Northern California - Visiting San Francisco: Where to rent and where to ride?

Hi, I'm traveling to San Francisco from May 21-27th and I'm going to be staying at a hotel right near Fisherman's Warf. I've heard of Blazin' Saddles and I was considering that. I'll probably only be riding one day or hopefully two. Anyways, can I have some advice on anything and everything I need to know about riding in California? I live in Miami, Fl THE FLATTEST CITY IN THE WORLD! What hills will I be able to handle and what roads should I ride and which should I avoid? I'm looking to have a real adventure maybe 40-50 miles. Any routes? Also, how is the weather? For the record, I'm pretty fit and I ride with groups that ride around 24 mph and above and usually ride 40 miles on Saturdays and Sundays. Thanks for your time I'm looking forward to riding in Cali and maybe meeting up with some groups?

The most popular 50 mile ride from SF is to head over the Golden Gate Bridge to Marin. Do the Marin Headlands loop (moderate hill), then the Paradise/Tiburon peninsula loop (mostly flat with some rolling hills), then ride back to SF. If you want something more athletic, you can also climb Mt. Tam (not real steep, but it is a mountain).

Here is a good bike route map of Marin: http://www.marinbike.org/Map/SideA2008.pdf
And here is a good bike route map of San Francisco: http://www.sfbike.org/download/SF_Bike_Map_2009.pdf
Blazing Saddles has their own map, which shows the most popular tourist routes: http://www.blazingsaddles.com/assets/BlazingSaddlesMAP.pdf

Weather in Marin tends to be mild year round, especially near the water. Rain in late May is very unlikely.

^^ that was going to be my suggestion - if you search the NorCal forum with "visiting" as the keyword you'll probably bring up a few alternatives.

Hills that you can handle will be very hard to predict, until you try them yourself. Just be sure and get yourself a compact double or (gasp) a triple and you'll be well set to test yourself. There are so many climbs around here that you're spoilt for choice.

Thanks for the info :thumb:. How is the traffic during the week and on weekends? Also are there groups I'd be able to just join on those rides?

Traffic along the tourist routes is not bad. Much of the routes is on bike paths or bike lanes.
Be careful of the street car and cable car tracks.

OP - I travel to San Francisco quite often on business and occaisionally find myself there on weekends so I've done what you are suggesting several times. Starting near Fisherman's Wharf you can rent at Blazing Saddles or Bay City Bike. Pick up the bike, ride across the Golden Gate, and you have some choices - turn east, ride down into Sausalito, head out on the bike path towards Tiburon, around Paradise Drive, towards Corte Madera, across Camino Alto, and then choose to return to either Tiburon or Sausalito for the ferry ride back to the City. OR, head west through the tunnel at the end of the Golden Gate and ride the Marin Headlands thru what looks like old military installations (then back to Sausalito for the ferry or to continue with the other ride).

If you're new to the area don't be surprised about how long it will take you (the first time, I found myself stopping everywhere to take cell phone pictures of every view - each more breath taking than the last).

Another option is to start in Sausalito (get there by car or ferry) and rent from Mike's Bikes. Do one of the routes, head to SF by ferry to break up the day, and return via the Golden Gate.

Some hints:
- Since you're from Florida, regardless of what you ride now, get a triple - you won't regret it. Camino Alto is a moderate hill at best but I've learned that "Camino Alto" is not Spanish for "long flat road".

- The micro-climates in the area are fascinating, but unpredictable. I've found better riding weather in January than in May, but that shouldn't stop you. Just bring layers - its hard to say what you might need over the course of a day in the bay area.

- Don't forget to bring your pedals and shoes. All the shops will happily set up your pedals on the rental bike.

Hope this helps. Have a great trip.

You can rent a variety of bikes, including Giant road bikes, from Pacific Bikes. (http://pacbikes.com/page.cfm?pageID=126) We have hills in the city and across the Golden Gate in Marin. So if you've not ridden hills, you'll get plenty. As far as weather is concerned, today it was 90 by noon, very rare, and now it's 60. Generally it won't get above 64. It can get windy along the water. Dress in layers. Mission Cycling (http://missioncycling.org/subpage.php?pg=calendar) has a ride every saturday.

Bay Area Biking (http://www.amazon.com/Moon-Bay-Area-Biking-Outdoors/dp/1566919320/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1242611930&sr=8-1) is a decent book, but you can find just as many routes on www.mapmyride.com (http://www.mapmyride.com).

Even on hot days (which are rare), the parts of Marin and San Francisco near the ocean or bay shore are much milder.

Just be thankful you wern't here this weekend... Yesterday was perfectly clear (rare by the ocean), but wicked hot. I'm used to it here in the valley, but at 8am it was already 71 in San Rafael!

Alright, so I'm leaving tomorrow. I'm extremely excited. I've got all my gear ready but I have a big question. I just recently bought my pedals and shoes and never got a chance to get them on my bike and get used to them. Should I bring them or leave them? I understand that pedals make a significant difference in riding, especially when I'm going to be climbing for the first time. Should I bring them and get used to them in San Francisco or should I leave them and just ride on platforms? I figure if its not gonna be very stop and go it shouldn't be a problem but I could really use your advice. Thanks for your time.

If you are not used to clipless pedals, I'd recommend leaving them behind. It's tough enough getting used to them on their own, but combined with a strange bike, new roads, plus getting used to hills is a bit much.

You don't need them for climbing, they help a bit but I've done plenty of climbing without. Just keep the gear low so that you can keep spinning.

BTW you might be interested in this low-key ride this weekend:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=543128

Have fun and take lots of pictures! :thumb:

If you are not used to clipless pedals, I'd recommend leaving them behind. It's tough enough getting used to them on their own, but combined with a strange bike, new roads, plus getting used to hills is a bit much.


I agree. In fact, just installing and aligning your cleats can be an all day job. You don't want to waste your vacation doing that. If your new shoes can be used without the cleats, then bring those. Real cycling shoes will be more comfortable than sneakers, even when you are using toe clips instead of clipless pedals. But you're better off doing at least one practice ride at home with any new equipment.

If you are not used to clipless pedals, I'd recommend leaving them behind. It's tough enough getting used to them on their own, but combined with a strange bike, new roads, plus getting used to hills is a bit much.


+1 Yes, leave them home. (I had assumed you rode clipless when I made the original suggestion). Enjoy your trip.

Here I am in San Francisco! You are very lucky to live here everyone! I love Miami but San Francisco really is amazing. I think I'm going to go riding tomorrow. The weather was FREEZING today. I guess I'm going to ride with my jersey and shorts and a windbreaker over me. Thanks to everyone for all the help and advice. Is anybody riding out tomorrow or on Monday?

Go East! I rode up Diablo (near Walnut Creek) this afternoon and it was beautiful - in the 80's but nice cool breezes took the edge off.

When are you going for a ride? We get an early day today (2pm).

Is anybody riding out tomorrow or on Monday?

I believe the ride I mentioned is tomorrow.


BTW you might be interested in this low-key ride this weekend:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=543128