Biking advice in San Francisco

[annie]

I'll be in SF for the first time ever this September. DH has a conference there and I'm going along. He'll be busy at least half of most days and I'll be looking to keep myself busy. I want to ride a bike! Not going to take mine along. I'd like to find somewhere I could rent a bike, that would also give me advice for routes. I know SF is hilly. I am not afraid of hills, on the right bike. I want to be safe. I don't want to get lost. I would greatly appreciate any advice anyone can share. I'll probably only have a couple of mornings to myself, so I'd like to make the most of them on a bike. Other than my biking, we're planning on going to Alcatraz, and doing a Winery/ Redwood tour. And of course, seeing the Golden Gate Bridge. Such tourists we'll be! LOL! Oh- sorry to be off topic, but if you've got any great recomendations for dining, I'm open for suggestions. Thanks!!!!!

Annie

[Ladyrunner]

This is what I got from Google: http://www.google.com/search?q=bicyc...ient=firefox-a

I would think the rental place would have maps of the city so you could get around without getting lost (hopefully!).

Also, it's good to hear that you're not afraid of hills. That's an important quality to have there. Some of those hills are hard for even my car to get up on.

Have a great trip!

[coyote]

It might be cool to take a bike tour when you first get there. There is a lot to see and SF is extremely urban. A tour of the town will give an idea of how SF is laid out and get a bit acclimated to the city. I love that town. Have a great time.

[weathergal]

Ooohh, I did this a couple of years ago when I was in the Bay area for a cousin's wedding. I arrived a day ahead of most of my family, so I rented from these guys: http://www.blazingsaddles.com/

I rented the "comfort hybrid" and they provided helmet, lock, rear rack, and handlebar bag. You can take a look at the maps they have on their page. Most people only do the "Bike the Bridge" ride, but I went a bit further on their "Presido and Golden Gate Park" route. It was fun biking close to Ocean Beach, and yes, the hills are tough. I ended up walking up one of them since I wasn't used to hills being so long. I got lost in Golden Gate Park (The City needs to mark their streets better!) and had lunch in the Haight, then back up to the Presido where I got lost again. Then I went over the Golden Gate (watch out for pedestrians on the bridge, especially when it's nice out) and down to Sausalito. When I got down to the docks, I found out my family was still in rental car hell, so I went on to Tiburon. Took the ferry back.

Even with the getting lost, I had a blast. It was neat going down residential streets to just to look at all the houses. San Francisco is a great city. I cut it close time-wise when I was catching the flight back, because I didn't want to leave.

I would change one thing if I did it over again and put in the same mileage as last time: I would pay the extra money and get the road bike instead of the hybrid. I was essentially on the bike for most of the day, and since the hybrid had a more upright riding position than I was used to, my butt hurt. And that was with wearing bike shorts. But if you're not planning on riding quite as much, the hybrid will be fine.

Hope that helps, and have fun!

[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.

[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

[Trek420]

Other than my biking, we're planning on going to Alcatraz, and doing a Winery/ Redwood tour. And of course, seeing the Golden Gate Bridge. Such tourists we'll be! LOL! Oh- sorry to be off topic, but if you've got any great recomendations for dining, I'm open for suggestions. Thanks!!!!!

Annie

Alcatraz is cool and I like the history but check out Angel Island. It's a biiiiiiig island in the middle of the bay with lots of hiking (and some bike) trails, beaches, incredible 360 degree view of the bay.

You must go to Point Reyes National Seashore

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

Funny how that works ;-)

For a preview of the Sonoma Napa Wine country go to the Ferry Building in SF. It's been turned into an indoor/outdoor market featuring local products of the North coast. Then skip the tour and go to the areas.

[Delta7]

check out Angel Island. It's a biiiiiiig island in the middle of the bay with lots of hiking (and some bike) trails, beaches, incredible 360 degree view of the bay.

+1 Angel Island is a treat indeed and you can rent bikes there. Also, the Grove in the Marina (on Chestnut) is nice for a mid-morning/afternoon coffee and a cool place to check out the locals

Have fun !

[annie]

All this marvelous advice, my head is spinning! LOL! I think I'm going to need more time there than I'll have. Or else have to go back again. (I like that idea.)

I will find out exactly where we are staying. I was thinking maybe I could contact the concierge at the hotel to ask about places to rent bikes. Now I can ask if Blazing Saddles is nearby. I think I'd go for the road bike, as I've never really ridden a hybrid. That's great advice, to ask about the pedals! I don't know if I'd have thought of that.

I'm getting really excited about going now, with all these ideas you've shared, ladies. Thanks!

Annie

[annie]

Alcatraz is cool and I like the history but check out Angel Island. It's a biiiiiiig island in the middle of the bay with lots of hiking (and some bike) trails, beaches, incredible 360 degree view of the bay.

You must go to Point Reyes National Seashore

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

[Becky Neal]

Hi Annie,

I found this sight by trying to find out info on riding in SF. I got a lot of needed info from the many people replying to your Question. My husband and I took our bikes and rode over the golden gate bridge and around SF. It was really cool. But I just wanted to add to the advice.

WATCH OUT FOR THOSE TRAM TRACKS!!!!!!

Things were going great for us until I hit one of the tracks and my wheel just fell in the groove of the track while flinging me to the hard ground. I wasn't seriously hurt and could still ride back to the car, but my ribs and shoulder keep screaming, so watch out for those. Have fun. SF is a great city.

[annie]

Hi Annie,

I found this sight by trying to find out info on riding in SF. I got a lot of needed info from the many people replying to your Question. My husband and I took our bikes and rode over the golden gate bridge and around SF. It was really cool. But I just wanted to add to the advice.

WATCH OUT FOR THOSE TRAM TRACKS!!!!!!

Things were going great for us until I hit one of the tracks and my wheel just fell in the groove of the track while flinging me to the hard ground. I wasn't seriously hurt and could still ride back to the car, but my ribs and shoulder keep screaming, so watch out for those. Have fun. SF is a great city.

I appreciate the advice. I will watch out for the tracks. I'm going to rent a bike from Blazing Saddles. They've got self-guided routes, too, so I hope I don't get lost.

Should I bring arm warmers? A jacket, too, for riding?

Annie

[Trek420]

Should I bring arm warmers? A jacket, too, for riding?

Annie

Dress in layers. If you don't like the weather here wait 5 minutes. We go from fog to sun to fog rain sun wind sun fog .... and back again. Then our wonderful micro climates. and go from sunny meadows to shady redwood grove to along an orchard back to mean city street and back to redwoods on a short ride. And wherever you are it's the opposite weather when you go to Marin.

It's one of many reasons I love it here.

My outfit is jersey, vest, arm skins....shorts of course Skins go up and down, vest up down or off ... that way I go from rain jacket to short sleeves as needed. Many here like the jackets where the sleeves are removable....