Ride around SF Bay - route suggestions?

[ScottRNelson]

[I posted this initially on South Bay Riders, but thought I might get some different suggestions here.  If any of you want to make this a Monster event, that would be great too.]

An acquaintance on another forum who lives on the other end of the country recently rode around Chesapeake Bay.  That got me to thinking that I have never ridden around San Francisco Bay, and it would be a completely reasonable day trip.  I would do it clockwise, of course, to avoid the bridge tolls.

It isn't too hard for me to come up with an interesting route from Pleasanton through San Francisco, but I'm pretty much stuck on major highways for the other half of the trip.

Here is an initial rough route.  I would like the total trip to be under 250 miles and this is 186.

http://tinyurl.com/BayLoop

Any suggestions for alternate roads in the North Bay that don't go too far out of the way?
For that matter, any suggestions on other roads in the east and south?

Anybody want to go along when I finally do this on a Saturday in May?

[somegirl]

Instead of 92, take 84 and Pescadero out to 1 and stop by our house.

I would definitely recommend taking 84 rather than 92 from 35 to 1.  92 gets clogged up with weekend traffic especially if the weather is nice.

South bay route looks good to me.

[Desmostro]

Instead of 92, take 84 and Pescadero out to 1 and stop by our house.

I would definitely recommend taking 84 rather than 92 from 35 to 1.  92 gets clogged up with weekend traffic especially if the weather is nice.

South bay route looks good to me.

+1 on South bay.

Fixed 

http://tinyurl.com/c6l8h7

You werwe missing some of the best riding known to man in the north bay.  [moto]

[somegirl]

Fixed 

http://tinyurl.com/c6l8h7

Looks much better.

[Desmostro]

There are some beautiful rides in the East bay as well, but don't ask me.

[Desmostro]

BTW, are you doing that in one ride?

Post up if you do, that would be an interesting day.

[ScottRNelson]

I'm still working on the route, but am tentatively expecting to make the ride on May 16th.

I haven't exactly issued a general invitation to this ride.  One guy that I have taken many long rides with "volunteered" to go and will definitely be included.  We've probably ridden about 2000 mlies together and know exactly what to expect from the other rider in all situations.

I don't want a large group (not more than six) and would prefer to ride only with very experienced riders.  People that I don't have to worry about being able to get around slow drivers in the tight stuff and who have no problem riding 250 miles of twisties in a day.

I'm not trying to discourage anyone, but you'll have to convince me if any of you want to come along.

I'm pretty sure that we'll be starting in Pleasanton or Sunol, although I have no problem connecting with others along the route.

[ScottRNelson]

Okay, this is the Google Maps route that I have so far for the Around The Bay ride on Saturday, May 16.  I'm happy with all of it except the North Bay section.  I'm still open to suggestions of alternate routes once I cross the Golden Gate Bridge until I cross the Carquinez Bridge back to Contra Costa County.  Alternate routes should not increase total miles by more than 15 miles or so.  In other words, I'm not looking to run all over the back roads of Marin County, just a more interesting route (that isn't too likely to get me lost).



Thanks for any suggestions.

Currently there are three of us planning to do this ride.  If any of you really want to come along, please contact me by e-mail or PM.

[Michael Moore]

That isn't a bad route through Marin, but on a weekend you might just be caught in a bunch of traffic. Plan B would be to take 101 up to San Rafael and then take Lucas Valley Rd out to Nicasio. It's a nice road and you're not chugging through a lot of suburban towns like in your original route.

Just watch for cops on 101. They love coming out on weekends with their shiny new LIDAR guns.

[ScottRNelson]

That isn't a bad route through Marin, but on a weekend you might just be caught in a bunch of traffic. Plan B would be to take 101 up to San Rafael and then take Lucas Valley Rd out to Nicasio. It's a nice road and you're not chugging through a lot of suburban towns like in your original route.

Just watch for cops on 101. They love coming out on weekends with their shiny new LIDAR guns.

Thanks for the alternate route suggestion.  That's clearly a better way to get to the interesting roads in Marin without going too far out of the way.

Here's my updated route, for reference: