Originally Posted by
2000m2
Hello all,
New on the forum. Recently moved to the Bay Area from Seattle (most recently). I've done different types of riding over the years, Mtn bike racing in upstate NY when I was really young and road racing in college. I'm trying to get back in to decent shape to join some group rides. I have a road bike, mtn bike and gravel/cross bike, so looking to learn some routes/trails in the area. I'm on the Peninsula in San Carlos.
It would be great to find some gravel, fire-road type routes nearby. Driving an hour each way to ride for an hour, ends up being a bit too much.
Thanks!
You are in luck. You basically live in the greatest cycling location in the country, as long as you've got the legs for it (lots of climbing). Just ride straight towards the coast, and voila. The only problem is a lot of the glorious, glorious fire roads in Woodside aren't bike legal.
For a few starter rides, I'd recommend:
1) up Kings Mtn Rd (paved), and then descend Purissima Creek Trail. Have some fun in Half Moon Bay, then return.
2) up Alpine to dirt Alpine, then from there you (a) hit Russian Ridge with tons of trails there, or (b) descend Stevens Creek Trail or (c) descend West Alpine to Portola Redwood State Park and Old Haul Rd
Basically, everything between 280 and Highway 1 is a cyclists paradise, and there are countless ways paved and non-paved routes can be wound together. I recommend the following reading to give you some good ideas:
https://www.amazon.com/Once-Upon-Rid...dp/1521896194/