Betty's List - Ladies Go Biking

2011-10-13T17:22:00.000-07:00

Betty's List Ladies Go Biking is STILL up and running, but we've moved our information to a Facebook group. Please join us at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/8105350745/

Thank you for visiting. We hope to see you on a bike ride soon!

2008-05-05T12:04:00.000-07:00

RIDE #16

SUNDAY, MAY 11, 2008

South Bay: "BICYCLE SUNDAY"

Canada Rd. to Woodside (return)

RIDE LEADERS
Patti will lead. We've done this ride before (Ride #8 in August '07), and had a great turn out and lots of fun. We hope you'll join us this time! Please respond to the poll (lefthand column here) so we'll know how many of you to expect.

SCHEDULE
9:40 am - meeting time (collect maps, discuss route, check equipment, stretch)
10:00 am – ride out
11:00 am – rest stop (with rest room) and buy lunch at Robert’s Market, Woodside
11:15 am – double back on Canada Rd. to Las Pulgas Temple for lunch
12:00 am – lunch at Las Pulgas Water Temple (water & toilets available)
12:30 pm – continue on Canada Rd. another 2 miles
12:45 pm - finish

DIRECTIONS
CLICK HERE to connect with MAPQUEST and personalize directions from your location.

PARKING
Park at the beginning of Canada Road, at the intersection of 280/Ralston and Canada Road. If there are no spaces left, there is additional parking available a short distance away on 280/Ralston at the intersection of 35/Skyline.

ROUTE
The full round trip is 15 miles. No big hills, pretty good road surfaces, and just two stop signs! And if you just ride the Bicycle Sunday section, which runs between Edgewood Road and Highway 92 (Ralston), you're looking at an 8 mile roundtrip.

Bicycle Sunday, by the way, is the closing of Canada Road to cars between the Canada/92 and Canada/Edgewood intersections. It’s bicycle heaven! Head south on Canada for approx. 4 miles to Edgewood Road. Canada Rd. has some moderate hills, but nothing too daunting. You'll be rewarded with views of hills and the Crystal Springs Reservoir (see pic above), and maybe even some deer grazing in the open fields at the Filoli Center (see pic right, famous for its appearances in the movie Heaven Can Wait and also the TV show Dynasty). After Edgewood Rd., continue on Canada but be careful as there is traffic. Continue for another approx. 4 – 5 miles to Woodside Rd. On the way, there is one stop sign at Jefferson Rd., and another before you reach Woodside.

Robert’s Market is located at the intersection of Canada Rd. and Woodside Rd. There is a great deli inside, as well as restrooms.

After resting and purchasing lunch, we’ll double back on Canada Road and head to the Pulgas Water Temple to eat lunch.

After lunch, there’s just 2 miles back to the start of Canada Road.

SHORTER RIDE OPTION
If you're not a strong rider and don't want to go the full distance, double back earlier and get a friend to buy your lunch, or just carry a packed lunch with you. We'll all meet up at the Water Temple either way!

2008-03-29T14:43:00.000-07:00

RIDE #15 - In Review

March 29: Canyon Loop near Piedmont (East Bay), 13.5 miles

Although we expected about a dozen riders, most of them chickened out because of the cloudy skies and overnight rain. Three of us did this ride and had a great time! Ride leader Kathleen was joined by two Betty's List first-timers: Cheri and Karl. Way to go, Karl, for being for the first man on a Betty's List ride! Karl is a member of San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus.

The intrepid trio of riders (pictured) met in the foggy parking lot and - after braving the primitive "out house" - set off on the ride. Although it was a little misty, there was no wind, and very little auto traffic. The ride began with an uphill section, so we warmed up pretty quickly. The forest smelled great due to the recent rain and everything so fresh and clean. There were many other riders out, including training rides for AIDS LifeCycle and Leukemia, so we didn't feel lonely at all!

The steep downhill on Pinehurst Rd. was a little scary with moisture on the road, but we were all careful and throughly enjoyed the ensuing fast ride along the canyon floor through the imposing redwoods. We stopped for a breather and photo at Canyon Post Office, which is nestled unexpectedly among the trees near a stream. It was absolutely idyllic, and the sun even managed to peep through the clouds a few times.

After passing the nearby Canyon School, we then climbed up out of the Canyon, with stunning views of the nearby reservoir:

The three mile uphill at the end of the ride wasn't so hard after all, and we soon rewarded ourselves at Woodminster Cafe with burgers and garlic fries. Yum!

We'll definitely schedule this ride again when the weather's a bit nicer. Hope more of you with join us next time :-)

2008-03-21T11:27:00.000-07:00

RIDE #15 - Saturday, March 29, 2008

Canyon loop - Oakland/Piedmont/Canyon area

This is a MAGNIFICENT spring ride. 13.45 miles, including redwood forests, sequoias, breathtaking SF Bay views, wildflowers, birds (Kathleen did the ride and saw a turkey and several birds of prey, as well as tiny wrens), awesome downhills, and manageable uphills.

BONUS: do you have a friend/partner who doesn't bike ride? There are some fabulous hiking trails in the area, and dogs are welcome on leashes. Bring them along! Check out Robert's Regional Recreation Area and Joaquin Miller Park.

NEW!
Please let us know if you're coming so we can plan accordingly. Click on the poll here (left hand column), and/or RSVP on Facebook. If you need a ride from home or from BART, please contact Kathleen (mcguireka@yahoo.com) or Betty no later than THURSDAY, 5PM.

SCHEDULE

Saturday, March 29, 2008

9:30 am - park, stretch, hydrate, pump up tires, meet other riders etc.

9:45 am - begin ride

12:30 pm - end/lunch

MEETING POINT

Meet at the parking lot on Skyline Blvd. at Crestmont Drive, OAKLAND

CLICK HERE to go to mapquest and get specific driving directions from your personal starting point.

GENERIC DRIVING DIRECTIONS

(Approx. 17 miles/25 min. from San Francisco)

From San Francisco, take the Bay Bridge over to the East Bay

Merge onto I-580 E towards CA-24/Downtown Oakland/Hayward-Stockton

Merge onto CA-24 E toward Walnut Creek

Merge onto CA-13 S toward Hayward

Take the exit toward JOAQUIN MILLER RD/LINCOLN AVE

Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto MONTEREY BLVD.

