Finally, a national park video without that soft music. Oh and Nice Video. I don't have any luck with bike riding (fell of a hill on my bike and it fell on my back, and also was ran off a mountain road by a car and had my leg hurt), *BUT* I do enjoy a good biking video. Good one.
Thank you for this video! I'm planning a route from Emeryville to Bishop's ranch, and I want to get off the cement for as much of it as possible. I'm figuring I can go across the Golden Gate and hop onto part of this route as I head north. Then, on my way back, I can hit another part of Mt. Tam! This video was helpful!
Thanks for sharing this (and some questions). This was the first thing that I stumbled upon as I began planning for our trip out there. We're going to be staying near Muir Beach in late April/early May 2022, so we'll be right on your route (thanks for providing the Ride with GPS file). Two questions: (1) if you had 4-5 days to spend riding around Marin/San Fran and could bring only one bike, would you bring a gravel bike or a mountain bike? We like the versatility of our gravel bikes, especially since there will be at least one ride over to San Fran and back, but we are also avid mountain bikers and enjoy gnarly stuff. We're genuinely conflicted on this one. (2) this question is for anyone following this comment section: what's your favorite ride in the area (and your Ride with GPS data or TrailForks link, if you have it)? Higher mileage or low, road/groad/technical singletrack -- doesn't matter. We're solid MTBers, gravel riders, and roadies. Many thanks to all!
Really, there's enough for anything you're wishing for there. I'd also throw in Old Caz as a gravel route and there's some options up in Fairfax. You could also venture to other parts of the Bay Area and find a lot of great gravel there.
Very cool and as your guide hinted, you barely scratched the surface! So much amazing open space out there. You can easily do all day rides and stay on dirt 90pct of the time. Next time, instead of deer creek fire road, go down coastal trail single track. It’s a much better descent!
As much as I love that descent, it has become a brutally rough ride on most gravel bikes. One of my best riding buddies won't ride it with me unless I loan her a mountain bike...
Eldridge is probably my favorite climb anywhere, gravel or mtb 🙂 As a descent, i can do it, it's just unpleasant on my Warbird with 42s. Way more fun on the right bike!
Mt. Tam is better using a hard tail MTB with fast low-profile tires. The front shock takes out the ding on the rocky and rutted descents. I have done three hour long rides on Tam without touching asphalt (except the part to get to the trailhead from Mill Valley).
Just did this route. Was pretty excited, ended up disappointed. The downhill portions off-road were terrible. Was wishing I had my Stumpjumper, not my Diverge. Riding the brakes all the time, ugh. Watch out for the flour dirt that will make your front tire want to wash out on your descent into Green Gulch. The climb to descent ratio is what makes this ride kind of suck, in my opinion. Would be better with front and rear suspension.
I rode on Tam every month for 7 years when living in San Fran. Definitely better using a hard tail mtb with fast tires. No need for a rear shock, but the front shock fork does the trick.
I just love riding these trails with my cousin Craig Dalton. Can't wait to get back there some time soon.
I'd love to see Colin out there too. Gravel Dalton California!
@@GravelBikeCalifornia And Harold Z Dalton and make it three generations :-)
I always listen to his podcaset and finally we see him ride his gravel bike on his local area. Gravel bikes are awesome and so much fun.
I knew from his podcast that he has a pure love for gravel and enjoys serving as a conduit for the sport. He's that person in real life.
Gravel Bike Heaven does exist!
I'd say California has multiples, but some have a VIP section...
@@GravelBikeCalifornia hahah - well said
Finally, a national park video without that soft music. Oh and Nice Video. I don't have any luck with bike riding (fell of a hill on my bike and it fell on my back, and also was ran off a mountain road by a car and had my leg hurt), *BUT* I do enjoy a good biking video. Good one.
Thank you for this video. This was so informative and inspiring. I hope to see another Tam video in the future.
More trips coming to the Bay Area.
Hello guys.., nice place and content. Stay safe
Super bummed I missed this ride!!!!!! Spectacular area!
Road trip!!
Great recap. Thanks!!🙏
Thanks. I may update this someday with more history.
New follower, ride safe sir.
