Tag Archives: bike

Trail: THE SHARK’S FIN — Paradise Loop — Tiburon to Larkspur

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At the end of The Jaws of Life you have a few choices, follow Paradise Drive to Corte Madera and the Larkspur Ferry Terminal, wait for the ferry in Tiburon or return to Sausalito.  “Get A Move On” is a glimpse of what you can expect to see on your ride along The Shark’s Fin – popularly known as ‘Paradise Loop’.

Distance from San Francisco Ferry Building (see Golden Gateway Trail) 33.76 miles; from the Marin Crossroads 19.33 miles; from Tiburon (see The Jaws of Life) 11.55 miles

Difficulty: Those comfort bikes are not longer so comfortable after the 20+ mile ride to Tiburon, so this route is typically only for Bay Area bikers and a good workout with the initial climb and the constant rolling hills.

Climbing on Route: 308 feet (94 meters)

Download your route sheet here: Directions – Shark’s Fin

FOR A MORE DETAILED LOOK click here for the full Geoped Map provided by g-map-pedometer.com.

Elevation Map for the Route provided by MapMyRide.com

It is just over eight miles from Tiburon to the Corte Madera Bike Path, but being able to gauge how far you’ve ridden along the Shark’s Fin and how far you have to go is key when attempting to catch the Larkspur Ferry on the weekends.  Below are the intersections along Paradise Drive as you ride from Tiburon to Larkspur.

Print out a copy to carry along for the ride.

At the intersection of Wornum Drive, cross Redwood Highway and under the US-101 overpass until you reach the intersection with Tamal Vista Boulevard.

Cross the street and you will be on Bike Route 16, the Larkspur-Corte Madera Bike Path.  You will recognize Mount Tamalpais in the background.

Follow the Route 16 over the bridge and make a right onto Route 18 at the path just over the bridge.

Follow the path to Lucky Drive, where Route 18 makes a right.


Follow Lucky Drive until you reach the “Bike Boneyard”.

If you deposit $0.05 with the Tin Man, he will let you know to keep going past the end of the culdesac and up the path to the bridge over the river.

Don’t worry, the pavement doesn’t end for bikes, it keeps going over along the bike path over the bridge. At the end of the bridge, make a hard, almost 180 degree, left-hand-turn and keep on Route 18.

At the end of the path, make a left on to Route 20 towards the Larkspur Ferry Terminal.

Follow Route 20 under the bridge.

Under the bridge, you’ll follow Route 20 over the wooden bridge.

At the end of the bridge, make a right towards the ferry terminal.

A little ways down the path you’ll see the bike turn in for the Larkspur Ferry Terminal, make a right and follow the path to the terminal ticket booth.

Once at the Larkspur Ferry Terminal, wait on the next ferry back to the San Francisco Ferry Building.  The 5:30p.m. ferry on weekends goes through Sausalito, so make sure you check out our article on the Hat Trick.

After completing the Shark’s Fin, relax and enjoy an adult beverage on the ferry ride back to San Francisco. Whether your decide to go back to San Francisco or keep going beyond Larkspur, have a great ride and a wonderful ride back to San Francisco.

Trail: PAYING THE TOLL — Mount Tamalpais Stage 3

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Pan Toll Road the shortest stage of the climb to the summit of Mount Tamalpais, but it’s also the toughest. The route is full of relentless double-digit grade assents.  If you are looking to test your grit and stamina, this is the place to do it.  Once you pass the first mile, you can stop and break for some pictures of the sweeping views around you and then press on through the last half-mile of the stage.  At the end of the trail you feel as major sense of accomplishment because you know you’ve made it through one bad ass climb!

Distance from San Francisco Ferry Building (see Golden Gateway Trail) 24.43 miles; from the Marin Crossroads 10.00 miles; from Somewhere Over the Rainbow 5.92 miles; from A Panoramic View 1.43

Difficulty: HC (hors catégorie) aka this would be a steep climb on the Tour de France! 

Climbing on Route: 531 feet (171 meters)

Total Elevation Gain from Marin Crossroads: 2011 feet (649 meters)

Download your route sheet here: Directions – Paying the Toll

Download your route sheet for the entire Mount Tamalpais Route here: Directions – There and Back Again

FOR A MORE DETAILED LOOK click here for the full Geoped Map provided by g-map-pedometer.com.


Elevation Map for the Route provided by MapMyRide.com

At the crest of Panoramic Highway and the end of A Panoramic View, the summit of Mount Tamalpias still lies four miles away.  Before reaching the top of Mt. Tam, you will have to conquer Pan Toll Road.

To begin the next stage of ascending Mt. Tam, turn right from Panoramic Highway onto Pan Toll Road.

Pan Toll Road is the entrance to Mount Tamalpais State Park.

The first section of climbing is step with very little shoulder room, so watch out for the passing by.