Turn LEFT onto JOAQUIN MILLER RD/LINCOLN AVE.

Continue on JOAQUIN MILLER RD. (1.5 miles).

Joaquin Miller Rd. becomes SKYLINE BLVD.

Turn LEFT into parking lot opposite CRESTMONT DR. (Richard C. Trudeau Training Center)

RIDE ROUTE
NOTE: There is one primitive toilet at the parking lot, but no others along the route. Bring water to drink and a snack to eat - you'll need some extra energy for the final climb at the end of the ride.

Distance - Description

0.00 - From the parking lot, turn RIGHT onto SKYLINE BLVD.
0.17 - At the intersection, follow Skyline Blvd. to the right. Continue uphill.
0.75 - Sequoia Point - rest for a moment and enjoy the beautiful trees
1.09 - Top of the first hill: Roberts Regional Recreation Area. The next section is downhill/flat for ages!
1.52 - Point of Interest: Chabot Space & Sciene Center / Redwood Bowl Archery Range
2.50 - A wild turkey may cross your path here!
3.72 - Turn SHARP RIGHT onto PINEHURST, and head down into the canyon. Be careful not to go too fast on the downhill sections, as there are some tricky hairpin turns and the road is narrow. Upon reaching the canyon floor, the road flattens out in a magnificent redwood forest.
6.34 - Canyon Post Office
6.56 - Canyon School
7.74 - Canyon Rd. intersection - stay RIGHT and continue on Pinehurst. The road heads uphill now, climbing up out of the canyon. Enjoy the beautiful views to your left.
8.93 - Alameda County Line
9.92 - Pinehurst Gate - end of the uphill (for now!). Enjoy the downhill, but again be careful with the hairpin turns.
10.50 - Turn RIGHT onto REDWOOD RD. This is the beginning of a long, gradual uphill section. Pace yourself, because the steepest section is at the very end.
10.72 - Redwood Canyon Fire Station (emergency phone)
12.96 - Turn RIGHT onto SKYLINE BLVD. Yep, it's still uphill, but you're almost done! Enjoy the amazing view of the Bay to your left as you pump up the last hill, which flattens out at the top as you return to the parking lot.
13.45 - Turn RIGHT into the parking lot. END OF THE RIDE.

LUNCH

WOODMINSTER CAFE
Located on Woodminster Lane opposite Round Table Pizza (right next to the CA-13 freeway entrance off Joaquin Miller Rd. - you'll drive right by in on your way in). Meter parking is $1.25/hr. Takes coins AND credit cards. The cafe offers sandwiches, burgers, soup, salad (and breakfast if you get there before 11:30 am). We'll call ahead and book a table.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Special thanks to Carol for suggesting this ride!

BAD WEATHER?

Rain cancels.

2008-02-10T15:46:00.000-08:00

Stay tuned for details re Ride #15 in March. In the meantime, here's a review of our February ride:

Ride #14 - China Camp in review...

Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008
Only 5 women did the ride, but we had a fabulous time, nonetheless. Ride leader Kathleen was joined by Marcia, Hennie, Tia, and Diane. They enjoyed the best weather one could ever want for a bike ride. The temperature was in the mid-60s, there was no wind, and the sky was cloudless.

Although it was only 12.5 miles, this was by far the hilliest ride we've done to date. In spite of this, Marcia - who was riding a heavier, fat-tire bike - still managed just fine. (Way to go, Marcia!) On the road heading out to China Camp, we spotted three deer by the road, who seemed equally interested in - or startled by - the women pedaling by.

Upon reaching the State Park, we stopped for a group photo:

We then headed up more hills while enjoying magnificent bay views, such as this one:

There were many mountain bikers gearing up for the trails inside the park, but we stuck to the paved roads. The few cars that passed us were very bike-friendly. One by one, we all managed to wend our way up the rolling hills to China Camp Village.

We spent some time looking around the Village, which had been a fishing village in the late 1800s. Shrimp was the main focus, and the shrimp caught here was exported to several countries.

Most of the remainder of the ride was downhill or flat, with speeds recorded of up to 37 mph (Kathleen exceeded the 35 mph speed limit, but fortunately the police in the area were more interested in the cars).

Two hours after starting the ride, we all made it back to Montecito Plaza for a well-earned lunch. Because there were only 5 of us, we elected to eat at Whole Foods.

Anyone who didn't come on this ride definitely missed a great one! We'll have to schedule it again some time :-)

To view (or add) more pics from this and other rides, visit our group on Facebook: Betty's List Ladies Go Biking

2008-01-30T13:05:00.000-08:00

RIDE #14 - China Camp, San Rafael/Marin County

NEW DATE: SUNDAY, FEB. 10th* - 9:30 am

Ride leader: Kathleen McGuire

Call Kathleen if you want to carpool: 415-412-2775 cell

*This ride was previously scheduled Feb. 3 but was postponed due to rain. Beautiful weather is expected this week, though!

Schedule

9:30 am - Meet at Monticeto Plaza in San Rafael

9:45 am - Ride out

11:45 pm - end of ride (in plenty of time to get Superbowl parties, or stick around for lunch)

Lunch

Szechwan 7 Chinese Restaurant (in Montecito Plaza near Rite Aid)

Lunch special is $6.99, which includes a choice of 4 items from an extensive list. No MSG.

Other menu choices available, too.

Meeting Point

Monticeto Plaza, on 3rd & Union Streets, San Rafael

Driving Directions

From Golden Gate Bridge, head north on Hwy 101 about 12 miles.

Take the Central San Rafael exit, and stay in the right lane.

Turn right onto 2nd St. 2nd St. eventually merges into 3rd St.

At the intersection of Union St., turn right into Monticeto Plaza.

Park near the RITE AID (near the Plaza clock).

Ride Description

China Camp, near San Rafael (30 min. drive from downtown SF). This is an awesome ride, just over 12 miles, with great views. It's mostly flat, with some gentle, rolling hills (total elevation is less than 400 ft.).

About China Camp

One of the earliest and most productive Chinese fishing villages in California, China Camp was in operation by 1870. The Chinese immigrants and their descendants introduced the use of commercial netting to catch bay shrimp off Point San Pedro. The shrimp were then dried and exported throughout the world. China Camp represents the last surviving shrimp fishing village in California.

The State Park includes a camp ground, hiking, and mountain biking paths, plus plenty of wonderful flora and fauna.

