San Fran Routes
07-20-09, 07:53 AM
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San Fran Routes
Hi there,
a question for road cyclists in San Francisco and the surrounding area. In October (first two weeks) myself and my wife (well, not quite yet not yet, but by then she will be) shall be taking our honeymoon in San Fran. We are both keen road racing cyclists from Ireland. Would you guys be able to suggest some cycling route ideas? I'm quite partial to long hilly routes. We will need to rent road bikes so if anyone knows of a company which rents, we'd love to hear about them. Also, if anyone knows of any companies which do tours in that area, I'm all ears.
We are happy to explore the countryside all around San Fran, so all suggestions are very welcomed.
thanks!
Peter
a question for road cyclists in San Francisco and the surrounding area. In October (first two weeks) myself and my wife (well, not quite yet not yet, but by then she will be) shall be taking our honeymoon in San Fran. We are both keen road racing cyclists from Ireland. Would you guys be able to suggest some cycling route ideas? I'm quite partial to long hilly routes. We will need to rent road bikes so if anyone knows of a company which rents, we'd love to hear about them. Also, if anyone knows of any companies which do tours in that area, I'm all ears.
We are happy to explore the countryside all around San Fran, so all suggestions are very welcomed.
thanks!
Peter
Last edited by pldoyle; 07-20-09 at 10:24 AM. Reason: spelling
07-20-09, 08:31 AM
#2
Destroyer of Wheels
I'm going to move this to NorCal for you, get more responses.
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07-20-09, 09:45 AM
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Ride over the Golden Gate Bridge, then do the Marin Headlands loop and/or climb Mt. Tam. There is a good bike route map of Marin here: https://www.marinbike.org/Map/Index.shtml
07-20-09, 10:22 AM
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Congrats on your impending wedding and your smart choice of the SF area for a honeymoon.
There are so many good long hilly rides around there that it's hard to answer your question without bewildering you with choices. I think the thing to do is to organize a few Bike Forum rides when you guys get out here. No need for organized tours.
Why don't you let us know a month ahead of your arrival here. There's always rides going on. Let us know when and what kind of rides you like to do. No doubt there'll be willing guides and accomplices. I live South of SF, along the Pacific Ocean, and will be happy to lead one along the coastal hills for you.
There are so many good long hilly rides around there that it's hard to answer your question without bewildering you with choices. I think the thing to do is to organize a few Bike Forum rides when you guys get out here. No need for organized tours.
Why don't you let us know a month ahead of your arrival here. There's always rides going on. Let us know when and what kind of rides you like to do. No doubt there'll be willing guides and accomplices. I live South of SF, along the Pacific Ocean, and will be happy to lead one along the coastal hills for you.
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07-20-09, 11:34 AM
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Congrats on your impending wedding and your smart choice of the SF area for a honeymoon.
There are so many good long hilly rides around there that it's hard to answer your question without bewildering you with choices. I think the thing to do is to organize a few Bike Forum rides when you guys get out here. No need for organized tours.
Why don't you let us know a month ahead of your arrival here. There's always rides going on. Let us know when and what kind of rides you like to do. No doubt there'll be willing guides and accomplices. I live South of SF, along the Pacific Ocean, and will be happy to lead one along the coastal hills for you.
There are so many good long hilly rides around there that it's hard to answer your question without bewildering you with choices. I think the thing to do is to organize a few Bike Forum rides when you guys get out here. No need for organized tours.
Why don't you let us know a month ahead of your arrival here. There's always rides going on. Let us know when and what kind of rides you like to do. No doubt there'll be willing guides and accomplices. I live South of SF, along the Pacific Ocean, and will be happy to lead one along the coastal hills for you.
07-20-09, 12:02 PM
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If they really like hills, we should have them do the local trio - Mt. Tam, Diablo & Hamilton!!!
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07-20-09, 03:35 PM
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thank you for the responses!
If you are serious about going for a ride, then we are very interested in that, assuming we can rent some road bikes somewhere.
As for hills, I'll cycle up anything
The steeper the better, if you ask me, but Laura might object to that!
If you are serious about going for a ride, then we are very interested in that, assuming we can rent some road bikes somewhere.
As for hills, I'll cycle up anything
The steeper the better, if you ask me, but Laura might object to that!
07-20-09, 03:45 PM
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07-20-09, 04:56 PM
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If you're going to ride across the Golden Gate Bridge, either go early or be very patient! I'm living out here for the summer and two weekends in a row now I've made the mistake of coming back across the bridge at about 2:30pm. At that time the tourists are out in full force, unexpectedly stopping on the (fairly narrow) bike area, videotaping while riding and not paying attention where they are going, and walking their bikes up the bridge or the areas leading up to the bridge. I understand that the view is very beautiful, but there are offset areas on the bridge where you can stop and enjoy it! (And to those who bike with a video camera: just buy a professional video! It will be much cheaper than the bill you get from running into someone!)
