Northern California - Visiting NorCal - Where to ride?

Hi, all

I'm visiting a friend in Los Altos for a week at the end of July, and have been told I have access to a bike while I'm there. I'm mostly a commuter/utility cyclist, but figure it would be a shame to miss out on a nice ride just because I don't have errands to run or a job to get to. If there is one must-do ride around the Los Altos area (or somewhere reasonably close), what would it be?

I'm curious about a phenomenon I've heard of around your parts, which I believe are called "hills." I'm not sure how well I would take to them, living on an alluvial plain as I do, but I'd like to give them a try. Within reason.

If there's a group ride of some kind happening July 24-31, I might be interested in that, too!

Thanks in advance.

I recommend trying Los Altos Hills, which is adjacent to Los Altos. Purissima Rd, Elena Rd, and Altamont Rd are parallel roads with low traffic that you can use to make lots of different loops. As you go farther west, the roads get more hilly.

If those are too easy for you, a really nice, but not real easy ride is Page Mill Road over the mountain and down to the ocean on the other side. Return via the same route or the popular Tunitas Creek Road (featured in the recent Tour of California race).

If you want a real easy ride, the Stevens Creek Trail in Mountain View (also adjacent to Los Altos) is pretty nice, except on weekends when it gets pretty crowded.

There are so many routes to choose! I'm sure you'll get so many opinions here it'll make your head spin.

My suggestion would be to ride across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco into Marin County. It's a less demanding route and contains the quintessential SF landmark. Head up Conzelman Drive for the most spectacular view of San Francisco region. Have coffee or lunch in Sausalito. Then head back by bike, or take the Ferry back.

Here are two websites that have route suggestions for the area, both hilly and less hilly.
http://cycling.stanford.edu/
http://www.rahul.net/kenton/fun/bike/

have fun!

If you want a real easy ride, the Stevens Creek Trail in Mountain View (also adjacent to Los Altos) is pretty nice, except on weekends when it gets pretty crowded.

Might as well walk that trail on the weekends. Too many purse dogs, kids wobbling on their bikes, kids running around unsupervised, those tardbuckets with the 3 feet long roller blades getting pissy with you because they take up the entire trail and don't want to let any one pass, and other aggravating obstacles.

There are so many routes to choose! I'm sure you'll get so many opinions here it'll make your head spin.

My suggestion would be to ride across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco into Marin County. It's a less demanding route and contains the quintessential SF landmark. Head up Conzelman Drive for the most spectacular view of San Francisco region. Have coffee or lunch in Sausalito. Then head back by bike, or take the Ferry back.

Conzelman Drive is closed for construction: http://www.projectheadlands.gov/closuresanddelaysbikes.htm

Awesome - thanks for the replies! I'm getting impatient just looking at some of those maps... Not sure I'm going to attempt Page Mill, but it certainly sounds intriguing.

Los Altos is cyclists paradise. Head southwest and you'll be in the Santa Mountains, due West will take you up Old La Honda where you can head north and do Tunitas Creek. Head north and you can ride through San Francisco and over the Golden Gate Bridge.

How about we have a BF Nor-Cal Meet N' Greet for you?

I've been in touch with a couple of BF Nor-Calers about meeting up - what does a BF Nor-Cal Meet N' Greet entail? Would I escape unscathed?

You have got to do the "Old La Honda" climb near Stanford in the town of Woodside. Look it up on those websites above. It's a short, but legendary climb that's known to everyone in Norcal, and a lot of cycling clubs base their ratings on your "Old La Honda (OLH)" time.

It's not that long (20-30mins to climb it), virtually no car traffic, and beautiful. Also easily accessible and hooks up to other great climbs in the region. Check it out.

I've been in touch with a couple of BF Nor-Calers about meeting up - what does a BF Nor-Cal Meet N' Greet entail? Would I escape unscathed?

Meet, greet each other, and ride.... There are several "Park N' Ride" commuter parking lots or other places to park and meet up. Also, out by the coast is an option as well. We had a big group meet in Half Moon Bay to start a coast ride before.

That would be cool. This is typically a weekend thing, I assume? I need to check my friend's plans, but I don't think it would be a problem. Her secret plan is to get me to want to move to California, after all.

Hey, all - thanks again for the information. I won't be making the trip after all, but have made notes for future reference! Happy riding.