datlas 

I am coming to San Francisco next week. My first ride will be on a weekday, probably Thursday, and since I may have some jet lag I wanted something fun but not too harsh.

I figured since it will be a week day, it would be good to do the touristy thing and ride over the GGB and out to Mt. Tam and back.

I found this route, is it a good one?

San Francisco, CA: Mount Tamalpais | Bicycling in California

p.s. second ride, on the weekend, will be Diablo from Walnut Creek BART station.

Bostic

That's a nice classic route, mapped by our own Taxi777 in the Norcal forums. If you have more time and want more climbing you can head up to Fairfax to climb Mt. Tam North to South via Fairfax Bolinas, Alpine, Ridgecrest to Summit. Since it will be a weekday you will be spared the endless amount of traffic on Shoreline highway.

DiabloScott

Go one more stop to Pleasant Hill - same distance to Diablo but a MUCH nicer ride.


https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/fullscreen/15535118/

datlas 

I will take that under advisement. But this is the North approach, yes? I heard the South approach is more scenic.

Of course I should really do BOTH, but I don't want to bite off more than I can chew.

DiabloScott

Walnut Creek BART is in a congested area, might not be too bad on a weekend though.

And yeah, to get to South Gate Road is about 11 miles from the Walnut Creek BART and it's not too bad, but not exactly fun.

The South Gate riders like to say their side is more scenic to hide the truth that they do it because it's easier; North Gate Road is about 1% less scenic.

Enjoy this clip from a couple weeks ago. North Gate to Junction and back down.

datlas 

OK I will consider all options.

Any info on water availability these days?? I plan to get an early start to beat the heat but will still need some fluids on the ride.

DiabloScott

Junction and Summit for sure, I'm not positive about the other picnic areas but some have definitely been turned off.

hueyhoolihan

nothing saying ascending Northgate and decending Southgate can't be done, or in reverse.

cthenn

I agree on PH BART. Don't get off at WC it's terrible for bicycling. The main road, Ygnacio Valley Rd is basically a freeway with minimal lane widths and a concrete curb on the edge. NO ROOM whatsoever for bikes, extremely dangerous. I have never, ever ridden on that road, and never will. If you get off at PH BART, you can take the Iron Horse Trail to Bancroft Rd and then ride the road to the mountain (with bike lanes). You can ride over the ridiculous waste of money $16 million pedestrian bridge over Treat Blvd!

Dalai

Both Mt Tam and Diablo are great rides so you will enjoy both!

I landed in SF before heading through the Eastern Sierra, CO, AZ and SoCal last September. Both of your choices were part of my itinerary, though as suggested above; if you can get to Fairfax for the Mt Tam loop it makes for a great ride from that side. If interested in other rides to do around SF, you can see which I chose in my blog posts from last year...

localroutes

Nice route, but like any new ride, easy to get lost, as if you ride the local route there are many turns that must be taken. Try thelocalsroute.com to ride along with a local rider for free.

datlas 

Thanks, I just submitted this.

One other question, I am likely going to want to do a group/club ride on Saturday morning 8/16, prefer an early start and 50-65 miles, moderate pace. Are there any posted club rides or shop rides that someone could suggest?

I still plan to assault Diablo with my friend but that will be on Sunday the 17th.

datlas 

I just saw the Rapha Saturday Club ride. Sounds like it's worth doing....any comments pro or con??

4151zero

here's some more from a LBS

Event Calendar - mikesbikes.com

datlas 

Update:

OK, the guides from "thelocalroutes" seem nice but are busy this Thursday. Anyone want to ride with a fellow BFer?? If not, I will do my best to follow the route I posted...but it looks a bit complicated. How may cyclists can I expect to be out on a weekday morning heading out that way say at 8 or 9AM??

If anyone is willing and/or interested in riding with me, please let me know in here or shoot me a PM. I like to ride at a reasonable but civilized pace.

datlas 

Ok I am going to do this ride, or something resembling it, tomorrow morning. I tried to find a local to ride with but no luck. I have a rental and will hit the road early, wish me luck!

4151zero

I'm sure you're having a blast this a.m., weather should be just right too!

datlas 

Yup. Two really good rides in Marin county so far. Today did the Rapha Club ride, which was a blast.

Gonna try Diablo tomorrow.

datlas 

In case anyone is following this, I did end up doing 3 good rides in the past 4 days. First ride included Mt Tam, second ride was Rapha Club Saturday ride which went out to Alpine Dam, and 3rd ride went from Oakland out to the summit of Diablo. Each ride was around 60 miles and 5-6000 feet of climbing.

I came back to SF via Walnut Grove BART and I agree that the few miles near the BART station were the least bike friendly.

All good rides.

4151zero

Awesome!!

KenshiBiker

Congrats on three awesome rides.

Anyone care to comment on traffic on the Mt Tam ride? Lately I've found myself near Crissy Field on Sunday afternoons with not a whole lot to do. Wouldn't mind trying Mt Tam, if the traffic is somewhat reasonable.

Thanks,

KB

John Howard

same distance to Diablo but a MUCH nicer ride.

DiabloScott

I was comparing WCBart to North Gate and PHBart to North Gate