Ride Directions

From Montecito Plaza, head north on Grand St.

Left on Mission St. just a few blocks later. Cross under Hwy 101 and cross the railway lines.

Right on Lincoln Ave. Lincoln head slowly uphill for a couple of miles. The steepest part is currently undergoing road work, so be careful to ride single-file as the shoulder is non-existent for a while, before going downhill again.

Right on North San Pedro Road. This road will take us in a big circle around China Camp and back to Montecito Plaza!

On N. San Pedro, cross over the railway lines again, and then under Hwy. 101. After a couple more miles, enter China Camp State Park area. Note that we DO NOT go off road onto the bike paths. The paths - which are fabulous - are for mountain bikes, not for road bikes.

After a flat section, the road winds along the coast line with magnificent views. There are several rest rooms along the way, and also picnic tables and water fountains. Bring you camera!

When arriving at China Camp Village, stop and take a look around. If there's a group of us, this would be a great photo opp.

After China Camp Village, the road heads down hill and starts to turn around. Although we're still on the same road, its name changes to Point San Pedro Road.

Along Point San Pedro Road, to your left is a magnificent view of the Richmond Bridge. There are a couple of short uphill sections, rewarded by fun downhills and great marina scenes.

At Union St., turn left into Montecito Plaza, back into the parking lot where you began. This is the end of the ride!

Total distance is approx. 12 miles.

Here's a map of the route. Click on "Satellite" for a bird's-eye view:

China Camp

Share your bike routes @ Bikely.com

For more details, go to: http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/China-Camp

2007-12-29T19:24:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

Hope you had a fun holiday season. Thank you to everyone who joined in the Betty's List bike rides these past 16 months. There are plenty more rides ahead, too! Please respond to the poll on the left (scroll down) to give us an idea of how many of you have participated so far.

Here's a great pic of Kathleen visiting with "Santa" Betty at an Under One Roof fund raiser held earlier this month (Kathleen reports that she rode her bike to this event, FYI!).

RIDE #13 - Mountain View to Palo Alto

Date: Sunday, January 13, 2008
Ride leader: Patti Segarini

DETAILS:
We’ll meet at the Mountain View Train Station parking lot, in the south end at 10:15 and plan to ride out at 10:30. There’s a farmer’s market there every Sunday from 9 – 1pm, and parking is easier at the south end ($2 in the lot; street parking if available is free). Arrive early to do a little farmer’s market shopping as it will most likely be closed by the time we return. The train from SF (#424) arrives at 10:14 and the train from SJ (#427) arrives at 10:19. Patti will keep an eye out for anyone who may be arriving by train, and we won’t leave until train riders can find the group.

The route is out and back, 18 – 20 miles; we’ll start by heading east on the Steven’s Creek Trail, out to Shoreline Park , along the bay, and up to Palo Alto. If the group feels strong enough, we’ll continue up to the duck pond, loop around, then head back the way we came.

The majority of the route is on bike paths with a few exceptions on streets, but with bike lanes. If it’s a nice day, we’ll be challenged with walkers, skaters, and young cyclists with training wheels, but it’s a flat ride. The Baylands are a favorite winter spot along the Pacific Flyway for migrating birds and we should see all kinds of ducks and other shore birds. When we return we’ll lunch at one of the many restaurants on Castro Street ( Mountain View , that is)—all suggestions welcome!

Bring water and a snack to munch on during the ride; there are restroom stops in Shoreline Park , but no food available along the route.

NOTE: rain cancels the ride!!!

2007-12-25T17:53:00.000-08:00

RIDE #12

Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007 - 10:20AM (meet at 10AM)

CASTRO NEIGHBORHOOD TO LAKE MERCED

In Review:

A group of 8 women did this ride (described below), and two more joined in for lunch. It was a beautiful day, with very little wind and plenty of sunshine. Some riders from the Sunset district left us midway, and those of us who did the whole ride were evenly matched and stayed together in a group. New to the group were Alexa and Liz. Liz was a speed-demon, but she checked in with us occasionally! Pictured (left) is the group before we set off on the ride.

Our next ride may not be until the first weekend of February, as Kathleen will be traveling in January. Please let us know if you have suggestions for a favorite ride in YOUR neck of the woods!

RIDE LEADERS

Kathleen McGuire

Patti Segarini

ROUTE

From the Castro, we'll head up 15th St. to Sanchez, then Steiner, Haight, Scott, and then "wiggle" to Fell. We then enter the Panhandle of Golden Gate Park and ride on the bike path to Stanyan. After Stayan, follow Kennedy through Golden Gate Park all the way to Ocean Highway. There is a bike path on the east side of the road, or if it's windy, the sheltered road parallel to the highway is an option.

At Sloat Blvd. we may stop to use the restrooms and fill water bottles (and check out the surfers).

Continue on the Highway over the hill to Skyline. From here, turn left then get onto the bike path and travel clockwise around Lake Merced.

Returning is basically a re-tracing of steps, with some minor exceptions. Going through Golden Gate Park, stay on MLK (it's a small climb, but not as bad as Kennedy), and cross back over to Kennedy on Music Concourse in front of the De Young Museum.

Ride back through the Panhandle as before, but when reaching Baker, turn right onto Baker and then left onto Oak. Stay on Oak a few blocks, then turn right onto Scott. Retrace the path back to Market St. in the Castro.

The full route is approx. 20 miles. It's around 7.5 miles to the Lake, and 5 miles around the Lake. Slower riders may want to skip the Lake, and faster riders may want to go around it twice.

Additional restroom/food option is the bike-friendly JavaBeach at Judah just off the Ocean Highway bike path.

LUNCH

After the ride we'll have lunch as Asqew Grill located at 16th Street at Market (1 block from the meeting place).

PARKING

The meters are not running on Sundays, and there are also non-metered spaces in the vicinity.

BART

The nearest BART station is Van Ness.

RIDE #11

Sunday, November 25

Sawyer Camp Trail

Ride Leader: Patti Segarini

Meeting time: 10:30AM

Hit the trail: 11AM

The timing for the ride is planned so that our group will have a nice ride and be back to the cars just in time to head out for lunch. Please bring light snacks in case you get hungry; even though the rides are relatively short, some riders are always surprised by how hungry they get are 15 or so miles, and there are no facilities for snacks along this route.

