2019 Rides:

Saturday, September 7, 2019

Fall Fun Series Ride #1:  C-D/2(3000)/55 FFS #1: Pt Reyes Station Bovine Lasso.  Ride to the Bakery. Mill Valley, Fairfax, Nicasio to Pt Reyes Station for a food stop at mile 30.   Return over Olema hill. Features a beautiful descent through the Redwoods of Samuel Taylor State Park.   The easiest ride in the series with the best (a four-way tie) food.  Route: Bovine Lasso 

Ride Start: Mill Valley at the Mill Valley Shopping Center.   1 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA 94941. DO NOT PARK IN THE LOT.   There is plenty of on-street parking in the area.  CD Group: 9:30 AM Start.  Ride Leader: Robert Sexton (robert@kudra.com) (408) 218-8466

This classic and popular Marin route starts in Mill Valley, and then climbs the Mt Eden of the North: Camino Alto.   From there it wiggles its way north through Larkspur, Ross, San Anselmo, and Fairfax. Then over Whites Hill to Nicasio and Pt Reyes Station for lunch.   Faster riders can stop at Emporio Rulli in Larkspur for a traditional double-espresso before reeling in the group as it threads its way north. Popular lunch options: Bovine Bakery, Cowgirl Creamery, or pick up a sandwich at the Pt Reyes Market.   There are many options, possibly even street food. This ride features several lovely sections though redwood forests and some friendly descents as well as moderately challenging climbs.

Special instructions:  The ride travels out to the coast.   Be prepared for sunny and foggy weather on the same ride.    The ‘Wiggle’ north and south can be confusing. Be sure and take a cue sheet, use a GPS, or stick with somebody who knows the way.  This is a popular area for cycling, and the local police pay attention. Driving time from the south bay can vary with traffic. Cheese-o-philes should bring a musette bag or suitable luggage to carry home their purchases.  

Saturday, September 21, 2019

C-D/3(3000)/41  Fall Fun Series Ride #2:  Palomares and Norris Canyon.  Palomares - a friendly, pretty fall climb, past wineries and ranches.  There are nice views from the summit, and a fun, mostly straight descent all the way to Castro Valley.    From there we’ll head up two smaller climbs - Crow Canyon and Norris Canyon. Then onto the Iron Horse Trail before a food stop at mile 30.   Return via Pleasanton and back via a tree-lined route back to the start in Sunol. Riders can finish off the ride with a pleasant climb up Kilcare (+8 miles, 700 feet).  Food Briefing: This route includes a real food stop at Danicas. Portions are large. Consider splitting with a friend.

Updated Route for 2019:  FFS19-Palomares  Readings: Sunol_Water_Temple,  Niles_Canyon  

Ride Start: Sunol Glen Elementary School 11601 Main St.  Sunol, CA 94586.  C/D Group: 9:00 AM Start.  Ride Leader: Robert Sexton (robert@kudra.com) (408) 218-8466

Saturday October 5, 2019

C-D/4.5(5300)/47  Fall Fun Series Ride #3: Mount Hamilton. Join us Saturday for Fall Fun Series ride #3: Mt Hamilton.   This classic Bay-area climb features great views of the south bay and reasonable grades.  The ride starts in Milpitas, and then goes through Alum Rock Park before heading up the mountain.   Water and restrooms are available at Joseph Grant County park, approximately 13 miles and 1500 feet into the ride.   Water and vending machine snacks are available at the summit, and there is a picnic area available for riders who bring a lunch.   There will be a Lick Observatory docent talk at 12:30. 

This is a mountain.  Be prepared for wide variations in temperature, and always carry enough water to get to your next refueling stop.

Route: LDTMTH-BC-Mt. Hamilton LDT

Ride Start:  Cataldi Park Tennis Courts, 2943 Cataldi Dr, San Jose, CA 95132.  C/D Group: 9:00 AM Start.  Ride Leader: Robert Sexton (robert@kudra.com) (408) 218-8466

Saturday October 19, 2019

C-D/3(4800)/61 Fall Fun Series Ride #4: Corralitos and Eureka Canyon.  Ride to eat, eat to ride. Eureka Canyon is beautiful and the cooler at this time of year.   Coffee stop in Aptos, Lunch stop at the Corralitos Sausage Company. Features two memorable swoopy descents.

