The “Twin Cites” of Minneapolis and St. Paul have received a lot of attention since being cited by Bicycling magazine as the top cycling city this year. In Marin, the “Twin Cities” of Larkspur and Corte Madera share at least one common characteristic with their northern twins: abundant bike paths that foster a healthy cycling community. The Twin Cities are rich in cycling infrastructure like paths, bridges, and tunnels. Cyclists of every age and ability can ride car-free and care-free for miles to almost every destination. In this article I highlight the top five features that make our Twin …
I've wanted to visit McInnis Park and the adjacent Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District ponds since I first saw the sprawling parks on the Marin County Bicycle Coalition Map. The problem had been getting to the remote location north of China Camp in San Rafael. As my family and I prepared to visit the farmer's market at the Civic Center this Sunday it dawned on me to bring the bikes along for a post-grocery adventure! Today's ride is a tale of two parks. John F. McInnis Park is run by the county and features 450 acres with a myriad of free recreational activities such as multiple athletic …
Mountain biking to the top of Mount Tamalpais is always a satisfying ride. Whether you spin up the gradual Railroad Grade from Mill Valley or take the more challenging Eldridge Grade from Phoenix Lake in Ross, arriving at the top and soaking in the views makes you feel like you conquered a mountain. In this edition of Sunday Ride we will ascend Tam on one of my favorite trails, Eldridge Grade, and mix up the return with a detour to quaint Potrero Meadows and beautiful Lake Lagunitas. The total loop from Ross is slightly over 15 miles and the terrain is friendly fire-roads with the exception …
The undeniable popularity of bicycle tourism in San Francisco should not be a surprise. For recreational cyclists the ride along the waterfront and over the Golden Gate Bridge is a winning blend of scenic vistas, adventure, and the inability to get lost. As the wheels spin your surroundings transition from the hectic streets of the Fisherman's Wharf to the parks of the Marina District before passing high above the ocean into the natural landscapes of Marin. For most of the ride both vehicular traffic and hills can be avoided but there are a few inclines that will help you earn that post-ride …
The verdant valleys of Golden Gate National Recreation Area are a fantastic destination for a bike ride. The trails are gravel and can be conquered by anyone with basic bike skills and a sense of adventure. Rolling out from the Twin Cities to Mill Valley is always easier than I expect. The climb over Horse Hill on Meadowsweet Drive has a mellow grade and traffic is minimal. From downtown Larkspur it takes me about 15 minutes before I am coasting into Mill Valley. If the Alto Tunnel is built it would reconnect our bike path to the Mill Valley/Sausalito Bike Path. The passage south would be …
On this Sunday Ride we explore the rugged Bolinas Ridge Fire Road and the accommodating Cross Marin Trail/Bike Path in Samuel P. Taylor State Park. Although I describe a long and challenging ride, with a little creativity each segment could be ridden individually. The Cross Marin Trail/Bike Path makes an ideal location for a leisurely ride or a trip with the kids. The views from Bolinas Ridge as you approach Olema and Tomales Bay are outstanding, but getting there requires more than a few pedal strokes. We pickup from Phoenix Lake in Ross where climbing up Shaver Grade will warm up your legs…
Balance bikes (also known as walking, run, or push bikes) have become a regular sight at playgrounds and bike paths. After recent difficulty weening my nephew off training wheels I started to wonder if artificially propping up a bike was doing more harm than good. Could the balance bike be the key to unlocking every young child's cycling potential? The idea behind the balance bike is simple. Create a bike that sits low enough to be propelled Fred Flintstones style. It does not take long before kids discover that lifting the feet results in coasting and balancing. In contrast, training wheels …
In this edition of Sunday Rides we will explore an easy ride that is easily overlooked. The Southern Marin Line Fire Road snakes above Corte Madera and Larkspur in the Blithedale Summit Open Space Preserve. The fire-road is not paved but it is both wide and flat making it suitable for any rider or bike. Although Southern Marin Line varies little in elevation, the trail begins 500 steep feet above Corte Madera or Kent Woodlands. If you are driving, there is roadside parking on Crown Road off Woodlands Road, but I will describe the ascent from Corte Madera. At the intersection of Tamalpais …
Once marshes extended into much of Corte Madera and Larkspur. Now the remaining marsh along the San Francisco Bay is a a State Ecological Reserve. From within the confines of a car on Highway 101 or the adjacent Redwood Highway, this marsh might not look all that inviting. When you take time to explore the area you may be surprised by the views, vast array of birds and dirt paths that make this marsh a worthwhile destination. Getting to the marsh by bike will put a smile on your face without breaking a sweat. Thanks to our amazing bike paths you can ride to the Corte Madera Marsh without …
The Corte Madera Creek Path has two main parts. One section connects downtown Ross to Bon Air Road and the other emerges behind the Bon Air Shopping Center to Larkspur Landing. The portion upstream from Bon Air Road has been closed since Sept. 7 for work on a pipeline and recently reopened with wider and smoother concrete. Although the length of this path is only a few miles, its connection to numerous parks, paths and schools make it a vital link for trail users of all ages. Notable destinations along the path include Ross Elementary, College of Marin, Kent Middle School, Bacich Elementary, …
