Finally, a true Bay Area climb. Ok, actually, I have done some of the great, shorter climbs around Pescadero (Tunitas Creek for example), but this was the first of the big Bay Area climbs for me (the other two being Mt. Diablo and Mt. Hamilton..hoping to do those soon!).

Here is a slideshow of the ride for those who are too lazy to read the rest of the ride description (I don’t blame you..I often look for the cliff notes myself):

After doing some research, I settled on going with the Bolinas Fairfax Rd approach – general consensus seemed to be that it was the coolest way up with minimal traffic, changing scenery and a couple of tough sections. This route had me starting out in the rather nice town of Fairfax. From Center Boulevard I turned left on Bolinas Road and couldn’t wait to start climbing. About a half mile later my wish was answered with some nice climbing through a residential area in which I wouldn’t mind having a house..

From 2009-12-28 – Bay Area – Mt. Tamalpais Cycling

After a bit the houses start to thin out..

This section really starts to get scenic. After the initial climbing section, you get a pleasant descent:

From 2009-12-28 – Bay Area – Mt. Tamalpais Cycling

After the descent, a relatively flat section:

The cool thing about this ride is the ever-changing scenery. Not a mile later and I hit some redwoods..

Scenic, yes.

From 2009-12-28 – Bay Area – Mt. Tamalpais Cycling

A short while later and I stumble upon the incredibly scenic Alpine Lake:

From 2009-12-28 – Bay Area – Mt. Tamalpais Cycling

This really is a nice road to ride on..

From 2009-12-28 – Bay Area – Mt. Tamalpais Cycling

Even better in motion!

While this last stretch was beautiful, scenic and awfully nice, it is time to start climbing again. This next stretch climbs through the redwoods and averages over 7%…about 1,000 feet gained in just over 2 miles. This section is really scenic…but, yes, you will notice that you are going uphill.

Tough, but beautiful.

Seriously, how often do you get scenes like this?

From 2009-12-28 – Bay Area – Mt. Tamalpais Cycling

Small panorama of that view:

Finally, the climbing finishes and I get a brief respite after turning onto Ridgecrest and officially entering Mount Tamalpais State Park:

From 2009-12-28 – Bay Area – Mt. Tamalpais Cycling

Video:

Don’t forget to leave by sunset!

From 2009-12-28 – Bay Area – Mt. Tamalpais Cycling

More beautiful redwoods:

From 2009-12-28 – Bay Area – Mt. Tamalpais Cycling

Again, video:

Just about to leave the redwoods (and fog):

From 2009-12-28 – Bay Area – Mt. Tamalpais Cycling

Looking back into the fog (spooky!):

From 2009-12-28 – Bay Area – Mt. Tamalpais Cycling

The road about to be conquered:

From 2009-12-28 – Bay Area – Mt. Tamalpais Cycling

The beginning of the lovely Seven Sisters:

From 2009-12-28 – Bay Area – Mt. Tamalpais Cycling

Cycling along here is really, really tough to beat:

Seriously?

From 2009-12-28 – Bay Area – Mt. Tamalpais Cycling
From 2009-12-28 – Bay Area – Mt. Tamalpais Cycling

I won’t even attempt to describe that. My words would not do justice.

Short video a bit later:

And a bit later:

From 2009-12-28 – Bay Area – Mt. Tamalpais Cycling

Seven Sisters have been conquered! The road winding through the trees shortly after:

From 2009-12-28 – Bay Area – Mt. Tamalpais Cycling

A bit later and the junction of PanToll Rd and Ridgecrest (to the peaks) is hit:

From 2009-12-28 – Bay Area – Mt. Tamalpais Cycling

West Peak views:

From 2009-12-28 – Bay Area – Mt. Tamalpais Cycling
From 2009-12-28 – Bay Area – Mt. Tamalpais Cycling

The final ascent to the east peak gives you a nice, short but steep section:

And, finally, success! The east peak!

From 2009-12-28 – Bay Area – Mt. Tamalpais Cycling

The descent back to the junction of Pantoll and Ridgecrest is excellent – these curves are just begging for a decent cyclist.

After this, I descended down Panoramic Highway. This was decently scenic, but nothing special after what I had already cycled through. Some pictures:

From 2009-12-28 – Bay Area – Mt. Tamalpais Cycling

The cute Mountain Home Inn:

From 2009-12-28 – Bay Area – Mt. Tamalpais Cycling

Twisty roads!

From 2009-12-28 – Bay Area – Mt. Tamalpais Cycling

Muir Woods cutoff:

From 2009-12-28 – Bay Area – Mt. Tamalpais Cycling

And the reward for finishing the ride:

From 2009-12-28 – Bay Area – Mt. Tamalpais Cycling

Here is the MapMyRide routemap:

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