I love tourists, I really do--working here for the summer I'm really just a long-term tourist myself--but people who don't follow basic bicycle etiquette really get my goat. However, Marin is just SO BEAUTIFUL that I keep punishing myself by going across that dang bridge!
Edit: MapMyRide has also been great to see what some of the popular/common routes are.
I love tourists, I really do--working here for the summer I'm really just a long-term tourist myself--but people who don't follow basic bicycle etiquette really get my goat. However, Marin is just SO BEAUTIFUL that I keep punishing myself by going across that dang bridge!
Edit: MapMyRide has also been great to see what some of the popular/common routes are.
07-20-09, 06:26 PM
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Here is some info on riding across the GG Bridge. Go across on the west side of the bridge whenever it is allowed. When the west side is open, it is only open for cyclists and no pedestrians. Makes riding across 1000 times easier.
LINK to GG Bridge site.
Bicycle Access and Safety Guidelines for Bridge Sidewalks
Cyclists have toll-free access to the Bridge's sidewalks 24-hours a day. Cyclists MUST yield to pedestrians and remember to use caution in the areas of the towers as there is limited space to maneuver and sight distances are constrained. Electric bicycles may be ridden on the sidewalks; however they may not be used under power while on the sidewalk and must be pedaled.
March 8, 2009 - October 31, 2009 (Daylight Savings Time):
Weekdays
EAST sidewalk 5 am to 3:30 pm
WEST sidewalk 3:30 pm to 9 pm
EAST sidewalk 9 pm to 5 am via remotely controlled security gates located at both ends of the EAST sidewalk. Cyclists press the "buzzer" located near the closed security gate. After security staff locates the cyclist on a security camera, the gate is opened remotely. Cyclists repeat this procedure to get through the security gate at the other end.
Weekends and Holidays
WEST sidewalk 5 am to 9 pm
EAST sidewalk 9 pm to 5 am, using remotely controlled security gate system described above.
Cyclists have toll-free access to the Bridge's sidewalks 24-hours a day. Cyclists MUST yield to pedestrians and remember to use caution in the areas of the towers as there is limited space to maneuver and sight distances are constrained. Electric bicycles may be ridden on the sidewalks; however they may not be used under power while on the sidewalk and must be pedaled.
March 8, 2009 - October 31, 2009 (Daylight Savings Time):
Weekdays
EAST sidewalk 5 am to 3:30 pm
WEST sidewalk 3:30 pm to 9 pm
EAST sidewalk 9 pm to 5 am via remotely controlled security gates located at both ends of the EAST sidewalk. Cyclists press the "buzzer" located near the closed security gate. After security staff locates the cyclist on a security camera, the gate is opened remotely. Cyclists repeat this procedure to get through the security gate at the other end.
Weekends and Holidays
WEST sidewalk 5 am to 9 pm
EAST sidewalk 9 pm to 5 am, using remotely controlled security gate system described above.
LINK to GG Bridge site.
07-20-09, 10:12 PM
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Have a look at
https://www.velogirls.com/resources/routes.php#north
https://www.baytrail.org/maps.html
https://bikemaster.home.att.net/routes/index.htm
https://bicycling.511.org/maps.htm
Excellent site for going from A to B in San Francisco if you want to avoid hills
https://amarpai.com/bikemap/bikemap.html
https://www.velogirls.com/resources/routes.php#north
https://www.baytrail.org/maps.html
https://bikemaster.home.att.net/routes/index.htm
https://bicycling.511.org/maps.htm
Excellent site for going from A to B in San Francisco if you want to avoid hills
https://amarpai.com/bikemap/bikemap.html
07-23-09, 01:54 AM
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We'll I don't know anywhere that rents "real" road bikes, but I'd be more than happy to take you from SF over the bridge and around the paradise loop, It's pretty scenic and for 55'ish miles it's a pretty mild ride with a few miles of hills, plus there are some really nice spots to take pictures along the way.
Just don't spend too much time riding, this city has a TON of really great places to check out and a lot of of culinary diversity, I personally would spend most of my time eating If I were only here for a vacation.
Just don't spend too much time riding, this city has a TON of really great places to check out and a lot of of culinary diversity, I personally would spend most of my time eating If I were only here for a vacation.
07-23-09, 10:25 AM
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We'll I don't know anywhere that rents "real" road bikes, but I'd be more than happy to take you from SF over the bridge and around the paradise loop, It's pretty scenic and for 55'ish miles it's a pretty mild ride with a few miles of hills, plus there are some really nice spots to take pictures along the way.
Just don't spend too much time riding, this city has a TON of really great places to check out and a lot of of culinary diversity, I personally would spend most of my time eating If I were only here for a vacation.
Just don't spend too much time riding, this city has a TON of really great places to check out and a lot of of culinary diversity, I personally would spend most of my time eating If I were only here for a vacation.
07-27-09, 03:03 AM
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Once again, thank you for the suggestions and offers of guided cycles. We really hope we can make some of them happen.
As long as we can find bikes with drop bars, we'll be happy
I figure we'll bring our own pedals+shoes, just in case.