Gradient looking toward Panoramic Highway at the turn onto Pan Toll  Road

You will get a slight reprieve from the constant climbing and the road will level off for a short stint before the steep grade returns.  The road turns around corners as the grade changes from gradual to steep to moderate.  Theses series of turns will take you to the one mile marker of the route where you are presented with your first opportunity to break.

Steep climbs and sweeping turns typify the climb along Pan Toll Road

The first rest area is a great place to take pictures of your adventure and to rehydrate.

A vista with a view of the climbing you have just completed and the Pacific Ocean

The road to come is the steepest and toughest climbing of the stage

The last part of the climb is short, but extremely steep all the way to Ridgecrest Boulevard.

There is one more rest area along the last section of the climb.  This is a good place to stop if you need a short break. At the end of the climb along Pan Toll Road you will reach Rock Spring.

Rock Spring is at an elevation of 1940 feet above sea level.  The slight descent along Panoramic Highway increases the total elevation gain from Marin Crossroad to over 2000 feet! Once you reach this point, you can either turn left onto West Ridgecrest Boulevard and  take in the spectacular views of Stinson Beach and Bolinas below, or turn right onto East Ridgecrest Boulevard and begin the final stage of ascending Mount Tamalpais.

Reaching the top of Pan Toll road is no small feet, with over 2000 feet of climbing, conquering this advanced route is what many Bay Area bikers do when they are up for a challenge and want a spectacular descent as their reward.  The steep climbing turns into steep descending with technical twists and turns as you make your way back to Mill Valley or Sausalito.

Trail: A PANORAMIC VIEW – Mount Tamalpais, Part 2

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The second stage of the Mount Tamalpais climb contains some of the most breathtaking views in Western Marin County.  Follow Panoramic Highway as it winds and climbs from Sequoia Valley Road to Pan Toll Road.  Topping out at just over 1500 feet, climbing the 6.5 miles to the crest of Panoramic Highway is an achievement alone. No matter what direction you choose to go next, you’ll feel like a rockstar when you arrive!

Distance from San Francisco Ferry Building (see Golden Gateway Trail) 23.00 miles; from the Marin Crossroads 8.57 miles; from Somewhere Over the Rainbow 4.49 miles

Difficulty: If you think you can huff it out with some of the Bay Area’s seasoned cyclists, give it a shot!

Climbing on Route: 925 feet (298 meters)

Total Elevation Gain from Marin Crossroads: 1529 feet (493 meters)

Download your route sheet here: Directions – A Panoramic View

Download your route sheet for the entire Mount Tamalpais Route here: Directions – There and Back Again

FOR A MORE DETAILED LOOK click here for the full Geoped Map provided by g-map-pedometer.com.


Elevation Map for the Route provided by MapMyRide.com

 

At the end of Sequoia Valley Road, turn right on Panoramic Highway.

After a brief break from climbing as you pass the Yoga on the Mountain sign, a half mile of very tough climbing begins.

Yoga on the Mountain at the Muir Woods Community Center

The climbing begins

The initial two hills are broken up by a short flat where you have your first views of the valleys below.

Passing over the valleys and climbing through the mist

The second climb, as you reach the curve signs, you are almost there

At the top of the second climb you reach the only descent on this stage.  Enjoy this pedal-free section as you take in spectacular views.  The fog will break and views of the peaks around Mt. Tam and Muir Woods below will open.  Though the route is sparsely populated, the Mountain Home Inn sits about halfway through this part of the trail.

Take a break and glide down the descent

If it starts out foggy, you

 

The peaks around Mt. Tam start to appear at this point along Panoramic Highway.

Muir Woods is visible in the valley below

Mountain Home Inn

If you are seeking a break or food before the next part of the assent, the Mountain Home Inn is a great place to stop and eat lunch.  Amazing views of Mill Valley, Strawberry and Tiburon await you at the outdoor seating.

Follow the sign and keep climbing along Panoramic Highway.  The next mile and a half of the route takes twists and turns through the woods.  With flat to moderate climbing along this section you can pick up the pace.

You will notice the beginning of the major climb when you start slowing down and your legs begin to burn.  This last mile and a half of the route is a tough, steep slog through the woods up to the crest of Panoramic Highway.  Bootjack picnic area signals the last quarter mile of the climb.

At Mount Tamalpais State Park, Panoramic Highway reaches its peak and signifies the end of this section of the Mt. Tam trail.

Entrance of Mount Tamalpais State Park

To the left, the descent to Stinson Beach. To the right, Pan Toll road and a continued assent of Mount Tamalpais looms.

With the final climb on Panoramic Highway over, you have a few options of what to do next. If a descent is calling your name, you can take a break, enjoy the spectacular descent into Stinson Beach and the views that go along with it.  Just remember that what goes down, must climb back up.  If your legs are still feeling strong, there are two more stages of climbing to summit Mt. Tam.  Watch for our trail “Paying the Toll” detailing this assent coming soon.

