Ducati Monster Forum

9 am at Golden Gate Bridge. Ride across the bridge and into the Marin Headlands.

The route:  28 miles +/-  Approximately 3 hours (depending on size of group)
Cross bridge and climb up Conzelman Rd. to McCullough Rd. junction.
Drop down Coastal trail, cross Bunker Rd. and into the headlands trail network.
Bobcat Trail to Alta Trail.
Alta to Oakwood trail.
Oakwood dumps out on to Tennessee Valley Rd.
Take TVR to the Miwok Stables.
Old Springs Trail to Miwok Trail, back to the junction with Bobcat.
Cross Bunker again, back up Coastal, down Conzelman to the bridge and home.

90% of the headlands trails are open fire road. There is a fairly technical section in this loop, comprised of a long stretch of rutted/trenched off camber, with some good sized water bars about as high as a curb.  Otherwise, it's mainly lots of steady paced climbing, and some really good descending on the main trails. [thumbsup]

Honestly, the most dangerous part of this ride is dodging the @#*!!!!! tourists on the bridge as you ride back to the city. [bang]

There's also variation off of Conzelman Rd. that can be done, but it depends on weather conditions... fog is essential to doing this trail (see also: if you can see the ranger, then he can see you).

This ride can also be switched to Sunday if it works better for others.

Who's in?

Route map: http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Headlands-Grind (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Headlands-Grind)

This is a good ride!  [thumbsup] If memory serves, I like some of the routing.  [evil]

I'm 50-50. Considering your riding history and myself getting beat up climbing hills I'm afraid I'd slow you down. Especially because I haven't ridden in a while since I discovered I can go 60+ miles on a motorcycle instead of 15-20 on a challenging mountain bike trail!  ;D

Tourists shouldn't be as bad on the weekend either since the bike-only side of the bridge is open.

Where at the bridge to meet? I usually park at the big lot down the hill from there along the water.

No worries on climbing fast. I'm on a 38 pound dually, with really slack head and seat angles. It climbs about as well as an inebriated crab trying to do the ramba. [puke] [laugh] It's not that bad, but it's work. Stable Platform Valving is a wonderful thing! [thumbsup]

Unfortunately....

It looks like the ride may get pushed to Sunday. [bang] M's got to make up a day at work (at her 9-5er), and her business partner (her own company) is coming over here to work on some of their stuff. Plus, a coworker of theirs is dropping off her moto to be worked on while she's out at BRC. I'm gonna need to be here in the morning.

I usually park up on the corner lot, just SW of the bridge and old bunkers, at the 4 way stop on the edge of the Presidio. It's right next to the old army barracks and the ball fields.

Is Mt.B. riding theraputic for your back injury?

The position the spine is in, when leaned over the bars, helps to unload the disks. I've softened up the suspension on the bike, and I'm mainly just doing open non-technical trails.

Besides, it can't be any worse than riding my CX bike through the city (i.e. no suspension, aggressive position, San Francisco's finest pavement and drivers).

As long as I pay attention to my body, and don't stupidly push myself, I'm alright. My PT even recommended riding since it helps to lengthen and unload the spine. Most of the trouble was peripheral nerve damage. But it's eased to the point where I can resume some activities, and cycling is one of them.

Have a good ride!  [thumbsup]

I won't make it I'm afraid.

Happy Trails!  ;D