Marin

C

Cornfish

Well-known member
I decided to make a trip to Marin today via Hwy 1, Panoramic Drive, Sir Francis Drake, the tunnel to the headlands and elsewhere. Holy smokes! Crap roads, worse traffic and driving that makes the south bay and peninsula drivers look like Mario Andretti! Last time I hit Marin it was a weekday, and only slightly better. No thanks, I won't be back anytime soon.

I did get this photo out of the deal.
 

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T

ToraTora

.
Wow I really feel compelled to stand up for one of my favorite places to ride, for this is the opposite of my experience up there. Sure there are those entitled butt wipes in their black Audi SUVs, but most folks up there will use the turn outs and let you pass. The road quality does have some variation, however there's plenty of nice pavement--lots of new too.

Maybe you just didn't bring the right tool for the job. Sometimes the bike can make all the difference.

IMG_4824_zpsjql2naju.jpg
 
D

DIY

Well-known member
Last month I took the family to Marin. There was bumper to bumper traffic on 37, 101, the road to Muir Woods, there was no parking in Muir woods, Muir Overlook, Muir Beach, and Even Stinson Beach. My daughter is only four but she has learned never to go to Marin on the weekend. Poor kid. She had to sit in the car until we got to the beach at Point Reyes. Sheesh.
 
turboLT

turboLT

Well-known member
You can't go during normal weekend times. Early in the morning on the weekend is best, but during the week is awesome too. Also, if you go farther north you can get away with more but I rarely wait for people to use the turnouts anymore and usually just pass when it's safe.

There were a TON of cops on highway 1 yesterday though. Not sure what was up but it looked like a targeted enforcement of sorts. That definitely made it less fun than usual.

Edit: come to think of it, I usually have the experience you describe when i'm in the South Bay lol. Anywhere near the Santa Cruz mountains are covered in people who don't let you pass, cops everywhere, and lots of traffic/closed roads for bicycle races and such. I prefer north all day long.

Let me know if you want to ride north again some time. We'll go farther and I show you some cool stuff near Fort Ross and Stewarts Point or along Panoramic if it's early enough.
 
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1962siia

1962siia

Well-known member
Just got back from a fun Marin/Sonoma loop. Headed to Pt Reyes Station for breakfast then north to Tomales and took some goaty side road up to Valley Ford, then up to Monte Rio, Cazadero, Fort Ross Rd to Tin Barn to Skaggs Springs. Super fun day. Woot!
 
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Whammy

Whammy

Veteran of Road Racing
is that guy

ToraTora said:
Wow I really feel compelled to stand up for one of my favorite places to ride, for this is the opposite of my experience up there. Sure there are those entitled butt wipes in their black Audi SUVs, but most folks up there will use the turn outs and let you pass. The road quality does have some variation, however there's plenty of nice pavement--lots of new too.

Maybe you just didn't bring the right tool for the job. Sometimes the bike can make all the difference.

IMG_4824_zpsjql2naju.jpg
Click to expand...

is that guy Barfing?:green
 
Darkness!

Darkness!

Where's the kick starter?
:rolleyes OP, I did nearly the same ride yesterday, and had quite the opposite experience. You did it wrong. I left the East Bay around 10 am went out to Pt Reyes via Lucas Valley Rd and had practically zero traffic. Considering it was a beautiful Saturday. Same heading back over Mt Tam to Mill Valley. Hardly much traffic. If you were foolish enough to expect an uninterrupted ride along Hwy 1 anywhere near Stinson on such a warm weekend...:wtf :laughing Well, that was YOUR error in judgement...
 
Not Karl Malden

Not Karl Malden

Mid-life Geezer
Marin still has some good weekend riding with low traffic, just ride north - try Hicks Valley, Nicasio/Lucas Valley, Marshall-Petaluma, Chileno Valley, Red Hill, Bear Valley, Tomales via Dillion beach Rd, Franklin School Rd., etc. Just stay off Hwy 1 and Sir Francis Drake and most of your problems are taken care of.
 
Aeroslash

Aeroslash

Paddywhack
The roads are incredible, the problem is your timing.

Next time, have an early night and get on 1 at 7.30am. The early bird gets the worm apparently.
 
zixaq

zixaq

Well-known member
It's almost impossible to find a bad road up there. You just can't go during peak tourist time.

Highway 1 early morning on a weekday is heaven.
 
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