Epic Bay Area Gravel Ride | Menlo Park to Burlingame & Back | SRAM XPLR Upgrade Test

Join me on an amazing 38.7-mile loop from Menlo Park through the Bay Trail, up the scenic hills of the Peninsula, and back! This ride was extra special as it was my first time testing the SRAM XPLR upgrade on my Specialized Creo SL Expert. The difference was night and day-better control, confidence on descents, and a smoother ride overall.
The Bay Trail section was stunning with a bright blue sky but super windy, making it a real challenge. Surprisingly, debris from the recent storm got stuck in my derailleur, preventing me from shifting to my hardest gear! Thankfully, a quick stop at Cognition Cyclery (shoutout to Alex!) had me back on the road in no time.
Heading through Burlingame, Broadway’s traffic was a mess, but I discovered a pedestrian-only rail crossing-first time using it! The city’s unique bike path design, with cars parked in the middle to protect cyclists, was also interesting to navigate.
Climbing up was rewarding, with stunning views of Hoover Elementary School and beautiful homes along the way. The descent was a blast-fast, smooth, and exhilarating! The final stretch along the lake trail was breathtaking and made for the perfect way to close out the ride.
🚴 Ride Stats:
• 📍 Route: Menlo Park → Bay Trail → Burlingame → Hillsborough → Crystal Springs → Redwood City → Back
• ⏱️ Time: 2 hours 23 minutes
• 📏 Distance: 38.7 miles
• ⛰️ Elevation Gain: 1,350 ft
• 🚀 Avg Speed: 16.3 mph
Would I recommend this ride? Absolutely! If you’re in the Bay Area and looking for a great mix of flat trails, rolling hills, and a solid workout, this is a fantastic route. Just be mindful of post-storm debris on the roads and the Broadway intersection traffic!
If you enjoyed this ride, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more Bay Area cycling adventures! 🚵‍♂️✨
Route: www.komoot.com...
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#CyclingLife #GravelBike #SRAMXPLR #MenloPark #BayAreaCycling #BikeUpgrade #BikingAdventures #PeninsulaRide #CyclingCommunity #RoadToAdventure