genejockey 

The last 25 years I've been depending on being able to refill my bottles at the tap outside Roberts Market in Woodside. Today, I arrived there, out of water for the last maybe 8-10 miles, only to discover the tap has been shut off. I ended up riding another 6 thirsty miles to the Pulgas Water Temple to refill.

Anyone know ANOTHER place to refill nearby?

Plan accordingly, folks.

sjammer

When I started my ride this morning I heard someone saying that gate at the Pulgas Water Temple was locked. That was about 8:30am so it may have just been to early. I wonder if the water tap has been shut off due to the CA drought or do they want you to buy water.

genejockey 

I just checked, and the Water Temple is open 9-3:30 every day for walkers and cyclists, and 9-3:30 M-F for cars.

I don't think it's the drought, because the tap has never been shut off as far as I know, even during the multiyear droughts. Maybe you're right and they want you to buy water, but I ride alone, so I can't leave a friend with my bike while I run in and buy stuff. I might have to do what I sometimes did in the past - ride up to the Chevron station and buy water or some other drink there. I could buy a candy bar, too, which is more fun than a gel or a Clif Bar!

terrymorse 

There’s a faucet at the old Woodside Store, at the corner of Tripp Rd. and Kings Mountain Rd.

As far as I know, that one is still working.

sanmateoclimber

It is. I've been meaning to post here about this since I first noticed the tap at Roberts was down a week or two ago. I've always filled up there, but now I'm using the woodside store tap instead. There's a pump and bike tool doohickey set up there as well. This weekend it occurred to me that there's really no reason to go through that congested 84/Canada intersection on my rides at all any more... using Olive/Albion/Manuella/Tripp is just a generally nicer route to move through that area whether I'm headed up Kings, OLH, out to Portola, or whatever.

Such amazing weather lately, hope you're all having a great riding season. Happy trails!

KJ43

The weather is amazing and it's been great riding lately.

Thanks to everyone for the communication on the water spots. I'm usually at the start of my rides when I come through Woodside but knowing where the water spots are is great to know when you are in need.

cthenn

Since we're on the topic of San Mateo riding/water, is the spigot still working near the top of Page Mill? A short distance below the Monte Bello open space parking there was a spigot in a random dirt driveway, but I haven't been up there in years. Was planning on doing a route going up West Alpine, and by the time I get to the top, it would be nice to be able to refill! If that one is inoperable, what is the nearest water stop in that area (Page Mill/West Alpine/35)?

Also, is there water available at Sam McDonald park or anywhere along 84/Pescadero Creek area?

edit: google tells me there are drinking fountains at Sam McDonald Park, I'll just call and confirm they are working before I do my planned ride. Unless anyone can verify recently?

Olefeller77 

Start with at least as much as you need. Saves a lot of frustration.

cthenn

First of all, great comment, super helpful. I would ask if you have anything useful to contribute to the discussion, but I can see by your location (Illinois) that you probably don't. Never understand why people just *have* to voice their opinion, even if it contributes zero to the topic. We're discussing water availability, not whether or not we should take "as much as we need".

Second, how does one actually know what one will need on any given day? I've gone several hours and only taken sips from one bottle. Other times I'm filling up 3 or more times throughout a short ride. Weather is extremely variable in the Bay Area, you may start off thinking you only need a small amount, then realize halfway through you could polish off 2L or more over the entire ride. Or, what if simply we don't want to carry 2 full bottles if we don't need. Or, what if we take 2 full bottles, and it's still not enough? Just saying "take as much as you need" is really unhelpful.

But again, this is besides the point. The topic here is water availability, if you have something to contribute, let's hear it. Otherwise, this is just another annoying case of someone trying to hijack a thread and change subjects.

genejockey 

There was one hot day, I did a ride that passed through Woodside 3 times, so I could refill the two bottles I was carrying two times. I was still 5 pounds lighter at the end of the ride

SwimmerMike 

Thanks for the info on Robert's Market. Depending on the route I either fill up there or in Portola Valley at the little park. I'll avoid holding out for Roberts until I see it's back on.

terrymorse 

I topped off my bottles at the Page Mill drinking fountain on June 12.





This Google map of Bay Area water and bathrooms is a good local resource.

terrymorse 

Update on Robert's Market drinking fountain, from an email list:

genejockey 

That's a relief! Maybe I should actually go in and buy something, for the first time in maybe 20 years.....

cthenn

Thanks for the link. Funny, the Street View of that water fountain location shows a big garbage can on top of it, assume from Covid times? Good to know it's operable again, thank you!

genejockey 

No joy at Roberts this afternoon. Luckily it wasn't a hot day and I went for distance rather than altitude, so I was fine filling up at the Water Temple.

genejockey 

The tap at Roberts is still dry as of yesterday, though someone had put up a "Wet Floor" sign by the fountain, which gave me false hope! I ended up riding to the Woodside Store over on Tripp and refilling there.

I guess I'll give up on Roberts at this point. My usual ride, I reach Tripp about an hour into it, so I should really have emptied a bottle by then. If I refill at that point, I won't be arriving back in Woodside all dried out!

73StellaSX76

I haven’t ever used it so I don’t know if it is turned on, but there is a drinking fountain in front of the fire station a quarter mile west of Robert’s on 84. It is visible on google street view. Might be worth checking out.

cthenn

Good find, took me a minute to see it, but yeah, it's totally visible from the street, anyone from the area know if this still exists and is useable?

73StellaSX76

I stopped at the fire station drinking fountain today, water is on. Not the nice bottle filler like the Temple has, but it will fill a bottle just fine.

genejockey 

Filled up at the Fire Station on Sunday! Many thanks to 73StellaSX76 for finding that fountain!