MORE ABOUT SAWYER CAMP TRAIL

In March 2007, our Ladies Go Biking co-chair, Dr. Kathleen McGuire, led our ride on this same trail and a group of around 25 riders participated. Here is a link to a photo from that day:

http://www.bettyslist.com/photo-of-the-week.php?a=2469

You can find more detailed information already listed for March's ride. Go to: http://bettyslistbiking.blogspot.com/2007/01/always-refresh-your-screen-for-updates.html

2007-12-25T17:49:00.000-08:00

2007-10-22T16:38:00.000-07:00

Ride #10 - Sunday, October 28, 2007

MILLBRAE - FOSTER CITY

Beautiful photos from our recent Ladies Go Biking September ride at Angel Island: http://www.bettyslist.com/photo-of-the-week.php?a=2905

Betty's List Ladies Go Biking
Angel Island, Sept. 2007 - getting our bearings!

Good news is that ace ride leader Patti Segarinia returns once more to lead our October ride on Sunday, October 28. Thanks, Patti! That means all of you accomplished (intermediate and advanced) riders will have a “proper” leader, as my British friends would say. Patti will give you a run for your money and is a gentle and supportive coach at the same time.

Kathleen reports her ankle is still healing but not ready yet for riding :-(

Here are notes about our October ride from Patti:

* Starting/ending place: Millbrae CalTrain parking lot

Cost is $2.00 to park there, but there may be some street parking. We'll meet in the lot.

* Meeting time: 10:15 AM - 10:30 AM
Train #426 from San Francisco arrives at 10:24 AM, and train #425 from San Jose arrives at 10:08 AM. To accommodate those who choose to arrive by CalTrain, we'll wait for the trains, and plan to ride out no later than 10:45 AM.

* About the Ride
Ride out along Millbrae Avenue, over the freeway toward the Bay, then along the waterfront on bike/pedestrian paths, and quiet roads down to Foster City and back to our starting place. The full ride is 12 - 15 miles, flat except for the rise to pass over the freeway. Bring snacks, and plan for lunch afterwards.

* Lunch Plans

At this time, we are looking for ideas on where to meet for lunch afterwards. Please send your suggestions, if you have any. There's a Thai restaurant nearby, but we don't yet know the name of it.

Please Note: Rain cancels

* Communications

Betty is going to be traveling for 10 days (first to L.A. this Thursday for the Dixie Chicks /Eagles Concert at the new Nokia Theater and then on to San Diego with our group going on the Mexican Riviera Cruise), so please communicate directly with Patti.
Her e-mail is: psegarini@earthlink.net.

While away, Betty will have access to e-mail and can send out a follow-up e-mail about plans for the October 28th ride once we have final details. But, you can reach Patti as well.

- Below are dates of some upcoming events we'll be attending and invite you
join us!

* November 1st - MECCA IS BACK!
The return of Ladies Night at MECCA on Thursdays, with the Re-Opening
Party set for Thursday, November 1st.

* Thursday, December 13th – HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
We’ll be back with Kathleen at the Castro Theatre for the popular annual HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS concert and dinner together afterwards at MECCA Ladies Night. This is a fabulous evening of music and socializing. More details will be available soon about tickets, and how to join the new APPLAUSE! section for women and their friends.

Salute!
- Betty

2007-09-27T14:14:00.000-07:00

RIDE #9

SATURDAY, SEPT. 29, 2007

ANGEL ISLAND - REVISITED!

DEPART PIER 41 at 9:45 AM SHARP

We are going to follow the same instructions this coming Saturday as were stated for this same ride (Ride #3) a year ago when we went there on October 28th, 2006. Below is the text from that blog entry or you can go there and find lots of photos, map, etc. at this link:

http://bettyslistbiking.blogspot.com/2006/10/bettys-list-ladies-go-biking-ride-3.html

Or just scroll down here to Ride #3.

Also, you can go to the Angel Island web site and read there as well for more tips and information:
http://www.angelisland.com/index.php

To view the Ferry Schedule, go to this link and near the bottom of the page, you’ll see the yellow button that says “Print Schedule.” Use that and you can see all the options.

To go with our group from Pier 41, meet me at there to catch the 9:45 AM Ferry on Saturday morning. If you come on a different ferry, or from a different launching point, that's fine too. I am not planning to rush back this year, so I won't be taking the first ferry after lunch heading back to SF, although some of you may wish to do that. Take your pick on the return.

Grace Floyd and Mary Ann Brown will be co-hosting the ride with me. Grace and I will be our the "Rusty Riders" group. Mary Ann will no doubt forge ahead with our intermediate and advanced riders. (Maybe we should call you all the "Speedsters" or something else that you may wish to suggest.) We are, proudly, a multi-level biking group and all are
welcome.

On Saturday, you can try to reach Grace on her cell phone: 510-847-0779. My cell phone is pretty useless, so try Grace. She’s always on top of things.

Neither Kathleen nor Patti can join us this time, so we are going to play it by ear as to who wants to lead the way . . . or we'll just meander on our own. You can't get lost since it's just a big circle. I'm expecting our best riders to go around more than once!

See you there!

Betty aka "Rusty"

=================================

2007-08-20T16:53:00.000-07:00

ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY!

August 13, 2006, was our first ride, from the Castro, through Golden Gate Park (see pic, left), to Ocean Beach, past the Zoo, around Lake Merced, and back again. We enjoyed a wonderful lunch at the end with a dozen-or-so women at a Thai restaurant. Betty’s List Ladies Go Biking now has more than 100 women on its mailing list, and new riders joining each month. Scroll down this page to see the routes we took over the last 12 months, and see some great pics of the fabulous women who came along for the ride.

If you have ideas for new rides in or near the Bay Area, or if you’d like to take your turn leading a ride, let Betty know!

AND NOW, IT’S TIME FOR…

***THE ANNIVERSARY RIDE***

RIDE #8

SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 2007

South Bay:

“Bicycle Sunday” Canada Rd. to Woodside (return)

RIDE LEADER
Kathleen’s still recovering from a badly sprained ankle, so Patti Segarini. will lead the ride this month. Thanks, Patti! Betty and Grace will follow up the rear!