Awesome video, I'll be trying out this route in the coming weeks!
awesome
Thank you for this video! I'm planning a route from Emeryville to Bishop's ranch, and I want to get off the cement for as much of it as possible. I'm figuring I can go across the Golden Gate and hop onto part of this route as I head north. Then, on my way back, I can hit another part of Mt. Tam! This video was helpful!
Probably counter clockwise works best on this part of the Bay.
Thanks for the great video
It's easy when it is one of the all-timers.
EPIC
In one word...yes!
Great video!
thank you for this video! just moved to san rafael and have been looking for some good dirt/gravel trails
Required riding!
Thanks for sharing this (and some questions). This was the first thing that I stumbled upon as I began planning for our trip out there. We're going to be staying near Muir Beach in late April/early May 2022, so we'll be right on your route (thanks for providing the Ride with GPS file). Two questions:
(1) if you had 4-5 days to spend riding around Marin/San Fran and could bring only one bike, would you bring a gravel bike or a mountain bike? We like the versatility of our gravel bikes, especially since there will be at least one ride over to San Fran and back, but we are also avid mountain bikers and enjoy gnarly stuff. We're genuinely conflicted on this one. (2) this question is for anyone following this comment section: what's your favorite ride in the area (and your Ride with GPS data or TrailForks link, if you have it)? Higher mileage or low, road/groad/technical singletrack -- doesn't matter. We're solid MTBers, gravel riders, and roadies. Many thanks to all!
Really, there's enough for anything you're wishing for there. I'd also throw in Old Caz as a gravel route and there's some options up in Fairfax. You could also venture to other parts of the Bay Area and find a lot of great gravel there.
Very cool and as your guide hinted, you barely scratched the surface! So much amazing open space out there. You can easily do all day rides and stay on dirt 90pct of the time. Next time, instead of deer creek fire road, go down coastal trail single track. It’s a much better descent!
As much as I love that descent, it has become a brutally rough ride on most gravel bikes. One of my best riding buddies won't ride it with me unless I loan her a mountain bike...
@@michaelsolis5857 if that’s brutal what do you make of up and down Eldridge on the gravel bike :-)
Eldridge is probably my favorite climb anywhere, gravel or mtb 🙂 As a descent, i can do it, it's just unpleasant on my Warbird with 42s. Way more fun on the right bike!
Mt. Tam is better using a hard tail MTB with fast low-profile tires. The front shock takes out the ding on the rocky and rutted descents. I have done three hour long rides on Tam without touching asphalt (except the part to get to the trailhead from Mill Valley).
So choice! For the record, Miwok is pronounced "Mee-Wok". Cheers!
Thanks. I should have double checked. I copied from the first person I heard.
Loved this ride! Doable on 38’s? I just purchased a trek Domane to be able to get off the main roads more
I think so. I did it on 40s and it wasn't too problematic.
Great video! What type of bikes and what was the width of your tires?
I'm on a Niner Rlt 9 with 40mm WTB Raddlere
The route file is not public 😭
Sorry about that. Fixed.
Is water or a store available at West Point Inn?
Not a store, but I think there's water. If not, there's water up on the east peak of Mt Tam
💖💖💖
...and so close.
doing this ride on a gravel bike is intense, I like doing it on my MTB more.. lol
I could see that. I'm curious to try it on my more suspension friendly bike next time around.
Are ebikes allowed on these trails?
Just did this route. Was pretty excited, ended up disappointed. The downhill portions off-road were terrible. Was wishing I had my Stumpjumper, not my Diverge. Riding the brakes all the time, ugh. Watch out for the flour dirt that will make your front tire want to wash out on your descent into Green Gulch.
The climb to descent ratio is what makes this ride kind of suck, in my opinion. Would be better with front and rear suspension.
Interesting. Definitely not smooth when I rode it, but cleaner than a lot of stuff down here in Socal.
@@GravelBikeCalifornia either way I like your videos and will be trying your Half Moon bay route next weekend. Cheers!
I rode on Tam every month for 7 years when living in San Fran. Definitely better using a hard tail mtb with fast tires. No need for a rear shock, but the front shock fork does the trick.
The gravel cyclist would be smiling at you😊
Tam and JOM are all-timers.