Saturday, June 27, 2015

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This beautiful ride climbs up Fairfax Bolinas Rd to Pine Mountain before dropping down to Alpine Lake. Continue ascending through the redwoods to Ridgecrest Blvd and roll along the top of Bolinas Ridge to E Ridgecrest and onwards to Mt Tam East Peak. Descend Pan Toll and Panoramic to Stinson Beach for the flat stretch along Bolinas Lagoon on Hwy 1 N to Pt Reyes Station. Return to Fairfax via Pt Reyes Petaluma Rd to Nicasio Valley Rd and Sir Francis Drake Blvd.

Begin ride from Contratti Park parking lot in Fairfax.

Head SW on Bolinas Rd; it’s a narrow stretch of road that winds up 2.1 miles with gradient ranges of 6-9% through a residential neighborhood to the Meadow Club Golf Course.

The road name changes to Fairfax Bolinas Rd at the Mt Tamalpais Watershed sign. This quiet less traveled road continues to climb for 1.3 miles to Pine Mountain with an average grade of 5% before dropping down into the woods.

The road narrows and winds through the beautiful redwoods on rolling terrain out to Alpine Lake/Dam!

Enjoy the views!

Once you cross the dam, the climbing begins at the first hairpin turn and continues up a narrow road under the canopy of trees for the next 2.2 miles with an average grade of 7% and steep pitches of 10%. You’re near the top at Ridgecrest Blvd when you pass the third switchback up to the last bend. Take a moment at the top of the ridge and enjoy the towering redwoods!

The next 3.8 miles on W Ridgecrest Blvd takes you along the ridge with stunning views of the ocean and coastal mountains. Today it’s covered with a thick blanket of fog-it’s still a beautiful sight! The run along the ridge to Rock Springs and E Ridgecrest consists of a series of giant rolling climbs with gradient ranges of 9-13%-enjoy the ride!

E Ridgecrest Blvd up to the summit is 3 miles long with an average grade of 6% and one steep section with grades of 9-15%!

Mt Tam-enjoy the mountain top views!

To descend Mt Tam, you have to climb about 300 feet to the high point before dropping back down to the Rock Springs parking lot.

Descend Pan Toll Rd and Panoramic Hwy for the next 5 twisty miles to Stinson Beach.

Continue on CA-1 N for the next scenic 4.4 flat miles along Bolinas Bay and Bolinas Lagoon-enjoy the views!

CA-1 N leads to a steep 8-11% climb up through the eucalyptus forest to Horseshoe Hill and Dogtown.

The road levels out for a short bit before kicking up to another climb with 6-10% grades.

The rolling terrain for the next 6+ miles goes through Pt Reyes National Seashore pass the Five Brooks Ranch and the Stewart Horse Camp towards Olema.

Continue through Olema and cross the green bridge into Pt Reyes Station for a stop at the Bovine Bakery.

The short climb up CA-1 N leads out of Pt Reyes Station towards Pt Reyes Petaluma Rd.

Pt Reyes Petaluma Rd drops down along Nicasio Creek followed by a short climb up to Black Mountain Ranch. The road continues on gentle rolling flat terrain to the junction at the colored bridge.

Turn left and stay 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 to Nicasio Valley Rd.

The short rise on Nicasio Valley Rd takes you up and over into Nicasio with beautiful idyllic country valley scenes.

Nicasio Valley Rd runs SE towards the many large horse ranches and farms scattered throughout the valley; it’s 3.8 miles long with a very short steep climb through the woods followed by a longer 7% climb up Nicasio Hill.

The descent drops down onto Sir Francis Drake Blvd into San Geronimo. The flats on Sir Francis Drake Blvd takes you through the golf course and open grasslands for the short climb up the west side of White Hill.

Descend Sir Francis Drake Blvd into Fairfax and take Olema Rd back Broadway Blvd.

Bring your climbing legs-this gorgeous ride is front loaded with climbing, 3800′ within 19 miles! You’ll enjoy 40 miles of flat-rolling terrain from Stinson Beach to Pt Reyes Station and Nicasio! Be prepared for the Bay Area’s microclimate and bring layers.

Garmin Stats:
61 Miles with 5860′ of elevation gain
Max elevation: 2483′
Max grade: 15%
Terrain: Extremely hilly

Weather: Sunny inland with dense coastal fog. Temps ranged from the low 50’s to the high 70’s with brisk NE>SE>SW winds

View the interactive RGPS route map & profile

Follow this route for today’s ride: