Good rides for a newbie in the San Francisco area...?

[joys]

Hi there,
Could anybody suggest some favorite loops (preferably starting and ending in SF) that would not kill a newbie? I'm aiming for a slightly challenging day ride (I know challenging is a relative term...I guess no centuries or up hill in both directions type rides), possibly up around the Marin headlands, but would LOVE some advice.

Also, are there any good sites or resources for finding nice scenic rides?

Thanks!
Sara

[Trek420]

Welcome to TE! And you want Marin Headlands with no uphill or downhill?

Lots of good ideas. Check out the Velo Girls calendar at:

www.velogirls.com

The Mello Velo Saturday ride on the peninsula may be just right to start. Also we may have our own easy going flat ride this or next weekend. Stay tuned.

[joys]

Hah! Both uphilll and downhill are fine...just no non-stop uphill all of the way around!
Thanks for the Velo Girls tip

[carolp]

You might also want to check the aidslifecycle site. They have a number of rides that start and finish in the city-- most at Sports Basement across from Crissy Field, although as the season goes on there are more and more hills to climb.

[bikerz]

There's a great ride (probably on the ALC site) called "Paradise Loop" that leaves from the Sports Basement near Crissy Field and goes through Sausalito and Tiburon and back - someone can correct me, but I think it is about 35 miles or so, and just beautiful, and not too hard.

[joys]

Fantastic, thanks!