numnutz

What should I expect in terms of weather? Is there any good place to stay up there? I'll be coming from the East Bay and would prefer not to wake up at 3:30AM if there's a nice hotel/motel/Holiday Inn near Tomales. Any other tips?

ConstantRider

Tomales is a tiny little town. I'm sure there are some B&B's around, but off-hand can't think of any motels/hotels. There is a place, the Valley Ford Hotel, about five miles north in Valley Ford. Never been there, just pass it on rides.

Your best bet, especially if you're just looking for something more like a Holiday Inn than a B&B is to stay in Petaluma. It's only about 15 miles east of Tomales, and if you take Bodega Avenue (which eventually turns into Tomales-Petaluma Rd.) out of town, it's a pretty fast drive to Tomales, probably 20 - 25 minutes or so.

As for weather, it can be foggy/windy when you're on the coastal parts of the route, and warmer when you travel inland. I did it in 2007 and don't remember it being particularly cold though -- I think at the most I had arm/knee warmers. I'd bring those things plus a vest to the start, and determine how much you actually need to take along then.

numnutz

Thanks for the tips. I'm mainly concerned about it being too hot inland. Is that often the case?

jeph

Not sure if Rancho Nicasio has rooms or not. There are some B&B's in Olema. If you want a regular Motel/hotel you might have to Terra Linda or San rafael. Novato may have some rooms like that. I have noticed a hotel off of 101 around there. Can't think of the name, but should come up on google.

As far as the weather, it has been very unpredctiable for the weather service. Yesterday's forecast for Santa Rosa was the hi 80's and it was over 100. Today was forecast for 87 it is was about 95. I don't know the ride's exact route, but it could be in the 60's near the coast and the 90's not too far inland.

have fun, it's a beautiful area.