Outside Magazine rates Northern California' Road Riding "..........nowhere beats Northern California for quality, variety, or sheer volume of road rides."

In 2015 we discovered great rides in Marin County and Lake Tahoe and will combine these with rides in Sonoma County and finish with Levi's Granfondo - the No the No 1 rated Granfondo in the USA

In Marin County we will ride loops based out of the Mill Valley Fairfax area up and along the West Ridge Blvd, into the Alpine Lakes and to the top of Mt. Tamalpais.

Moving inland we will discover the deep blue of the Sierras - Lake Tahoe and circumnavigate the lake from our base.  Back at the coast the riding will be once again along the skyline ridge tops of King ridge Road and the Pacfic Hiighway on the coast

In Somoma County
King Ridge Road
It may be in Sonoma, but King Ridge isn’t a leisurely wine-sipping route. Some of the world's top cycling teams make the pilgrimage to train on this narrow, snaking strip of pavement, which rolls through wildflower meadows and redwood stands and offers open views of the Pacific. The most popular century route starts outside of Santa Rosa and meanders into Occidental before turning north on the Cazadero Highway, tracing Austin Creek until it meets King Ridge. From there, the route plummets down to Highway 1, turning south and then east.

Geysers Road
The loop around Geysers Road—or simply “The Geysers,” as locals refer to it—is one of the best and most classic of all Sonoma County rides. It is very challenging and very remote, so it is recommended only for fit, self-sufficient riders. The climbs are at times very steep; it can be brutally hot in the warm season, and there is no source of water all around the back-country side of the loop. Plan accordingly.

While the ride becomes remote and a bit of a walk on the wild side later on, it begins quite tamely, with a run north from Geyserville along flat and rolling roads next to busy Hwy 101. The proximity to the freeway detracts slightly from the ambience along this section, but it is still nice riding through the vineyards at the north end of Alexander Valley, and with 99% of the traffic on the highway, our road will be nearly traffic-free.

King Ridge Road
It may be in Sonoma, but King Ridge isn’t a leisurely wine-sipping route. Some of the world's top cycling teams make the pilgrimage to train on this narrow, snaking strip of pavement, which rolls through wildflower meadows and redwood stands and offers open views of the Pacific. The most popular century route starts outside of Santa Rosa and meanders into Occidental before turning north on the Cazadero Highway, tracing Austin Creek until it meets King Ridge. From there, the route plummets down to Highway 1, turning south and then east.

Geysers Road
The loop around Geysers Road—or simply “The Geysers,” as locals refer to it—is one of the best and most classic of all Sonoma County rides. It is very challenging and very remote, so it is recommended only for fit, self-sufficient riders. The climbs are at times very steep; it can be brutally hot in the warm season, and there is no source of water all around the back-country side of the loop. Plan accordingly.

While the ride becomes remote and a bit of a walk on the wild side later on, it begins quite tamely, with a run north from Geyserville along flat and rolling roads next to busy Hwy 101. The proximity to the freeway detracts slightly from the ambience along this section, but it is still nice riding through the vineyards at the north end of Alexander Valley, and with 99% of the traffic on the highway, our road will be nearly traffic-free.

King Ridge Road
King Ridge Road is considered by many to be the crown jewel of North Bay cycling roads. Numerous articles have appeared in bike magazines extolling its charms. One writer called it “the land of dreams,” “the best ride ever,” and “God’s cycling theme park,” while another stated, “without a doubt, the most beautiful road I’ve ever ridden.” The praise seems a bit over the top.


Climbing on King Ridge begins just over two miles into the road with a moderate, one-mile ascent, followed by a mile of down, and then a really brutal climb of 1.3 miles, at which point there is a clear summit. A mile of easy, slightly uphill rollers leads to another very stiff climb of just under a mile. At this point, we’ve reached the real world of King Ridge, the part that everyone raves about.



Although there are several more significant climbs ahead, for the most part now, we’re riding along the ridgeline, with views off one side or the other. At one point, the road tiptoes along a spine of ridge just a few feet wider than the narrow road. There are panoramic views off both sides of the road at once: to the west, out over the far, blue Pacific, and to the east, spanning rank on rank of empty, serried hills. Sometimes we’re riding through woods of redwood, oak, and bay laurel, and sometimes we’re crossing open meadows of waving grass.

Every inch of this ride is beautiful, but up on the ridgeline, the vistas are so stunning, so transcendent, even the most hardened hammerheads slow down and gaze in awe. This is it: purest bike heaven. This is why we ride.

In addition to all the buffed-out climbing one does on King Ridge, there are also a number of exciting descents, 1500’ of twisting, slinky fun.



Thanks to Santa Rosa Cycling Club for the description

Mount Tamalpais and the Alpine Lakes
Ride W. Ridgecrest along the Marin spine separating the ocean from the rest of Marin.  From here to the Tamalpais summit is one of the scenic high points of your cycling career.  Take your time, stopping often to drink it all in.   You’re riding a ridge road, so there are views on both sides, and it’s all big rollers, so you’ll do more climbing than you expect

Ridgecrest Blvd.
At the Y at the unmissable intersection/parking lot, which is called Rock Springs (there is an unobtrusive sign), go L onto East Ridgecrest Blvd. and ride to East Peak, the end of the road and the summit of Mt. Tam.  Don’t skip this leg because you’re tired.  The climb up East Ridgecrest is really pretty mellow (one short moderately challenging pitch coming and going), and the views from East Peak memorable.  As you climb, the views of Marin, San Francisco, and the coast to the south are ever-changing and magical.

Near the summit the view extends to San Francisco, Marin, and Angel Island.  Take time to let what you’re seeing sink in.  It’s one of the best views on earth.

You are now about to begin one of the great descents on the west coast—11 miles of mostly uninterrupted, glassy-smooth, perfectly slalomed and banked curves, sweet 20-35-mph stuff. 

Sample Itinerary
18th Sept  Fly San Fransisco

Stay Sausalito / Mill Valley area / Fairfax Area

Day 1 19th Sept
San Rafael and SF City riding  68km

Day 2 20th Sept
through the Marin Headlands
Sausalito - Bolinas - Alpine Lakes (ride no 4 76km)

Day 3 21st Sept
Tiburon - Mill Valley - Mt Tamalpais (ride no 6 100km)

Day 4 22nd Sept

San Rafael - Pt Reynes Station (ride no 3 130km)

Day 5  23rd Sept
Muir Woods riding

Day 6  24th Sept
Drive to tahoe

Day 7 25th Sept
Ride around the Lake Tahoe

Day 8 26th Sept
Ride around the Lake Tahoe

Day 9 27th Sept
Ride in Santa Rosa area on course

Day 10 28th Sept
Ride in santa rosa area on course

Day 11 29th Sept
Ride in santa rosa area on course

Day 12 30th Sept
Levi’s GrandoFondo

Day 13 1st Oct
Depart for Home