Biking advice in San Francisco

[ehirsch83]

I have not rented bikes there, but I know that my mom and her boyfriend shipped their bikes out with them(they just spent a month out in san fran). They did a lot of riding down by the marina.
I also just spent a week with my older sister and her boyfriend(they live in the north panhandle) and I did tons of running through the panhandle, presidio, and golden gate park. You could definitely ride through golden gate park if you wanted to avoid all of the traffic of the city, and then ride out to the beach and ride along there.
I know I am not much help, but some of the fine ladies of the bay area on here should definitely be able to steer you to a good lbs to rent a bike from.

and beware of the death monsters!!(ahh i loved seeing this on the MUTs)

[maillotpois]

We see a lot of the Blazing Saddles people over our way. They cross the Golden Gate bridge, and come to Mill Valley and decide they're going to ride to Muir Woods. I always find them about a half mile up what's probably a 2 - 3 mile climb (with some double digit percentage grades), stopped at the side of the road, looking at maps and scratching their helmets. I always stop and give some direction (like don't take Wildomar north of Molino, the street with the 25% grade because I don't even like to drive up it). My daughter often gives them advice on her way home from school - we were just talking about this today.

If you do want to come north of the city, there are some nice loops in Marin and a great bike path in Sausalito. Just know that Muir Woods is a pretty technical climb/descent.

[Bike Goddess]

Let us know when you're coming to SF. Maybe we can arrange a guided tour!
Some of us have the fortune of working part time or are on flexible schedules.

IF I were you, I'd call Blazing Saddles before you come and find out if you can reserve a bike. Also, find out what kind of pedals they have in the event that you need to bring your own.

Don't forget to bring your cycling shoes AND bring layers of clothes as it can get quite chilly in the AM and PM what with the fog and all.

[jobob]

I love the photos on the Blazing Saddles site, with all the extraneous car and pedestrian traffic airbrushed out.

[annie]

Let us know when you're coming to SF. Maybe we can arrange a guided tour!
Some of us have the fortune of working part time or are on flexible schedules.

IF I were you, I'd call Blazing Saddles before you come and find out if you can reserve a bike. Also, find out what kind of pedals they have in the event that you need to bring your own.

Don't forget to bring your cycling shoes AND bring layers of clothes as it can get quite chilly in the AM and PM what with the fog and all.

Thanks!! That would be very amazing to ride with someone who knows their way around. We will arrive in SF sometime late afternoon on Saturday, September 15. We'll leave the morning of Thursday, September 20. I don't know what hubby's conference schedule is yet. I keep asking him to bring it home!

I will check out Blazing Saddles. Hopefully, if I reserve ahead of time, I can get a bike I'll be comfortable on. I wonder if I should bring my own saddle, too? Would arm warmers and a jacket be enough for chilly time riding?

Annie

[annie]

We see a lot of the Blazing Saddles people over our way. They cross the Golden Gate bridge, and come to Mill Valley and decide they're going to ride to Muir Woods. I always find them about a half mile up what's probably a 2 - 3 mile climb (with some double digit percentage grades), stopped at the side of the road, looking at maps and scratching their helmets. I always stop and give some direction (like don't take Wildomar north of Molino, the street with the 25% grade because I don't even like to drive up it). My daughter often gives them advice on her way home from school - we were just talking about this today.

If you do want to come north of the city, there are some nice loops in Marin and a great bike path in Sausalito. Just know that Muir Woods is a pretty technical climb/descent.

I gather that Muir Woods is more for mountain biking? When you say it's technical, sounds off-road to me. I probably would pass on that. I am def more of a roadie.

I'm sure I'd love to come north and do some Marin loops, but I have to keep in mind that my biking time will be limited to when DH is in conference. He is not a biker, so when he's free, we'll be doing other, more touristy stuff.

Annie

[maillotpois]

So is there a bridge to Angel Island? Are the biking trails there for road or mtb bikes?

I will check out the location of Point Reyes National Seashore.

Annie

No - there is a ferry to Angel Island. I believe there are then dirt roads there.

Pt. Reyes is about 45 minutes north of SF on Highway 1 - in itself worth the drive if you have a car.

I gather that Muir Woods is more for mountain biking? When you say it's technical, sounds off-road to me. I probably would pass on that. I am def more of a roadie.

By technical, I meant twisty steep road riding. So if you're up for that, it's a good ride. It's just not a good ride for tourists with platform pedals, etc. I really do worry about them.

If you are up for something like that, then a great ride (during the week, when the traffic is less) is to ride through Nuir Woods and then take Hwy 1. to Stinson Beach. This will be longer and hillier. You can do a great loop. PM me if you want any maps or anything.

[maillotpois]

On the bike rental, I would definitely bring my own saddle, shoes and pedals.

[Trek420]

I know there are probably other Bay Area shops that rent bikes but here's one I found. When DuckonWheels was here I rented one for her so she could do a TE ride with us.

You'd need a bike rack or means to get the bike back to S.F. but it's nearby, and they have some pretty decent hardtails and mountain bikes, they will even fit, swap out pedals and saddles etc.

www.summitbicycles.com

[jobob]

No - there is a ferry to Angel Island. I believe there are then dirt roads there.

IIRC, the road encircling the island is paved for the most part, with some dirt road as well.

Angel Island is a *really* nice excursion, but it could eat up a lot of your time with the ferry crossings- since you're going to be there after the summer season is over, the ferry schedule might be scaled back.

Given your time constraints, perhaps a ride across the GG bridge into Sausalito and maybe on to Tiburon and a ferry ride back into San Francisco might be nice.

[annie]

IIRC, the road encircling the island is paved for the most part, with some dirt road as well.

Angel Island is a *really* nice excursion, but it could eat up a lot of your time with the ferry crossings- since you're going to be there after the summer season is over, the ferry schedule might be scaled back.

Given your time constraints, perhaps a ride across the GG bridge into Sausalito and maybe on to Tiburon and a ferry ride back into San Francisco might be nice.

Probably not gonna do Angel Island, as I would rather stay with paved roads and a road bike, if possible. '

What's it like, riding across the GG bridge? Is there a bike lane or do you ride with the traffic? I have a little bit of bridge phobia, but might be able to do it if I need to. I figure I'll have approx. 6 hours worth of riding time so I should be able to get in a decent number of miles. I'll bring my own shoes, pedals, water bottles, etc. OH- and a camera!

Annie

[maillotpois]

For the bridge, you ride on the pedestrian sidewalk. not my favorite, and definitely to be avoided on summer weekends. just take it slowly at the towers and you'll be fine.