@Stéphane: Seriously, I might have to get a tandem to keep it off the ground.

@Stokes: Will do, thanks for the tip.

Ride across the GG Bridge through Marin. Then do Alpine Dam. Then up through the Seven Sisters, over the shoulder of Mt. Tam. Then head back into the city. That's about 55 miles, depending on the specifics. I'll look around for a good map online, but everyone in SF who rides knows that one.

If you want a longer ride, head up to Pt. Reyes Station and back. That's around 85 miles.

Jeff W: How much climbing is that?

I think I've done both rides. The first in the rain, the second in the sun. Even in the rain, even when I was woefully underdressed, I enjoyed the ride. First the cloud-shrouded ascent up Tam and then the corkscrew descent to Fairfax. As for Pt. Reyes, I did that, then in to fairfax and around to Mill Valley.

Here's a map
http://mappery.com/map-of/Alpine-Dam-Seven-Sisters-Road-Bike-Route-Map-clockwise

@Joe: Both have longer climbs than what we typically see around here. You can make this ride very hard for yourself if you want to. If you REALLY want to climb, do some Mt. Diablo repeats. It worked for Bob Roll.

Also, I usually did the ride JP posted in the opposite direction, or counter-clockwise. More like this (which includes an optional detour up to the Tam summit):
http://www.mapmyride.com/s/routes/view/road-cycling-map/california/san-francisco/41103674

Here's a kind of rough-around-the-edges map of the Pt. Reyes Station ride I mentioned (which takes the relentless Nicasio Valley Rd.):
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/SF-to-Point-Reyes-Station-loop

Here's a longer, harder Pt. Reyes Station route that will rip your legs off:
http://www.mapmyride.com/s/routes/view/road-cycling-map/california/san-francisco/45968876

this is great guys, thanks. a lot to digest. i was thinking East Bay, but after reading this I think I need to head over to Marin....something about riding over that bridge.

Try these 3 rides in the East Bay.

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/14086056
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/25943082
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/54740960

And, of course, you can always ride up Mt. Diablo.

Time to plan for next summer. I've found another area, "l'Oisans", where we could be based. Close to the Alpe d'Huez.

http://www.tourism-oisans.com/index.html

English detailed map:

http://www.tourisme-oisans.com/IMG/pdf_OISANS-CARTE-UK-2.pdf

We could train there and do the cyclosportive La Marmotte on July 7th, although I'm not sure how this is feasible, because you have to rest before such an event and we might be too tired afterwards... or maybe not? On Thursday 12 and Friday the 13th (I hope the TdF riders are not superstitious) the TdF will be there:

http://www.letour.fr/2012/TDF/COURSE/us/1100/etape_par_etape.html#zone1

http://www.letour.fr/2012/TDF/COURSE/us/1200/etape_par_etape.html


About the cyclosportive:
http://www.bikes-oisans.com/alpes-mtb-cycling-events-42.html

In l'Oisans region they have 29 routes with permanent timing

http://www.bikes-oisans.com/oisans-trail-cyclo-21.html


Location:

http://maps.google.fr/maps/ms?hl=fr&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=116721224881389477538.0004398a37d9f72cfa69b&ll=45.057702,6.134141&spn=0.401616,0.804749&z=11

If you want to come with your family, there are day care centers/day nurseries and activities for children:

http://www.tourism-oisans.com/sport-leisure-mountain-221.html

Let me know if you're interested.

July is a special month for cyclists in the Alps, with some roads closed on certain days for cyclists to climb. We must plan ahead to get accomodation etc.

Would love to join you Stephane but wont be able to, however I should be over in Europe bike touring in a few years so if you continue to hold these you got my word that I'll be there!

Robert Panzera (Rob), who heads Cycling camp San Diego (CCSD), organizes camps in California (Palo Alto near SF but many more, especially near San Diego, where he lives. He's a former Kissena member (used to ride a lot with JP and Keith). A very nice guy, very competent.

http://www.cyclingcampsandiego.com/camp_dates.html

Having told JP I was intending to do the Corima cyclosportive
http://www.corimadromeprovencale.com/index.html
he mentioned the Grand trophée, a series of such events.
I'm not sure I can participate in all of these, but intend to do several of them. For most of them, the inscriptions open this december. They sometimes accept several thousand participants, but still fill out rather fast.

If you would like to participate in some of the these events, let me know at stgeist@gmail.com, I can help you plan for it, especially if it's in the Alps or Provence Côte d'Azur, like the Granfondo Colnago, My house is near Grasse and is open.


Here is a link to the series' site:
http://www.sportcommunication.info/web2010/index.php?langue=2

They ask participants to be clean and require an official engagement to that end, which I find interesting:

L’ENGAGEMENT CYCLO DURABLE

in support of a cycling that respect environment, Health and highway code
‘‘ Je roule Propre ’’
, and i’ m engaged :
To be watchful and careful, even in pack, to respect highway code and to wear a helmet at all time.

To only use the right side of the road, in order to guarantee my own safety, but also the safety of others cycling racer and people using roads (drivers, pedestrians, and so on).

To respect the environment, As a consequence, i don’t throw any waste on the roads or in the middle of nowhere.

To Keep all my own waste (individual packaging, papers, and so on), by using shirt pocket or the Waste bag, until i find a waste bin or a suitable place of disposal.

To behave with self respect and unobtrusively when nature calls even in the middle of disposal.

To cycle healthily and don’t use any doping substances or products « sane mind lives in a healthy body ».