I've been re-thinking the request for epic hills... as a couple, it might make more sense for us to keep it on the leisure side. Sure we can still do some hills, but maybe not too epic.
The Paradise loop sounds interesting. 55miles is a fine distance for a leisure ride.
To be honest, we will cycle any route whether it is flat or hilly, we just wanna cycle!
Two questions...
1) are cycle helmets a legal requirement in your state?
2) typically, what are you wearing on your rides in October? We are Irish so we are used to the cold rain. Would we get away with and arm and knee warmers instead of full length garments?
The reason for those questions is that we need to try and keep the luggage down a bit.
Peter
As long as we can find bikes with drop bars, we'll be happy
I figure we'll bring our own pedals+shoes, just in case.
I've been re-thinking the request for epic hills... as a couple, it might make more sense for us to keep it on the leisure side. Sure we can still do some hills, but maybe not too epic.
The Paradise loop sounds interesting. 55miles is a fine distance for a leisure ride.
To be honest, we will cycle any route whether it is flat or hilly, we just wanna cycle!
Two questions...
1) are cycle helmets a legal requirement in your state?
2) typically, what are you wearing on your rides in October? We are Irish so we are used to the cold rain. Would we get away with and arm and knee warmers instead of full length garments?
The reason for those questions is that we need to try and keep the luggage down a bit.
Peter
07-27-09, 09:25 AM
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Check these guys out: https://www.bikeconcierge.com/
Karl's a good guy. He gave a presentation at a clinic I went to. Nice bikes.
Rent from him if you're in the area.
If you're in the wine country area try Calistoga Bike shop. They've got Cervelo for rent up there.
Happy wedding.. and I'm sure you won't regret it spend some of your honeymoon with these jokers. Isn't it romantic just you, your new bride and the BFers! LOL
Karl's a good guy. He gave a presentation at a clinic I went to. Nice bikes.
Rent from him if you're in the area.
If you're in the wine country area try Calistoga Bike shop. They've got Cervelo for rent up there.
Happy wedding.. and I'm sure you won't regret it spend some of your honeymoon with these jokers.
Isn't it romantic just you, your new bride and the BFers! LOL
07-27-09, 09:39 AM
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Helmets are not required for adults in California (though they are very popular).
Late September through early October has the nicest weather of the year in San Francisco. The summer fog is gone and the winter rains have not started yet. Sunny 70F afternoons are typical. Mornings will be cooler (upper 50s).
07-27-09, 12:13 PM
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I found okay looking road bikes (Marin - what else
) at Blazing Saddles. not exactly tdf quality - but then, neither am I! We'll probably rent those this weekend.
If anyone can shepherd us through some modest climbs (how steep is Mt. Tam, anyway?
) Sat, Aug 1st, feel free to PM
) at Blazing Saddles. not exactly tdf quality - but then, neither am I! We'll probably rent those this weekend.If anyone can shepherd us through some modest climbs (how steep is Mt. Tam, anyway?
) Sat, Aug 1st, feel free to PM
07-27-09, 12:27 PM
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Mt. Tam is around 7 miles at a fairly constant 7% grade. Total elevation gain is 2500 feet. The elevation barely counts as a "mountain", but you do get a nice 360 degree view from the summit.
07-27-09, 01:16 PM
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For sure the Paradise Loop with the Marin Headland loop thrown in. That's a must. If you're ambitious, thrown in Mt. Tom.
Then, I'd be happy to lead some version of this ride: https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...Backroads-Tour . Goes along the ocean, up into the redwood tress and through some farmland. Just under 5,000 ft of climbing. You'll need a car to get to the starting point, though.
Then, you should have someone lead a ride up Mt. Diablo, a local favorite. From SF, you could take BART, our local public transit to the starting point.
Then, I'd be happy to lead some version of this ride: https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...Backroads-Tour . Goes along the ocean, up into the redwood tress and through some farmland. Just under 5,000 ft of climbing. You'll need a car to get to the starting point, though.
Then, you should have someone lead a ride up Mt. Diablo, a local favorite. From SF, you could take BART, our local public transit to the starting point.
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09-03-10, 05:53 AM
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Is anybody looking for closure on this? Nope? Oh, well here it is anyway...
We planned on renting some nice Fugi frames for a spin and even checked them out in the rental place, but then we went out and got drunk that night with a mate who lives in San Fran. It was a fun night, but the thoughts of griding up those hills in Marin County didn't really go with a hangover so we never got to rent them.
We did go for MTB in Lake Tahoe though
I really love your country. You guys are so lucky to live there.
Thanks for the tips.
We planned on renting some nice Fugi frames for a spin and even checked them out in the rental place, but then we went out and got drunk that night with a mate who lives in San Fran. It was a fun night, but the thoughts of griding up those hills in Marin County didn't really go with a hangover so we never got to rent them.
We did go for MTB in Lake Tahoe though
I really love your country. You guys are so lucky to live there.
Thanks for the tips.
