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10.15.09

Ridge Rambles

With the shift in seasons it’s time to switch gears and bike to new heights. These three ridge rambles offer great views of autumn’s entrance. Cool ridings!  

Skyline Blvd. Bike Ride

Reach for the Skyline

Caution: Sweeping views of Bay icons (the San Francisco skyline, Alcatraz and Golden Gate Bridge) make it hard to keep your eyes on the road for this scenic East Bay pedal in the hills. The moderate 29-mile road loop is enjoyable for first-timers and roadie warhorses alike: The climbs aren't too long and car traffic is surprisingly sparse. Start in small-town Orinda and cruise south, passing under crisp yellow and orange foliage fit for the fall season. Soon you'll be rolling along a quiet backcountry road bordering Redwood Regional Park. The first big Bay views come after climbing along Skyline Boulevard. Things keep looking up from there: The views stick with you as you cruise atop the ridge of Skyline and Grizzly Peak Road through Tilden Regional Park. Inspiration Point is the last chance for reveling in the view before descending back to Orinda. Whoop-de-loop!

Park in downtown Orinda where there's loads of (gasp!) non-metered parking spots and no weekend time limits. Go south on Moraga Way for 4.5 miles. At Canyon Rd. in Moraga, go right. Continue for 2 miles; at Pinehurst, go left. Stay on Pinehurst for 3 miles, then go right on Redwood Rd. Continue on Redwood for 2.4 miles. Turn right onto Skyline Blvd. After .5 mile, go right to stay on Skyline near Joaquin Miller Park. Stay on Skyline for another 5.2 miles. At Grizzly Peak Rd., go right. Continue on Grizzly Peak for 3.8 miles. Just past the Tilden Park steam trains, go right onto South Park Rd. for 1.5 miles. Turn right on Wildcat Canyon Rd. and go 3.5 miles–passing Inspiration Point. At Camino Pablo Rd., turn right and go 2 miles into downtown Orinda.

Activity
Bike
Region
East Bay
Saratoga Gap Bike Ride

Gap it Up

Yodeling, whooping, yipping…they're all appropriate when mountain biking through some seriously fun singletrack in the South Bay's Saratoga Gap. The area is a beacon for bikers of all abilities, offering loads of options. The route we like is a 10-mile partial loop that's great for intermediate mountain bikers. This high-flying ride zips across ridge tops and opens to views of the Santa Cruz Mountains all the way to the Pacific. For a pedal-power mashup, combine Saratoga Gap and Long Ridge Open Space: You'll dart across exposed golden-brown hilltops before coasting through quiet redwood forests. Beginners might be intimidated by some of the initial root and rock sections (hike-a-bike is always an option!), but it's the type of ride that raises your abilities—and bragging rights—to the next level. Big wheels keep on turning….

TIP: Would you like to see a ridge top trail that encircles the entire Bay? The Bay Area Ridge Trail Council would! Check out its Web site to learn more about developing a 550-mile trail for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians.

Check the Long Ridge Open Space Preserve Web site for information on trail closures in the rainy season. Park at the Saratoga Gap vista point at the corner of Hwy. 9 (Big Basin Way) and Hwy 35 (Skyline Blvd.). Start on the Saratoga Gap Trail on the north side of Hwy 9. After 2 miles cross Hwy. 35 and pick up Hickory Oaks Trail. After .25 mile, turn left to follow the singletrack--it veers back onto the fire road after .25 mile. At 3 miles in, go right at the fork with Ward Rd. to stay on the trail to Long Ridge Rd. Continue on Long Ridge as it merges with Ward. You'll pass two intersections to Peters Creek Trail, then turn right on the third intersection. (Notice Peters Creek Trail on the right, this is where the partial loop will drop you off.) At 3.7 miles in, Long Ridge becomes a nice singletrack descent. At 4.5 miles in, you'll cross the second Peters Creek Trail intersection; keep going straight on Long Ridge. At. 5.2 miles in, go right to get onto Peters Creek Trail. This takes you back up to Long Ridge where you return the way you came.

Activity
Bike
Region
Peninsula & South Bay
Bolinas Ridge Trail in Marin

Range Rover

If your idea of good mountain biking is pedaling along a wide dirt road with hilly terrain and clear views across the western Marin hillsides, then Bolinas Ridge is the ride for you. You won't find swooping singletrack here; just a good, fun roll through up-and-down open space south of Point Reyes. The Bolinas Ridge Trail beckons for miles, leaving the option of making this out-and-back ride as long as you'd like. For a solid two-to-three-hour ride, start at the Sir Francis Drake Boulevard trailhead and go for 6.2 miles (one-way) to Randall Trail. Coast over golden-brown grassland, enjoying ridgetop views of Tomales Bay and Point Reyes. Along the way you'll pass multiple ranch gates, good places for a break. At Randall Trail flip it and return the way you came--or keep the ramble going until you're ready to head back. Easy does it.

Park at the Bolinas Ridge pullout on Sir Francis Drake Blvd., 1 mile east of the Hwy 1 junction in Olema. Ride out and back on the Bolinas Ridge Trail.

Activity
Bike
Region
North Bay

Life in the Fit Lane

Is working out at your current gym about as enjoyable as rush hour traffic? Loads of people waiting for machines, bumper-to-bumper treadmills… you know the routine. Time to check out the autobahn of health clubs–San Francisco's The Sports Club/LA. Move easily from top-of-the-line workout machines to private or group classes—including yoga, Pilates, and step and sculpt. Sound good? You're in luck. The Sports Club/LA is giving Weekend Sherpa subscribers a complimentary five-day pass. Feel what it's like to enjoy the gym again: sweat it out at a kickboxing class, swim laps in the Olympic-sized pool, shoot hoops in the full-sized basketball court, and learn the sculpting power of weight training. After your workout, relax at the refreshment bar. Ready for life in the fit lane? Get your complimentary five-day pass. If you like what you see, get your initiation fee waived in October.

TIP: Join The Sports Club/LA for a Peak Performance weekend. You don't have to be a member to participate in this weekend of wellness workshop. Weekend Sherpa subscribers are invited to attend one or two of these special mind-and-body classes with core conditioning, mind-focusing breathing techniques, and silent meditation. The classes are Friday, Oct. 23, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 24, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. For Weekend Sherpa subscribers it's only $35 to attend one or both classes. RSVP here.

The complimentary five-day pass is for Weekend Sherpa subscribers and must be activated by Oct. 27, 2009. When you join the club with its Health Gold membership by the end of October 2009, your initiation fee will be waived. Reserve your spot for the Peak Performance classes.

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