Friday, December 31, 2010

Click here to watch a short video of the ride

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Today, we meet up on  Miller Creek Rd in San Rafael for a New Year’s Eve ride. Water and restrooms  are available at the community park.

I’m leading the group out to do the Marshall Wall loop to close out the year and to ring in the coming New Year. This is one of my favorite routes in Marin; there’s something for everyone; flats, rollers, hill climbs, secluded roads and beautiful views of Tomales Bay. The ride is just about perfect, not too short and not too long. There’s even a lunch stop!

Michael’s plan for today does not include riding in the COLD, so he is our SAG and photographer for the day. His itinerary also includes a hot breakfast of pancakes, eggs & bacon at the Pine Cone Diner in Point Reyes Station whilst the group is busy pedaling along Lucas Valley to Nicasio and the Cheese Factory.

He spots us on the climb up Marshall Wall.

Michael also catches a rare sighting of GPC cyclists riding in a pace line; and all together at that! It looks pretty cool from a distance. We are heading south on Hwy 1 from Marshall to Point Reyes Station. We turn on Mesa Rd to take the back way to our lunch stop at the Bovine Bakery. The food of choice for many was a HUGE slice of pizza.

We continue on Pt Reyes-Petaluma Rd to Nicasio Valley Rd. There is a brief regroup in Nicasio.

We head up Lucas Valley Rd for the final climb up to Big Rock. The few sunken utility covers on the descent have been patched over and it’s nothing but fun all the way back to the cars.

Much thanks to everyone for coming out to join me on this ride! A BIG “THANKS” goes to Michael for taking all the pictures and putting the video together! What a great way to end the year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

12 people in attendance with 1 tandem.62 miles with 3498′ of elevation gain

Weather: COLD with overcast skies, but that’s okay, I’ll take that over rain any day! Quiet and calm on the climb up Marshall with south winds blowing along Hwy 1. Starting temp of 39, reaching a high of 46 in Nicasio and dropping down to 43 at the finish.

Year End Riding Stats: 10,634.20 miles with 673,335 of climbing

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>KEEP HAVING FUN!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>