SCHEDULE
9:30 - meeting time (collect maps, discuss route, check equipment)
10:00 am – ride out
11:00 am – rest stop (rest room) and buy lunch at Robert’s Market, Woodside
11:15 am – double back on Canada Rd. to Las Pulgas Temple for lunch
12:00 am – lunch at Las Pulgas Water Temple (water & toilets available)
12:30 pm – continue on Canada Rd. another 2 miles
12:45 pm - finish

PARKING
Park at the beginning of Canada Road, at the intersection of 280/Ralston and Canada Road. If there are no spaces left, there is additional parking available a short distance away on 280/Ralston at the intersection of 35/Skyline.

ROUTE
If you ride from one end of Canada Road to the other, it runs just under 15 miles for the round trip. No big hills, pretty good road surfaces, and just two stop signs! And if you just ride the Bicycle Sunday section, which runs between Edgewood Road and Highway 92 (Ralston), you're looking at an 8 mile roundtrip.

2007-05-23T14:54:00.000-07:00

JOIN US FOR...
RIDE #7

MONDAY, MAY 28

(Memorial Day)

10 AM - Bike Ride

12 PM - potluck BBQ, Jacuzzi, Pool

Betty's List Bikers at Patrizia's home in April

IT'S A DO-OVER!

We had such an awesome time in April,

we're repeating the same ride in May!

MARINA BAY
Bay Trail - northern extension

Kathleen's Italian friend, Patrizia, hosted our April ride from her new home at Marina Bay, Richmond, and has invited Betty's List Ladies Go Biking back again for another fabulous bike ride and BBQ, Jacuzz and heated pool!

There is a wonderful bike path leading from Marina Lakes to Berkeley/Emeryville (and back). Total distance is around 20 miles, but you can head back earlier if you (or your butt) prefer. Patrizia, btw, is a very experienced bicyclist. She used to participate in 70-mile races in Canada and Italy. If you need tips about your bike or your riding technique, she's a great person to get to know.

MEETING POINT

187 Shoreline Court, Richmond 94804,

inside The Shores complex.

Park you car here (at Patrizia's), put your food in the fridge, then head off on the bike ride.

Click here for map & directions.

At the entry to The Shores complex, there is the gate on the right. The combo is 5757. Proceed to condo #187 - the road veers to the left. Go to the third driveway/parking area.

PARKING

Park anywhere in the complex that DOES NOT have a canopy.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RIDE

This is a beautiful, flat ride on the newly opened Bay Trail northern extension. Take in beautiful views of wetlands and the Bay, abundant bird populations, and the Richmond Harbor Marina.

LUNCH DETAILS
Potluck BBQ starting at around 12:00 pm (after bike ride). Bring food/meat to grill as well as whatever you'd like to drink. Patrizia has a small BBQ on her deck, and there are additional BBQs in the two parks adjacent to her place. Patrizia has generously offered to provide coal, lighter and pasta salad. You may leave your food and/or drink items in her refrigerator before the ride.

JACUZZI & HEATED POOL

Bring swimsuit & towel! You may want to bring a hat, too.

2007-03-14T17:43:00.000-07:00

THIS COULD BE YOU!

Sawyer Camp Trail, Crystal Springs Reservoir

March 11, 2007

Participants:

Valerie, Vida, Mary-Anna, Rhonda, Bonnie, Jann, Marjorie, Nancy, Debbie, Deb, Maggie, Lynn, Karin, Martha, Marcia and Kathleen (plus about another half-dozen women)

JOIN US FOR...

RIDE #6

MARINA BAY

Bay Trail - northern extension

SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 10 AM

IN CASE OF RAIN:

There is 60% chance of rain, but we will still go ahead with food and Jacuzzi/pool even if it's raining. We can always hang out until the rain eases, too, and take a shorter ride. One way or another, we'll do something!

Kathleen's Italian friend, Patrizia, just moved into her new home at Marina Bay, Richmond, and has invited Betty's List Ladies Go Biking to her place for a bike ride and BBQ and Jacuzzi! There is a fabulous bike path leading from Marina Lakes to Berkeley/Emeryville (and back). Total distance is around 20 miles, but you can head back earlier if you (or your butt) prefer. Patrizia, btw, is a very experienced bicyclist. She used to participate in 70-mile races in Canada and Italy. If you need tips about your bike or your riding technique, she's a great person to get to know.

MEETING POINT
187 Shoreline Court, Richmond 94804 (The Shores complex).

Click here for map & directions.

At the entry, it is the gate on the right (combo 5757)
Proceed to #187 - road veers to the left - 3rd driveway/parking area.

PARKING
We may park anywhere in the complex that does not have a canopy.

BIKE TRAIL
Click on this link for a detailed description of the route (although we'll be going FROM Marina to Berkley and back again).

http://missinglink.org/Pages/BaytrailNorth.html

This is a beautiful, flat ride on the newly opened Bay Trail northern extension. Take in beautiful views of wetlands and the Bay, abundant bird populations, and the Richmond Harbor Marina.

LUNCH DETAILS

Potluck BBQ - bring food/meat to grill as well as whatever you'd like to drink. Patrizia has a small BBQ on her deck, and there are additional BBQs in the two parks adjacent to her place. Patrizia has generously offered to provide coal, lighter and pasta salad. You may leave your food and/or drink items in her refrigerator before the ride.

JACUZZI
Bring swimsuit!

REMINDER - GROUP BOOKING TO SF GAY MEN'S CHORUS CONCERT
Betty has organized a special discount for our biking group. The concert on Monday, April 30, 7 pm at Davies Symphony Hall also includes the 50-piece Community Women's Orchestra, the remarkable Connie Champagne, and of course Dr. Kathleen McGuire will conduct.

For more concert details, visit: http://fromthepodium.blogspot.com

To receive the discount, call Tony at the Box Office and identify yourself as part of Betty's group. Ph: 415-865-ARTS (2787).

Return to Betty's List

2007-01-10T06:56:00.000-08:00

RIDE #5

SUNDAY, MARCH 11

Crystal Springs Reservoir - Sawyer Camp Trail

***UPDATE***

REVISED ROUTE & MEETING PLACE
Total ride: 12 miles

***SPRING FORWARD***
Daylight Saving Begins Today

The ride follows along part of the San Andreas Fault in San Mateo County, but don’t worry – we’ll be safe! The Crystal Springs Reservoir fills a portion of the rift valley of the San Andreas Fault. The Reservoir’s dam was built in 1888. Although the fault line of the San Andreas Rift is only 400 feet west of the dam (along the road and paths we'll follow on our ride), the dam showed no damage from the 1906 earthquake or the 1989, 7.1 Loma Prieta quake :-)

DIRECTIONS
From San Francisco:

Head south on I-280 approx. 22 miles. Take Half Moon Bay/ Hwy 92 West exit. There is a stop sign at the end of the short ramp. Turn right onto 35/Skyline Blvd. On your left, you'll pass a minor entrance first, but keep going to the main entrance at the stop sign at the Crystal Springs Rd. intersection.

