You've just made it up Divisadero in second gear and you're feeling pretty damn proud of yourself, but wouldn't it be nice to actually put some dirt on those mountain bike tires? But where can you go mountain biking around the city? Believe it or not, there are a number of trails available to us in the area. From easy flat trails to challenging mountain trails, all the terrain you could want is here. And, there are dozens of bicycle shops throughout the city and more popping up every time you look.
Just over the Golden Gate Bridge awaits paths buried amid the green rolling hills of the Marin Headlands.
Making a left off the Golden Gate Bridge toward Sausalito presents the most challenging leg of the ride. McCullough road takes a winding ascent that reaches higher than the top of the bridge in approximately one mile. As menacing as this route may seem, the adventurous cyclist will be rewarded at the top with an unbeatable view of San Francisco. A few hundred feet from the top of the mountain, the coastal trail head will come up on the right.
The trail is wide and noticeably hard, but donŐt worry, the trail is an easy downgrade. The clean atmosphere may beg you to stop awhile and enjoy the valley view before continuing onto the coast.
Heading directly south towards Half Moon Bay, there lie trails suited for the heartiest appetites.
SkeggŐs Point is hidden in the Half Moon Bay woods off Highway 92. Its only advertisement is a small turnout and a wooden barrier on the side of the road. It's about two miles past the Skegg's Point lookout.
The trail covers three kinds of terrain from soft, leaf-covered dirt and hard gravel to solid rock in a span of three miles.
Try to get there in the early morning, preferably on a weekday. This will reduce the risk of running over any hikers. Also, the morning fog and damp air chilling your lungs adds to the ambiance of the ride.
Start on the left side of the trail by the trees. Over a small hill lies the first downhill run over moist black dirt and eucalyptus leaves.
Falling during this first section isnŐt so bad. But as you come to the more solid parts of trail, it will become apparent why a helmet is necessary. The whole ride can be finished in an hour and a half-two if it is taken slowly.
For those of you who donŐt want to travel out of the city, Golden Gate Park may be for you. It is a popular spot for many bikers as the park is closed down from John F. Kennedy Drive, at the tip of the Haight, all the way down to 36th Avenue. Another closed road leads to the Great Highway along the beach. However, there are trails to ride in the park where you can avoid the joggers and rollerbladers. A rule of thumb to finding the trails is to find the bike routes and go about 40 yards inward toward the pine trees.
Beware-Golden Gate trails are often broken up by streets and ill-maintained landscape. Also, try to avoid the broken glass and homeless people.
There are hundreds of trails in the Bay Area just waiting to be torn up. This is just the beginning. DonŐt subject yourself to the dangers of the city streets for a little exercise. Potholes and broken concrete make a poor substitute for natural terrain. Explore the trails and find the Bay Area's hidden beauty.
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