blogspot.com/

[KJMUNC]

If he wants some serious climbing, I know of a good 70-miler that includes some gnarly climbs up Old La Honda, Tunitas Creek and a variety of other climbs on a loop leaving Woodside (just NW of Palo Alto) out to Pescadero on the coast and back. PM me for more details as I don't have a map handy to send but will get you details.

[Joe]

http://www.cyclesportsonline.com/resources/routes.htm

[wanderingwheel]

http://www.valleyspokesmen.org/routes.htm

A great resource for Bay Area rides, but mainly in the East Bay.

[Skrawny]

There are many great rides in SF

I ride with Les Volantes out of City Cycle. He (and anyone else) is welcome to join us.
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/lesvolantes/

We ride out of City Cycle (http://citycycle.com/) on Sat at 9am sharp and Sunday at 9:30.

Sat rides are more competitive (fast) and 65-80 miles and include rides such as Alpine Dam, Nicasio Loop/Point Reyes, Stinson-BoFax-Ridgecrest

Sunday rides are more relaxed and 40-60 miles. There is almost always a group doing at least the (classic) Paradise Loop around Tiburon, but sometimes a few guys missed the Sat ride and want to go long and hard...

The links others have given are all good. Another link I like for rides in -and around- SF is Velo Girls (http://velogirls.com/resources/routes.php). It gives good route info including: difficulty, turn-by turn directions, total altitude gain, and altitude profile.

Good luck!
PM me if he wants to ride!
-s

[Skrawny]

oops!
I didn't realized you have to request to join the yahoo group.
Sorry
s

[jeffg]

I will second the plug for the Peninsula rides if your friend is there. The Santa Cruz mountains are a wonderful place to ride.

Old la Honda is a great little climb and finishing the loop by going across Skyline and descending Page Mill or heading out to the coast via Highway 84, Stage Road, climbing Tunitas Creek and then descending Kings Mountain Road are wonderful options.

I also find climbing the backside of Page Mill (Alpine Road) to be a blast, though I would head to the coast and do Tunitas if I had just one loop to do.

I need to get back to Norcal! :crap: :crap:

[Keith A]

Thanks for all of the information. I'll pass this onto my friend and see if he has any specific questions for you guys.

:banana:

[superunleaded]

http://bayinsider.ktvu.com/recreation/guides/biking/index_road.html

and club rides here: http://fremontfreewheelers.org/RaceTeam/Useful/TrainingRides/index.html

-gas