Meet at the Sawyer Camp Trail main entrance.

SCHEDULE
(don't forget to SPRING FORWARD - daylight saving begins today)
10:00 am - meet at Sawyer Camp Trail main entrance
10:15 am - Begin bike ride, Sawyer Camp Trail (out and back, 6 miles each way)
11:30 am - drive to nearby Our Place II Restaurant for lunch

ROUTE
Sawyer Camp Trail is an awesome multi-use path for bikes, hikers, roller blades etc. Most of the Trail is flat or gently undulating with beautiful views of Crystal Springs Reservoir. There is one very short, steep uphill section, but inexperienced riders can simply walk up this. The downhill on the way back is definitely worth it! There are no traffic lights to deal with, and everyone can ride at their own pace. Be warned, however, that the speed limit on the path is 15 mph.

LUNCH
After the ride, we'll meet at a nearby (1 mile away) restaurant called Our Place II Family Restaurant (family-style, inexpensive with plenty of parking, serving Italian, Mexican, burgers, sandwiches, soup, salad, beer & wine) at Crystal Springs Village. If you're very energetic, you could ride your bike to the restaurant, but the Bunker Hill Rd. coming back is very steep.

Our Place II - Family Restaurant, Crystals Springs Village
742 Polhemus Road, San Mateo, CA 94402
Ph: (650) 638-1034

Click here for INTERACTIVE MAP

DIRECTIONS TO RESTAURANT
1) Go to Bunker Hill Rd. (south of our meeting place)
2) Head east on Bunker Hill Rd. for approx. 1.2 miles until you reach Polhemus Rd.
3) Turn Right onto Polhemus. The restaurant is located on your right almost immediately (before you reach De Anza Blvd.)

FACILITIES
This ride has limited facilities. There are primitive public restrooms along Sawyer Camp Trail, but there are no stores along the route. Crystal Springs Village is a short drive away (1.2 miles), including Safeway, gas station, restaurants and many other stores.

WHAT TO BRING & SAFETY TIPS
Don't forget to bring your bike helmet, ID, money and camera. For more tips on safety, what to bring and other information, visit Kathleen's bike safety blog:

http://bikesafetyetc.blogspot.com/

PLEASE VISIT THIS PAGE AGAIN SOON FOR FURTHER UPDATES.

Return to Betty's List

Visit From The Podium

Read Kathleen McGuire's Bio

Take Note
SF Gay Men's Chorus's NEW
email newsletter,
is now available!
Get the inside scoop
about upcoming events.

Insert your
email address here:

2006-11-15T17:42:00.000-08:00

Always "REFRESH"
your screen for updates on this site.

BETTY'S LIST
LADIES GO BIKING

CLINIC & RIDE #4
SPORTS BASEMENT & PRESIDIO
Sunday, November 19, 2006

10 am: Sports Basement Bike Clinic

11 am: Shopping spree, special discount for Betty's List Ladies Go Biking!

11:30 am: Bike ride through Presidio

12:30 pm: Picnic lunch at Warming Hut, Crissy Field

SPORTS BASEMENT CLINIC & SHOPPING - 10 am

Bike Clinic & discounted shopping! A certified bike mechanic at Sports Basement will provide a free clinic on basic bike maintenance - suitable for beginners through to experienced riders who need a refresher. After the clinic, take advantage of a generous, exclusive discount for Betty's List Ladies Go Biking and buy some great gear for yourself as well as holiday gifts. There is a HUGE parking lot.

Click here to see what items Sports Basement has in stock, including some of their current items on sale: SPORTS BASEMENT SALE ITEMS

Presidio Sports Basement:

610 Mason Street
The Presidio
San Francisco, CA 94129
Ph: 415-437-0100

M-F 9am-8pm Sat. & Sun. 8am-7pm

Driving Directions & Public Transportation Information:

Note: There are two Mason Streets in San Francisco. Sports Basement is located in the Presidio NOT the Financial District.

From the North Bay:
Hwy 101 South toward S.F. (Across the Golden Gate Bridge). Exit Lombard St. From the right lane, take a sharp right onto Gorgas Ave. Stay left on Gorgas. Right onto Halleck. Follow Halleck to Mason St. Left onto Mason. Sports Basement's Presidio store is on Mason St., approximately 500 yards past the Crissy Field center on the left.

From the South Bay:
Hwy 101 North to Highway 80 East (towards Bay Bridge). Exit 7th St. Left onto 7th St. Left onto McAllister St. Right onto Franklin St. Left onto Lombard St. Stay in far left lane (Lombard Street veers to the left) and enter the Presidio through the Lombard Gate. Right onto Letterman Dr. Right onto Lincoln Blvd. Right onto Halleck. At the bottom of the hill turn left onto Mason Street. Sports Basement's Presidio store is on Mason St., approximately 500 yards past the Crissy Field center on the left.

From the East Bay (Bay Bridge):
West across the Bay Bridge (Hwy. 80). Exit Harrison St. Right onto Harrison St. Left onto The Embarcadero. Left onto Bay St. Right onto Laguna. Laguna turns into Marina Blvd. From Marina Blvd: Drive along Marina Blvd (west toward Golden Gate Bridge) to the stop sign at the Marina Gate. Stay in the right lane, cross the intersection where Marina Blvd. turns into Mason Street. (Note: Unless you want to see our store from the Golden Gate Bridge, the left lane turns into Hwy 101 and will lead you over the Golden Gate Bridge). Sports Basement's Presidio store is on Mason St., approximately 500 yards past the Crissy Field center on the left.

