Sunday, March 22, 2015
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This ride goes through the Central Marin redwoods from Lucas Valley out to Nicasio and Point Reyes Station. Continue along Bear Valley and up Olema Hill to the top of Bolinas Ridge. Return on Platform Bridge Rd and reverse the way back to Lucas Valley from Pt Reyes Petaluma Rd and Niccasio Valley.
Head west for a nice warm-up for the first few miles on Lucas Valley Rd.
The road gradually leads to the climb up to the summit at Big Rock; it’s one mile long with an average grade of 7.2%.
Lucas Valley descends into the valley through the beautiful towering redwoods out to the ranches and grasslands around Nicasio Valley.
Turn right on Nicasio Valley Rd to Nicasio Square.
Nicasio Valley Rd takes you along Nicasio Reservoir to Pt Reyes Petaluma Rd.
Turn left and head west on Pt Reyes Petaluma Rd for the scenic flat miles around Nicasio Reservoir with views of the surrounding rolling hills.
At the colored bridge, turn right to stay on Pt Reyes Petaluma Rd for the next 3.2 miles; the rolling terrain follows the curvatures of Lagunitas Creek to the Hwy 1 junction into Pt Reyes Station.
Turn left and head south on Hwy 1 for a lunch stop at the Bovine Bakery in Point Reyes Station/Town Commons. We spot Fast Freddie Rodriguez with a group of cyclists.
The post lunch route does a 3 mile loop out from Sir Francis Drake Blvd to Bear Valley Rd. The terrain is pretty flat with one very short bump up and over towards the Pt Reyes Bear Valley Visitor Center. It’s a quiet road with minimal traffic and views of the Olema marshes.
The right turn onto Hwy 1 leads to the climb up Sir Francis Drake Blvd aka Olema Hill; it’s about a mile long with gradient ranges of 4-7%. Slow down on the descent-it’s very easy to miss the turn at the bottom of the hill onto Platform Bridge Rd!
The rolling terrain on Platform Bridge Rd leads back to Pt Reyes Petaluma Rd.
Go straight and continue on Pt Reyes Petaluma Rd for the spillway climb up to the reservoir; it’s 0.5 mile with an average grade of 5%.
The flat miles along the Nicasio Reservoir leads back to Nicasio Valley Rd. The surrounding views are absolutely splendid!
The short rise on Nicasio Valley Rd takes you up and over into Nicasio with beautiful idyllic country valley scenes.
Continue on Nicasio Valley Rd to Lucas Valley Rd.
The flat-rolling terrain on Lucas Valley Rd returns through the gorgeous redwood forest into the valley.
The terrain kicks up slightly for the gentle climbs up to Big Rock summit.
The descent from Big Rock on Lucas Valley Rd is fairly technical with several very sharp left hand turns with decreasing radius-use caution! The ride finishes off with a fun flat stretch through the valley back to Miller Creek Rd.
This ride takes you through the redwoods and out along Nicasio Reservoir to Pt Reyes Station. You’ll enjoy the quiet country back roads and the wonderful views of the green rolling hills around Marin!
Garmin Stats
44 Miles with 2080′ of elevation gain
Max elevation: 643′
Max grade: 9%
Terrain: Flat-rolling with a few low hills
Weather: Overcast skies with light morning sprinkles > afternoon sun. Temps ranged from the low 50’s to the low 70’s with SW winds.
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Follow this route for today’s ride:
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