This classic route starts at Lexington Reservoir, then climbs up to Summit road and then down a long, gentle descent to Soquel for a coffee stop at Gayle’s Bakery.  From there, the route heads inland to Corralitos (mile 34) for a refueling stop before heading into the redwoods and up Eureka Canyon. This is a fall/spring ride, because sections of Eureka canyon are exposed and can be hot in the summer months.  Be prepared for cool temperatures at the coast, and keep an eye out for whales.

Route: Old Santa Cruz - Eureka Canyon

Ride Start: Lexington Dam (17201 Alma Bridge Road, Los Gatos, CA). Take Hwy 17 Southbound, exit at Bear Creek Road, cross over the freeway and get back on Hwy 17 Northbound, immediately exiting at Alma Bridge Road. Park at gravel parking area on dam. Rest rooms are available just past the dam on the right.  C/D Group: 9:00 AM Start: Ride Leader: RobertSexton (robert@kudra.com) (408) 218-8466

Saturday November 9, 2019

CD/4.7(5500)/47 FFS: Mount Tam. This ride starts in Mill Valley, and then heads up and over to Muir Beach before a fun sweeping descent into Stinson Beach.  Bring a camera. From there we’ll climb Mt Tam before descending into Fairfax for a proper food stop at the Gestalt Haus. Then we’ll wiggle our way back to Mill Valley through Ross, San Anselmo, and Larkspur before descending Camino Alto to the start.   The wiggle can be confusing - take a cue sheet or follow someone who knows the way. Weather on the coastal side may be cool. Bring suitable clothing. Meet at the Mill Valley Shopping Center ( 1 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA 94941) at 8:45 for a 9:00 am start.  There will be donuts.  

Special considerations:  Do not park in the shopping center lot. There is plenty of on-street parking in the area. Paper cue sheets will not be provided. Route and Cue Sheet here: FFS - Mount Tam  Questions?  Robert Sexton  (408) 218-8466    (robert@kudra.com)

2018 Rides:

Mt Ununhum.   A challenging climb with a rewarding view.   Starts at the Los Gatos park and ride.  Limited Facilities.  45 miles, 5200ft.  Route: FFS18 Mt Um 

Mt Hamilton.   Traditional LDT-C Route starting in Milpitas.   Limited Facilities.   47 miles, 5300ft.  Route: Mt Ham LDT C Route

Devils Slide.   Start in Woodside, North to Pacifica via the always fun Sharp Park descent, return via Half Moon bay and Tunitas Creek Road/Kings.  Half Moon bay lunch stop.  Optional Mixed-terrain version with return via the Purissima Creek Trail.  60 miles, 4800ft.  Route: FFS18 Devils Slide 

Pt Reyes Station Bovine Lasso.  Ride to the Bakery.  Mill Valley, Fairfax, Nicasio to Pt Reyes Station for a food stop at mile 30.   Return over Olema hill.   Features a beautiful descent through the Redwoods of Samuel Taylor State Park.   The easiest ride in the series with the best food.  56 miles, 3100ft.  Route: FFS18-Bovine Lasso

Corralitos and Eureka Canyon - Eureka Canyon is beautiful and the cooler at this time of year.   Coffee stop in Aptos, Lunch stop at the Corralitos Sausage Company.   Features two memorable swoopy descents.  60 miles, 4800ft.  Route: Old Santa Cruz and Eureka Canyon 

Palomares and Norris Canyon.   Climb Palomares, then over Norris Canyon to Dublin for an awesome food stop at Denicas.  Finishes up with a pleasant out and back climb on Kilcare road.   Sunol Start.  50 miles, 3100 ft. (max).  Route: FFS18-Palomares  

Mt Tam.   A day on the coast and mountains that ends at the Gestalt Haus for bikes, brats and beer.  Includes a fun decent on the coast to Stinson beach (coffee), followed by a ascent of Tam and a pretty ride to Fairfax along Alpine Lake.  47 miles, 5300ft.  Route:  FFS18-MtTam