The following MUNI routes provide service inside the Presidio:
29 Sunset, 43 Masonic, 82X Levi Plaza/CalTrain Express

For additional information:
http://www.presidio.gov/Visiting/DirectionsShuttle/PublicTransit/

PRESIDIO BIKE RIDE - 11:30 am

BELOW: see complete turn-by-turn directions for the ride! There are many wonderful natural and historic sites to visit in the Presidio, plus some new attractions such as the fountain statue of Yoda (yes, that's Yoda from Star Wars!) at the new Lucasfilm Presidio Campus.

To view a detailed map of the route, go to:

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/SPORTS-BASEMENT-PRESIDIO-WARMING-HUT

The route includes some short uphill and fun downhill sections, plus some longer flat paths with beautiful scenery. The roads in the Presidio include some wonderful sections meandering through stands of eucalyptus trees and old buildings. The route is about 7.5 miles in total and can be shortened if necessary.

ROUTE DESCRIPTION

We'll begin at Sports Basement after the clinic, then head up into the Presidio towards the National Cemetery. Staying on Lincoln Blvd, we'll pass the Golden Gate Bridge entrance (unless you're particularly enthusiastic and want to leave the group and add the Bridge to your route), then travel alongside some lovely old and refurbished Presidio buildings.

Returning back to Lincoln Blvd and passing the Cemetery again, we'll go into the Main Post and stop for a rest at the OFFICERS' CLUB & VISITORS CENTER. There are food and restrooms, bike parking, and also some wonderful history to learn about. [If you feel like it, you may like to leave a small donation at the Visitors Center - they were very helpful in planning this outing.]

Then, we'll head down to the new Lucasfilm buildings and drop by YODA'S
STATUE. Leaving the Presidio, we'll pass by the newly-opened PALACE OF FINE ARTS and its lake. Great photo opp! We'll then return to the bike path at the Marina and head west into Crissy Field. The path passes by Sports Basement (so if you need to leave early, you can simply end herre). The path continues on to the Warming Hut. Here, we'll gather for a picnic lunch (you may purchase food at the cafe or bring your own).

To download a detailed map of the Presidio, including many highlights of the area, click on this link, then click on "Download a Presidio Map":

http://www.presidio.gov/directions/visitor.htm

Check out these links for more information about the Presidio:

http://www.presidio.gov/experiences/preview.htm

http://www.presidio.gov/experiences/trails.htm

BIKE RIDE TURN-BY-TURN DIRECTIONS

SPORTS BASEMENT - PRESIDIO - WARMING HUT

7.5 MILES

…with options for shorter or longer rides (see below₎

1	Start: Sports Basement
2	Right (east) on Mason St. After about a block you’ll pass the Crissy Field Center.
3	Right on Halleck St. Cross under 101. Slight uphill follows.
4	Right on Lincoln Blvd. Stop at the stop light and wait for Lincoln traffic.
5	On Lincoln, on your right you’ll pass the Fire House and the Post Office. Veer slightly right after the Post Office onto a one-way section. An uphill section follows briefly. Make sure to stop at the stop sign at the Sheridan Ave intersection (opposite the National Cemetery). Stay on Lincoln – downhill now!
6	OPTION FOR SHORTER RIDE: GO DIRECTLY TO STEP 17, omitting directions 7 - 16 (Turn Left onto Sheridan instead of continuing on Lincoln)
7	Continuing on Lincoln, cross under 101. Make sure to stop at the stop sign at Crissy Field Ave as there are often police here. Note: Lincoln intersects with Long Ave. Veer left and stay on Lincoln – going uphill.
8	OPTION FOR LONGER RIDE: Leave the route here and ride across the Golden Gate Bridge. Return back Lincoln Blvd and return to the planned route
9	Cross under 101 again and keep heading uphill. Soon after passing Storey Ave, you’ll reach a stop sign. That’s the end of the uphill for a while.
10	Left(ish) on Ralston Ave. You will see a sign: Service Vehicles Only. Follow alongside the abandoned buildings, then a block later:
11	Right on Greenough –lined with eucalyptus trees. After a short block:
12	Left on Kobbe Ave. – be careful when turning as this is a “blind” intersection. Along Kobbe, check out the stunning, refurbished homes on Officers’ Row.
13	Left on Park Blvd. You will pass an elementary school.
14	Right on Lincoln Blvd. Head uphill again for a while.
15	Right onto Sheridan Ave. at the Cemetery Gate.
16	Option – visit the Cemetery: if you wish to take a short rest now and enter the Cemetery, note that you are not permitted to ride your bike there. There are no signs indicating this, however, but I found out the hard way when I was asked to dismount!
17	Along Sheridan there are some confusing intersections. Make sure to stay on Sheridan, and stop at the stop signs (watch for police).
18	Right on Graham St. Graham dead-ends into Moraga.
19	Left on Moraga Ave.
20	REST STOP : OFFICERS’ CLUB & VISITORS CENTER About half a block down on Moraga on your right is the OFFICERS’ CLUB AND VISITOR CENTER at 50 Moraga Ave. There are restrooms, food and interesting history to investigate! If you like, make a donation (the guys at the Visitor Center were very helpful in putting together this route and also providing maps gratis). There are bike racks across the street and also behind the building. If you choose to go behind, continue on Moraga, turn right and then right again. A dead-end street ends with the bike racks. There is a rear entrance to the building.
21	Continue on Moraga Ave. for a short block, then
22	Left on Funston. The street sign for Funston is hard to see, so look for a big yellow arrow pointing left. Head down Funston for a long block, then:
23	Right on Presidio. Fun downhill, but don’t go too fast as there’s a stop sign at the bottom.
24	Cross Lincoln carefully (lots of traffic) and continue straight ahead (or “gaily forward”) on Letterman Drive.
25	OPTIONAL – visit the statue of YODA. On your left, off Letterman, is a short side road that is basically a driveway for the Letterman Digital Arts Center. The Yoda Statue is at the west end of the driveway among some trees in a building alcove. It’s very close to the road.
26	Continue on Letterman.
27	Left on Lombard St. At the Lomard Gate:
28	Left on Lyon, then after one block:
29	Right on Chestnut. At Richardson, cross at the lights.
30	Left on Richardson, then immediately RIGHT ON BAKER. Stay on Baker all the way to Marina. Stop at the stop signs – there are often police in the area.
31	OPTIONAL – Palace of Fine Arts is on your left. Great photo opp! Newly opened since renovations & repair work.
32	Baker St. dead-ends at Marina. WALK YOUR BIKE across the pedestrian crossing
33	Left (west) onto bike path, heading into Crissy Field. Follow the bike path all the way to the Warming Hut (approx. 1.5 miles). You’ll pass Sports Basement on your left, so you can shorten your ride and end at Sports Basement if you wish.
34	Warming Hut is located at the end of the bike path. There is a café, picnic tables and restrooms. After lunch, double back on the bike path.
35	Return to Sports Basement. Happy Thanksgiving!