To adopt a good and responsible cycling attitude.

To support Cyclo Relais, and respect them. They are empowered to advise and indicate to the organiser any manner of dishonesty or dangerous riding and then take appropriate sanctions : time penalities or in extreme cases exclusion from event.

To support the agreement ‘‘ Je roule Propre ’’ of the organiser, its partners and others cycling racer by increasing people awareness of practicing with an eco and responsible attitude and respecting cycling values.

I'm going to be in San Diego with my family between Christmas and New Years. While I probably won't be taking a bike, if I can I'd ike to try to get out on at least one ride while I'm there. Does anyone have any recommendations for rides (road or off road), shops that might rent decent bikes, people, anything else in the area?

I know a bunch of you have in the past mentioned Rob Panzera and I might try to contact him through his company but I obviously won't have enough riding time to do anything particularly intense.

Do contact Rob. He knows every single road in the area and will be able to find a bike for you. Bring your pedals, helmet etc.

You can also talk to Bill Holland and Cody Stevenson (former Australian pro who works for Bill) at Bill's store in Spring Valley (do visit his shop where he builds the frames if you have time).

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Holland-Cycles/115667148479484

You can take a Ti bike with Di2 for a spin...

Okay...I will check in with Rob then.

Hmm...I sure would like to try one of them electrical bikes.

Thanks Stephane and bon voyage. We will miss you.

Does any have experience with routes riding down to Manalapan or a town nearby (Marlboro\Freehold\Englishtown\Hightstown\Colts Neck\etc) ?

We are having a family get together Saturday I am thinking about riding down to. Google maps shows it to be about 40 miles from the Newark PATH station, 60 miles from the GWB.
Google maps shows a not horrible looking biking route - the only detour I would take is about 30 min out of the way to avoid 5 miles on route 9.

from the GWB to Newark is there an ok way to ride or is it all not bike friendly ? I think Konrad and Andy told me they only drive to the GWB .

thanks.

Josh,
I've ridden to Newark once, ridden from Newark a few times. To Newark, I started in Hoboken after taking the ferry, went over to Jersey City, then there was one nasty steel grate bridge to cross, I think it was route 9, Lincoln Highway, but after that not bad.

When I came back to the GWB from Newark, the only yucky section was crossing the meadowlands. I forget how I did it. The first time was without a map, the second time was navigating via Garmin 705. But if I were to do it again, I guess I'd ride Fort lee to leonia to bogota to Hackensack and then start heading for Newark.

Josh,

How much time do you have?

I think the easiest / nicest way to go is to take NJ Transit to somewhere near Red Bank. Then ride west young man.

If you want miles, NJ transit to Red Bank, the ride toward atlantic highlands, keanburg, holmdel, and county road to manalapan.

Nice riding up there. Farms, rich people, horses, etc.

thanks for the suggestions guys

I need to be in Manalapn by 2:30 or 3. I can leave whenever.

Decided to ride as a cross between "lets get some miles in \ use an alternative method of transportation" and "wow, since my family didn't think I was weird enough, gonna show up in spandex".

Not sure if I am going to go crazy on Saturday, or ride a conservative # of miles + save some energy and come out on Sunday (when my only commitment requires being back in Queens by 4pm to get ready for dinner).

Let them think you're weird. It will come in handy some day.

Weird is good my friend. Very good. Safe riding!

Hey,

Anybody know if there is any good riding to be had down there? Should I bring my bike... are there any races to be done? What kind of license do I need to race?

J

I've heard the road conditions are not good. But that could be old info.

They speak English down there, no? All you need to do is do a web search for bike clubs in the Bahamas and ask the locals. In terms of racing, if there is any, you'll want to get a permission letter from USA Cycling, which can be auto-generated from your myusacycling web page. But I'd do it right away in case they actually need to send you a paper permission letter.

They speak English.

I don't know if its still true, but when I was there (Oct 97) - the Bahamian Dollar was directly linked to the US Dollar. So there was no need for currency exchange. You could pay for your purchases with either currency, and your change was often a mix of dollar bills, some Bahamian, some American.

Nice! Sadly I'll be there (most likely) earlier.
j

I've been to Nassau. You can ride. Not very exciting. I don't think there is my h racing. The tour of the Bahamas takes place in the upscale end of the island. Some real poverty to be found there. Standard tourist disclaimers about theft apply. English and dollar. Best thing to do is go under the bridge between Nassau and paradise island around 5pm as the people get out of work. They start to setup speakers and party. Conch salad is the best there. Cheap and authentic.

hey folks,

wondering if anyone knows anything about road cycling near the poconos - big boulder ski area in particular.

Heading out there next weekend to hang out with some of Bo's friends for the weekend. I skied and snowboarded a bit growing up and am frankly bored of it, especially in the poconos. (snob, yes, i know).

i might find some cross country skiing for a day (if there is some miracle snow), but was also thinking about taking my road bike out there.

Any ideas on where to ride?

A second option is to find a mountain bike to borrow and ride in some of the local state parks.

There is fantastic riding around Lake Harmony.

Mike,
first try to get in touch with my ex-teammate Rick Ball. rickball@ptd.net. He lives in the Poconos. I haven't written him in a few years, so I don't know if that address is active. If that bounces back or he doesn't write you in a day or two, track down is girlfriend on Facebook. Laura Van Gilder is her name. They're both pretty helpful.

Thanks JP, I'll check it out.