Mount Tam Road Ride

[Veronica]

I love riding up Tam so I'm planning on riding it Nov. 25, as and up and back. Unlike Diablo, the descent is not all descending. It's more like Mines Road. Not sure of distances and elevation, or start time. Just wanted to get the date out.

Off to work.

V.

PS If the weather is decent, I plan on doing this again on my birthday (12/17) or the longer 70 mile loop I did in August if Thom's up for it by then.

[maillotpois]

You should do Alpine Dam loop (Fairfax - Alpine Dam - top - Mill Valley) - that's a better loop than a straight up and back from both terrain and traffic perspectives. Winter is less traffic, but I always try to plan my Tam rides to avoid bad traffic. About 35 - 40 miles, 3000 feet or so elevation.

I'll come bring coffee and watch. Or heckle.

[Veronica]

I was hoping you'd chime in with a better way to get back to Fairfax. One that would make a loop. Details please.

V.

[velogirl]

http://www.velogirls.com/resources/r...tsbasement.doc

[maillotpois]

Basically, it's Velogirl's route - but meet at the MV Middle School (plenty of parking, right on the bike path) and go from there to Fairfax and over. Then you have to drop down Tam to Mill Valley.

I am sure we have a topo map as well. But I can take VG's route and make the necessary modifications.

[Veronica]

Thanks ladies! Between the info from the two of you, I've figured it out.

V.

[Veronica]

Allrighty then, two routes to choose from.

Mount Tam - Mill Valley - 37 miles and according to MP about 3,000 feet of climbing. I have not ridden the Mill Valley section of this route.

Mount Tam - Muir Woods - Olema - 73 miles and 6300 feet of climbing. I did this ride on 7/26 and then a bit different configuration on the Mount Tam double. It's a beautiful ride, goes up the coast. Rte. 1 is a bit rough in the beginning, a good climb and then some rough ride. But so beautiful since you're right on the water.

V.

[maillotpois]

Whatever ride you do, be sure to stop at the 7-11 in Fairfax before you start climbing to the golf course. It's the last outpost before a whole lot of nothing in terms of available food and drink.

Unless of course, someone comes out to provide SAG... I could be persuaded....

[SadieKate]

Veronica, between all of Bubba's and my planned rides for the 4-day weekend plus social demands, I'd prefer to do the 37 mile course.

Are you going to try uploading GPX to routeslip? I'd love to see the course. I ride much better when I'm not disoriented on the route.

[jobob]

I ride much better when I'm not disoriented on the route.

must ... resist ...

[jobob]

Mr. Bob and I will be out of town this weekend, but we'd love to join you for a ride on your birthday, if it's a road ride.

Or at least, see you at the start, and eventually at the finish.

[maillotpois]

The "shorter loop": It is 34 miles and 3400 feet to be more specific. I looked back. You can also hang a left at Rock Springs and go to the top of Tam if you want. That would add about 5 miles and 800 feet. Roughly.

[SadieKate]

That sounds good. Me likes summit bragging rights.

[SadieKate]

Oh yeah, what is the traffic like on a holiday weekend? Do we need critical mass to just take over the road?

[maillotpois]

There will be traffic. But the direction I recommended should be better for traffic than if you were to just go up Tam from Mill Valley. Also, I recommend starting early. As early as you can stomach. That will help.

Are you meeting in Mill Valley? I had suggested meeting there at the Middle School - plenty of parking and right on the bike path. Then once you descend Tam you're done!