Northern California - Riding north from San Francisco

I'd like to make the trek to Santa Rosa from San Francisco, but I'm a bit unsure the best route to take. Looking at my bike map, I'd have to go on the shoulder of 101 from Novato to Petaluma, or cut east to Lakeville Hwy or west to whatever that street is that becomes D street in Petaluma (Pt Reyes?). 101 looks like the quickest way, but since they've been doing some construction on the dump overpass near Petaluma, I'm not sure what the shoulder is like. Has anyone made this trip recently? This would be my first 'long' distance trip, as my riding is usually confined to around town and commuting.

-Chris

I have made your trek several times, both ways, just not the round trip; yet. I worked in Novate for two weeks last fall and rode the 101 shoulder to and from Petaluma 8 times, each way. The dump construction was no problem but for 100 yards or so where the shoulder narrowed down to 2 feet. Elsewhere it was fine, north-bound. You could avoid this by going west thru Lucas Valley and Nicasio to Petaluma. I don't as that adds way too much climbing and miles. I measure 56 miles from the Toll Plaza to my home in north Santa Rosa. I plan to do the GG Bridge to Santa Rosa ride in a couple of weeks when my winery job ends. I will take bus 80 to the south end of the bridge and head north. Wanna come along? I do not go too fast.

Sweet! I can't wait to try it out. Do you think it's better during commute time or off hours? I would think traffic would be slower during commute time, but there would also be more cars, so I'm not sure which is safer.

If I catch the 5:40 AM bus 80 I reach the Bridge transit stop, just south of the toll booths, some 2 hours later, 7:30 to 8:00. Off-peak hours take a little less time. Hmmm? Not relevant to your question. Going north in the AM is against the general flow of traffic and would not be much of a problem. On weekends only Sausalito seems crowded, the rest has been OK. When you get to the section of the 101 between Novato and Petaluma it is great fun to be there during the evening rush. I have passed several hundred cars, trucks, and CHPs before the jam caused by the change from 3 to 2 lanes loosens. If you can stand to ride in S.F. during the day, the trip north will be a piece of cake. There are frequent buses south from Santa Rosa so the return will not be a problem. There is a short but steep piece several blocks long just past Sir Francis Drake Blvd. If you do not have low gears you can avoid the climb by adding a few miles and going past San Quintin(sp?).

I will bring along a GG transit schedule so if it rains we can bail out easily. The maximum fare SR to SF is $8.00 for your info. The second weekend in November is my target date at the moment.

Greetings. Myself and three other friends are planning a ride form Santa Cruz to Petaluma. My best friend is getting married and this ride will be part A of the bachelor party weekend. Part B is a wine drinking fest at a buddies ranch. I noticed a thread where you talked about riding form Sausalito to Petaluma. We have ridden to San Francisco numerous times, but never from Sausalito to Petaluma. We could use your help with route suggestions. If you have the time it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Doug