If you are done climbing, the descent back to Sausalito down Panoramic Highway is seven fast and furious miles of twists and turns skimming the ridge above Muir Woods.  You’ll easily keep up with the 30 mph speed limit and only be slowed down by the Sunday drivers.

Tips & Tricks: Damage Control and Revenge of the Tiny Neon Cyclist

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There’s no perfectly safe way to ride a bicycle. Even when you’re done contending with the obvious cars, pedestrians and fellow cyclists, there’s nothing like trolley tracks to derail you or an unleashed dogs to throw you off, literally. (Canine hit and runs are not an uncommon occurrence according to Bicycling‘s Bob Mionske. So, whoof!) You can only do so much you can do to protect yourself but if you’re looking for an extra coat of armor here are suggestions from San Francisco’s Tiny Neon Cyclist.

The Amber Daytime Running Light by Dinotte 

Colliding with a car changes everything and begs the question: why didn’t they see me? In case of a next time, the most obvious protection seems like shining a bright light at less attentive drivers. The problem with regular bike headlights, no matter how bright (or thousands of lumens), is that white light is imperceptible in sunlight. This amber colored light by Dinotte is the same shade as a turn signal or Road Work light, making it visible in the daytime.

See for yourself:

The settings include low, medium, high and several different strobes. (The strobe’s additional benefit is that in can be used to modulate tourists crossing the pedestrian side of the Golden Gate Bridge, who move out of your way because they think your a bike cop.) Rechargeable AA’s and a battery charger purchased separately at stores like Radio Shack make this an economical, eco-friendly choice as well. With two interchangeable sets of battery packs this light will last on a high setting even on long rides.

For those of you with fears of getting hit from behind, the buzz surrounding Dinnote 140R Taillight is getting attention on bike forums worldwide from owners who swear by it for daytime and nighttime use, in spite of the hefty price tag (129.00 USD). Just how bright is it? The following video is pretty compelling.

Why No One Looks Hot in Neon Yellow and Why Everyone Is Wearing It 

Neon colored clothing hasn’t been fashionable since 1980-what (which is coincidentally the only other time I wore spandex), so the trend of fluorescent yellow cycling jackets wasn’t an automatic choice. What were these cyclists in neon yellow thinking? That cars could see them and fashion be damned.

It is absolutely impossible to blend in neon yellow. Whether in the bright sunlight on an ocean highway, in the dark shade of a woodsy trail, even among the colorful traffic in the city streets, you just can’t miss the neon yellow cyclist. These “high visibility” jackets come with sleek styling and flattering fits from makers like Pearl Izumi and Sugoi for both men and women.

Truthfully, any kind of colorful clothing makes you more visible to motorists on any given day and is useful on any part of your body.

Ultimately no matter how luminous and bright you look you can’t account for people not paying attention. That’s why cars regularly collide with each other. You have right to fear because of the difference between you and a  four thousand pound metal fortress crushing against your bare fragile body. Cycling while preoccupied by fear is not only unpleasant its distraction is dangerous. A solid set of bike handling skills can promote confidence and prepare you for anything on the road.

Why You’re Never Too Cool For School 

No one is above a little basic bike skills training, not only for conquering the unknown but for breaking bad habits we’ve picked up like colds from other cyclists. Lori Lee Lown, founder of the Velo Girls, and her team teach a series of bike workshops, geared towards women but open to men, that focus on everything from beginners ‘Individual Bike Handling Skills’ to more advanced ‘Racing Skills and Tactics’.

(Photos courtesy of velogirls.com) 

Alternately for members of REI, free basic bike clinics are offered to members during spring and summer months. There is certainly other coaching available through other cycling clubs and bike shops throughout the country. Ask the store where you bought your bike or Google a search for “bike classes” in your town. There’s much to be learned from publications like Bicycling Magazine and VeloNews which offer tips, articles and product recommendations to keep new and experienced cyclists at the forefront of the sport with advise from experts and professional cyclists.

WORDS OF WISDOM FROM 

THE TINY NEON CYCLIST

Confidence is key. If finding bike couture in Day-Glo or attaching a “warning light” to your bike brings brings your calm to a level where you can enjoy the ride that may be the armory you need. “Whatever helps you sleep at night” becomes “Whatever helps you bike all day” to the cyclist, whether it’s protective gear or an extra water bottle: the goal is to ride on and ride strong. In avoiding accidents experts and experienced cyclists agree on the importance of making eye contact with drivers to make sure they’re paying attention and to humanize you beyond another road obstacle. Sometimes being bright makes no difference to the inattentive driver on the phone or enthusiastic dog. Cycling clothes are frequently made to look sleek in black, but what’s the good if you’re better looking if you can’t be seen.

My “revenge” as the Tiny Neon Cyclist was against my fear of cars, trolley tracks and dogs that brought about my unceremonious “involuntary dismounts” but which created a new and improved Tiny Neon Cyclist, riding with a very, very brightly lit confidence.