Friday, September 4, 2015
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This route heads west on Lucas Valley Rd from Marinwood for a loop around West Marin. Ride along Nicasio Valley and roll through the gorgeous redwoods around SP Taylor Park on Sir Francis Drake Blvd before climbing up Olema Hill. Head north from Olema to Bear Valley Rd and Hwy 1 N for a stop at Pt Reyes Station. Return east on Pt Reyes Petaluma Rd and ride around Nicasio Reservoir to Nicasio Valley Rd and Lucas Valley.
Lucas Valley begins on flat to tolling terrain for the first 3.5 miles along the valley floor.
At mile point 3.6, the road tilts up for the climb up to the Big Rock summit; it’s one mile long with an average grade of 7.2%.
Lucas Valley drops down into the valley through the gorgeous redwoods to the ranches and grasslands of West Marin.
Turn left and head south on Nicasio Valley Rd through a horse ranching community with open training arenas, paddocks and stables.
The flat rolling terrain goes underneath the dense woodlands and leads back out to the valley ranches.
Short climb up to the summit at Dixon Ridge; it’s 0.4 mile with an average grade of 8%.
The descent on Nicasio Valley Rd drops down under the shade of the woodlands surrounding Roy’s Redwoods to the golfing greens at San Geronimo.
Turn right and head west on Sir Francis Drake Blvd; the flat terrain rolls by the small communities of San Geronimo, Forest Knolls and Lagunitas.
The road continues on fabulous smooth pavement though the gorgeous towering redwoods towards Camp Taylor at SP Taylor State Park.
The beautiful gentle rolling miles continues under the shaded woodlands before emerging out from towards the open grasslands and ranches near Platform Bridge Rd.
Go straight for the climb up Olema Hill; it’s 0.8 mile with an average grade of 7.4% to the summit at Bolinas Ridge.
The road quickly descends through the Golden Gate Nat’l Recreation Area onto CA-1 N to Olema with fantastic views of the dense forests and open ridge top!
A short jog on CA-1 N leads to Bear Valley Rd; this back road runs along the east edge of Pt Reyes National Seashore with views of the low marshlands and wooded greens.
At the Y intersection, turn right onto Sir Francis Drake Blvd and take CA-1 N into Pt Reyes Station.
The short climb up CA-1 N leads you out of town to Pt Reyes Petaluma Rd. Pt Reyes Petaluma Rd winds along the north edge of Golden Gate Nat’l Recreation Area and the south base of Black Mountain; it gently follows the curvatures of Lagunitas Creek. The terrain is mostly flat with one short pitch up to Black Mountain Ranch.
At the colored bridge, continue NE on Pt Reyes Petaluma Rd to the Spillway climb; it’s 0.5 mile with an average grade of 5%.
Pt Reyes Petaluma Rd flattens out at the top at Nicasio Dam. The road goes around the reservoir with great views of the blue waters and golden hills.
The flat terrain on Nicasio Valley Rd rolls around the reservoir to Nicasio.
Return on Lucas Valley Rd under the beautiful redwoods…
The rolling terrain leads to the mile long climb up to Big Rock summit with an average grade of 3.7%.
The descent from Big Rock on Lucas Valley Rd requires much caution; there are several very sharp left hand turns with decreasing radius! The run down Lucas Valley Rd finishes off with a fun flat stretch back to Miller Creek Rd.
This is a fabulous loop around the scenic back country roads of west Marin! You’ll surely enjoy the smooth stretch of road on Sir Francis Drake Blvd as you roll underneath the beautiful redwoods from Lagunitas out to Platform Bridge Rd!
Garmin Stats:
46.78 Miles with 2536′ of elevation gain
Max elevation: 602′
Max grade: 9%
Terrain: A few low hills
Weather: Sunny, warm and breezy. Temps ranged from the low 50’s to the mid 70’s with NW winds.
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