May 13, 2013
Yet Another Trip to San Francisco/Bay Area (Trip #15 overall)

This was the 6th trip to Bay Area for my Ritchey Breakaway (and 15th trip overall). My Ritchey visited San Francisco area twice in 2011, went on three trips in 2012 and now another trip, first of hopefully several for 2013. 

On Day 1 I met with my friend Keith who now lives in Bay Area, for a ride that included Morgan Territory and Mount Diablo - similar to queen’s stage of this year’s Tour of California. Only 65 miles and 6,700 ft of climbing but felt longer and tougher than it sounds:

http://app.strava.com/activities/50727144

For day 2 I didn’t have much time between meetings and business dinner, so I just rode around briefly around Wildcat canyon (21 miles, 2,000ft):

http://app.strava.com/activities/50870846

For day 3 I did an epic “greatest Hits of Marin County and SF” (again) 74 miles and 8,100 ft of climbing - included Mill Valley, Mt. Tam, Stinson Beach, Muir Beach, Muir Woods, Sausalito, Headlands, Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park and Twin Peaks.

http://app.strava.com/activities/51060462

Day 1 Photos:

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Day 3 Photos:

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7:41pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZMEgxwkwmSbU
Filed under: bay area diablo mount diablo mount tam mt tam cycling cyclogram bikeaway ritchey ritchey BAB ritchey breakaway morgan territory stinson beach muir beach muir woods Golden Gate twin peaks headlands sausalito mill valley 
March 10, 2012
Bay Area Ride: Mt. Tam and Other Greatest Hits of Marin County

Today I rode Mt. Tam from Mill Valley. First I got a bit lost in redwoods near Mill Valley trying to find Panoramic Highway, but instead discovered an awesome narrow, twisty-turny residential road surrounded with redwoods that was rolling up and down and eventually brought me back to Mill Valley. I eventually found the right path to Panoramic and was soon climbing into the fog and by the time I reached the summit of Mt. Tam I was completely surrounded by the fog - I could barely make out San Francisco and Golden Gate bridge in the distance. I descended all the way to Stinson beach and then followed Shoreline Highway to Muir Beach to Tamalpais Valley and Marin City. On Google Streets the Shoreline Highway looked like a busy road with no shoulder, but that road was totally amazing. I also really enjoyed the descent to the Stinson beach, fantastic road!
I rode to Golden Gate - the bike side of the bridge is still closed and it was a total zoo trying to dodge tourists. After a short loop around Presidio Park I crossed Golden Gate again and went up Headlands. At the top of the climb I realized I need to head back to Mill Valley. I stopped in Mill Valley to have a burger and a shake (at Super Duper Burger). It must have been 3,000 calories, at least! I then had a bit of a scare as I frantically ride around Mill Valley trying to figure out where I parked my car - everything looked very different during the day as opposed to early morning. I found it eventually but I will from now on make a habit of remembering where I start my ride from and how to get back. 67 miles with 6,700 ft climbed.
Photos below.

11:39pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZMEgxwHoYPcl
Filed under: ritchey breakaway ritchey breakaway mt tam tamalpais mount tamalpais mount tam marin county marin san francisco bay area california cycling descenders stinson beach muir beach marin headlands golden gate bridge golden gate presidio headlands mill valley sausalito panoramic shoreline panoramic highway shoreline highway route 1 coastline