Redwood Rollercoaster

Toothpick-tight singletrack, towering redwoods, sandstone rock gardens, and two knobby tires. Sound like the ingredients of a good thrill? Then get to the Peninsula's El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve (aka Skeggs Point) for some instant fat tire euphoria. Intermediate to advanced mountain bikers can weave through more than 30 miles of tasty terrain. For a solid 6-mile introduction, loop together Fir, Taffoni, Resolution, and Methuselah Trails. Swooshing singletrack, tight turns, and chapparal ridges thread through cool redwood canyons while green ferns whiz by. Look out for Mother Nature's obstacles: rocks, stumps, and roots keep things interesting. At Skeggs Point, the wild times are meant to roll.

From I-280, take Hwy. 92 west for a couple of miles. Turn south onto Skyline Blvd. (Hwy. 35) and go 9 miles. Go .25 mile south of the Skeggs Point vista parking lot to a small turnout and park. Pick up a map of the preserve at the kiosk. The vast network of trails can be overwhelming for first-timers. Ride north on the Sierra Morena Trail and make a left onto the Fir Trail. Go right on Tafoni Trail to get to El Corte de Madera Creek Trail; then turn left. Turn left again to ride up the Resolution Trail back to the Fir Trail. Ride back out the way you came, or take the Methuselah Trail back to your car.

Cheese Wheel

Road biking bliss meets epicurean indulgence on the classic Cheese Factory ride in west Marin. This 34-mile loop begins and ends at the Marin French Cheese Factory (the oldest cheese manufacturer in the country). The two-lane road rises, dips, and curves through Irish-green countryside, with some intensely quiet sections where cows and redtail hawks are more common than cars. Halfway through the ride you're guaranteed to hit a wall; "Marshall Wall" that is—a solid 2-mile climb cresting to a worth-the-sweat view of Tomales Bay and Point Reyes. From there the road descends to the shoreline cottages of Marshall, where riders can stop and refuel at the Marshall General Store. Catch a tailwind for 9 miles of fun dips along Highway 1 and the western shore of Tomales Bay before reaching Point Reyes Station. Take a detour through town and wind back to where you started. The Marin French Cheese Factory has sprawling grass picnic grounds, deli sandwiches, and, of course, artisan award-winning cheese. Bon appétit!

Start and finish the ride at the Marin French Cheese Factory (directions on their site). Go left (northeast) on Point Reyes-Petaluma Rd. for 1 mile. Make a left onto Hicks Valley Rd. and ride 3 miles. At Marshall-Petaluma Rd., turn left and go 11 miles to Hwy. 1 (aka Shoreline Hwy.). Turn left (south) and go just over 9 miles to Point Reyes-Petaluma Rd. and turn left (or head into the town of Point Reyes, which is another .3 mile and return the way you came). Go 3 miles to the Platform Bridge intersection and turn left; ride 6 miles on the busiest stretch of the route to your car.

Tilden Top-out

Tilden Regional Park is the flagship of the East Bay Park system, and now is the time to pedal along one of its true spring beauties, Nimitz Way Trail. Popular with walkers, baby-strollers, and dogs, this paved multi-use trail isn't a secret. But on a bike you'll lose the crowds within minutes and have the rolling ridgetop practically to yourself. Surroundings include spring green hills, blooming wildflowers, and views in all directions (to the west, San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge pop; to the east, peaks and valleys tug you away from urban life). Grab a bench and take in views of Mount Diablo and the nearby San Pablo Reservoir. When the pavement ends, flip it and double your pleasure. Cha-spring!

From Berkeley, take Grizzly Peak Blvd. to Wildcat Canyon Rd. and follow it all the way to the parking lot at Inspiration Point (map). Ride the Nimitz Way Trail north 4 miles to pavement's end.

San Francisco's Great Urban Race