Best Rides in the Peninsula?
 

I'm looking for some road rides in the Peninsula. Half Moon Bay, Pacifica, San Mateo, Redwood City, etc..

I'm wondering which rides would be considered the safest as well. I noticed that most rides include Skyline Blvd HWY 35, have heard some good things and bad things about it.

Do you recommend highway 1 from Half Moon Bay to Santa Cruz?

My favorite:
Old La Honda - Tunitas Creek Loop in Woodside, CA, United States | MapMyRide

Really nice ride, there is some traffic on 84, but it's not that bad. Tunitas Creek is pretty challenging, but the location can't be beat.

Another similar loop goes over OLH, but instead of going out to the coast and back up Tunitas, you go up west Alpine Rd, and Page Mill. I personally haven't done this route, but I've heard it's also very nice.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/218020

This is great. I'm going to try to incorporate this into my routine. Might have to build up to it a little though. Woodside is nice, I've done Canada and King Mountain Road, it's a challenge.

Do you know anywhere in Pacifica and Halfmoon bay as well?

Thank you from me, too! Great rides!

I would add to those, this one, I recently discovered online: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/4556042. It covers Pacifica and Half Moon Bay. 61 Miles.

Also, on bikeconnection.net, there's a section called "Local Rides", which includes some Peninsula Rides.

Thanks. You've done highway 1. You must recognize this picture. How long does this go on without a bike lane?

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g2...ps2zpgjlzj.jpg

[QUOTE=DreamRider85;19119641]Thanks. You've done highway 1. You must recognize this picture. How long does this go on without a bike lane?

I don't know, I haven't done it yet, just red about it. My best advice, on riding on Sections without sholder/bike lane, is to wear a high visibility Green Florescent jacket, plus a Rear Tail Light, during the day, that Strobes/Blinks very high. Essentially, lights and equipment to catch the attention of all drivers, behind you.
Check the "High Visibility" product line from Trek bikes Bontrager Flare RT Tail Light | Trek Bikes

The only shoulderless section of Hwy 1 between Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz that I can think of is crossing the Tunitas Creek bridge. I do usually take Stage Road instead of Hwy 1 for a part of this distance, though.

Two excellent suggestions from cthenn (post #2). On the suggested Old La Honda ride, I like to take Pescadero Creek road from La Honda to Pescadero, then north on Stage Road to San Gregorio, returning to Woodside (as on the suggested ride) on Tunitas and King Mtn.

That's what I'm trying to look at. Stage Road or somewhere. And you're right the Tunitas Creek Bridge is in fact the part I'm talking about. Btw, do you know how long it's shoulderless for?

It's only the length of the bridge which is maybe a hundred yards. The bridge is below 2 hills, so you get over it pretty quick in either direction. Give yourself time and space to merge into traffic before you get to the bridge.

I live in HMB, steer clear of Skyline, just my 2 cents. The highway from HMB to Santa Cruz is great and for almost all of it there is a nice wide shoulder. The back roads between HMB and SC are even better. Stage Road to Pescadero, Hwy.84 to Redwood City, there are so many.

I would't recommend HMB to SC then come back to HMB. The winds are usually strong coming from the north in the afternoons so I'd recommend SC to HMB then back to SC.

I've done it several times with this Siclista group