Maxcalibur

Hi all,

I'm coming over from London, UK in April for a conference and would love to take the time to enjoy the San Fran/Northern California cycling scene.

My main questions are:

1. Can anyone recommend come exciting rides in or out of town? Whether it's just a cool route or a massive climb for a breathtaking view, I'd love to hear your suggestions.

2. I'd also like to take advantage of the big supply of NOS you seem to have over in the US and was wondering if anyone knows of any good shops to pick up vintage spare parts, frames etc...

Let me know your thoughts!

Beaker

Take BART to walnut creek and climb Mt Diablo. Fantastic views and 11miles of glorious uphillness.

Philipaparker

Ride https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/?key...rancisco%2C+CA this is a classic ride over the Golden Gate Bridge up Mt Tam very nice ride. For bike parts, frames etc. American Cyclery on Stanyan St. listed as the best bike shop in the country by Bicycling Magazine.

Philipaparker

https://yurides.wordpress.com/2013/01...house-century/ Another great ride is Point Reyes station. Also if you are fast and fit check out Mission Cycling https://missioncycling.org/ these guys ride out of San Francisco over to Marin almost daily they are fast. You can also contact https://mikesbikes.com/ and ask them about rides they have group rides that leave from their stores on the weekends. Marin county is where you want to ride you take off from San Francisco over the Golden Gate and into bike county.

Maxcalibur

Thanks for the replies guys. All looks good. Going to have to work hard to fit everything in!

Not sure about the Mission Cycling dudes. They look pretty serious! I'll see how fit I'm feeling at the time.

On another note. I haven't decided if I'm going to bring my own bike on the plane or whether to rent one. Does anyone know somewhere with decent road bikes at decent hire prices?

Bikeforumuser0017

Google "Paradise Loop"

There's also so much traffic in the afternoon (until 10pm), cyclist are faster than cars. If weaving through traffic is your thing, go to downtown.

awalis

Pacific Bikes. Rent Giant TCRs. Bring your peddles.

SteveE

Terry Morse at UDC Tours has Scott CR1 bikes for rent: https://udctours.com/store/bike-renta...-bay-area.html

He's located in Los Altos but will deliver and pick up the bike for you for an additional fee.

- Steve

Bryan C. 

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid...9e26e4a8&msa=0

I was messing around with Google maps and set up this map a few years ago. This is the similar to the route that the "Friday Night Skate" group uses. Not many hills and it winds around the Embarcadero and over to the Golden Gate Bridge and Fort Point area. It can be completed in a few hours of leisurly riding. Its a nice scenic ride.

Maxcalibur

Thanks for all the ideas.

I'd heard of the Scott CR1's for hire, and I'd love to. However, I think I'd be using the bike to get around, buy stuff etc, so I was wondering if there's anyone who rents more touring style bikes with panniers etc?

velocycling

If you want a cool route. You could ride down Highway 1 to Santa Cruz then take the 17 bus (bike rack only 3) to San Jose then take Caltrain back to SF.

https://www.scmtd.com/en/routes/syste...r=1&schedule=1

https://www.caltrain.com/schedules/weekdaytimetable.html

It would be best if you got a baby bullet. Only 5 stops. The trains take up from 48 to 80 bikes at a time

You could cut it short by riding over Tunitas Creek or 84 to Palo Alto and catch the train there.

johntrev

Sports Basement for bike rentals: https://community.sportsbasement.com/rentals/bike/

solrebel

Box Dog Bikes in the Mission is my favorite bike shop in SF by far. Excellent service, awesome selection, and right in the midst of everything.