Shorter Ride (omit directions 7 – 16)

This option avoids uphill sections and allows extra time for the National Cemetery, Visitors Center, Palace of Fine Arts, Warming Hut etc: Instead of continuing on Lincoln Blvd.: at the National Cemetery, turn left onto Sheridan Street and follow directions from 17 onwards.

Option for Longer Ride – Golden Gate Bridge (see direction 8)

If you wish to go for a longer ride, you may leave the route from Lincoln Blvd (uphill section), cross the Golden Gate Bridge, then return to the route after returning to Lincoln Blvd.

PICNIC LUNCH AT WARMING HUT - 12:30 pm

Bring your own food or buy something at the Warming Hut cafe. There are picnic tables outside.

Located at the west end of the Crissy Field Promenade, and operated by the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, the Warming Hut café and bookstore occupies a restored historic warehouse with a magnificent Golden Gate Bridge view. The Warming Hut was renovated using "green" products such as recycled-denim cotton wall insulation, formaldehyde-free cabinetry, water-based paints, and certified or salvaged wood for floors and furniture. Reach them by phone at (415) 561-3042.

WHAT TO BRING & SAFETY TIPS
Don't forget to bring your bike helmet, ID, money and camera! For more tips on safety, what to bring and other information, visit Kathleen's bike safety blog:

http://bikesafetyetc.blogspot.com/

Return to Betty's List

2006-10-06T14:01:00.000-07:00

BETTY'S LIST
LADIES GO BIKING

RIDE #3
ANGEL ISLAND
Saturday, October 28, 2006

ANGEL ISLAND

Often referred to as the "Jewel of the San Francisco Bay", Angel Island is a great place to spend an unforgettable day. This gem of the California State Park system offers panoramic vistas of the entire Bay, and picture-postcard views of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Skyline, Marin, and Mt. Tamalpais. A clear day on the island is referred to as a 5 bridge day, when from the top of Mt. Livermore hikers can view the Golden Gate, Bay, Richmond/San Rafael, San Mateo and the Dumbarton bridges. A Califorina State Park and Wildlife preserve, Angel Island is, perhaps one of the finest historical sites in the Bay Area and includes military garrisons and compounds from every major war dating back to the U.S. Civil War. Also known as the "Ellis Island of the West”, Angel Island's Immigration Station was the first stop for millions of Pacific Basin, Asian and Russian immigrants entering the United States. For more information and a Live Cam of the Island, visit: http://www.angelisland.com/

STEP 1: FERRY TO ANGEL ISLAND*
9:45 am - Depart Pier 41
10:10 am - Arrive Angel Island
(Ferry is $14.50 return)

*If you're traveling from Tiburon or Oakland, there are other ferries you may take to Angel Island - information is available at:

http://www.blueandgoldfleet.com/

STEP 2: RIDE AROUND THE ISLAND!
Enjoy spectacular views from 8 miles of traffic-free, paved biking paths (Perimeter Rd. shown on map below) suitable for beginners and intermediates on all types of bikes. The more advanced mountain biker can also find a challenge on steeper, unpaved trails off the main road. Take your time and explore this fascinating island. For more details about what to see and do at Angel Island, visit: www.AngelIsland.com

STEP 3: LUNCH
12:00 pm - Meet for a light picnic lunch at Ayala Cove near the Angel Island ferry terminal

STEP 4: FERRY TO SAN FRANCISCO
12:50 pm - depart Angel Island
1:35 pm - arrive Pier 41

If you opt to stay longer, the next ferry leaves Angel Island at 3:00 pm

COST
Ferry: $14.50 (cash)
Lunch: see details below
Optional: Bike Rental $10/hr or $30/day

BIKE: You may bring your own bike on the ferry, or rent a bike on the Island: $10/hr or $30/day. To rent a bike on the Island, a security deposit or drivers license is required. Visa and MasterCard accepted. For more details, visit: http://www.angelisland.com/

LUNCH - A NOTE FROM BETTY:

Regarding food for our Saturday bike ride, the Angel Island web site indicates that the Cove Café will be open. I was not able to reach the staff this past week as they were away on a staff retreat. Thus, we didn’t have the option of ordering picnic lunches as a group.

So, you have the options of (1) bringing your own food; (2) relying on the accuracy of the web site and planning to purchase food at Cove Café; or (3) bringing along some food and planning to also purchase food at Cove Café.

I'm planning to go with #3 so that I have plenty of water and some snacks with me “just in case,” but I also hope to enjoy the Café fare as well.

WHAT TO BRING & SAFETY TIPS
Don't forget to bring your camera! For more tips on safety, what to bring and other information, visit Kathleen's bike safety blog: http://bikesafetyetc.blogspot.com/

RIDE LEADER
To learn more about ride leader Dr. Kathleen McGuire, visit: http://kathleenmcguire.blogspot.com

Return to BETTY'S LIST

2006-09-12T11:23:00.000-07:00

BETTY'S LIST LADIES GO BIKING

RIDE # 2
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO TO TIBURON - RETURN VIA FERRY
DETAILS REVISED WED. SEPT. 13

SCHEDULE

9:30 am - meet at corner of Marina Blvd. and Buchanan St., opposite Safeway (plenty of free parking). Click here for MAP.
11:30 am - lunch in Tiburon at Guaymas Restaurant (Mexican, with full bar)
2:00 pm - ferry departs Tiburon ($8.50 adult one-way)
2:25 pm - arrive Pier 41 (Embarcadero @ Powell)

ROUTE

The ride is around 16 miles, is mainly flat and takes 1.5 - 2 hrs for most riders (plus the ferry ride, which is about 30 min.). Note that it can be warmer on the north side of the Bridge, so dress appropriately. This ride is probably easier than the first one we did because there are more downhill sections, fewer uphill, fewer roads and stop signs to negotiate, and some long easy stretches of bike path.

It is very important to follow the road rules, especially in Sausalito as the police have been cracking down and issuing citations. Here's a link to more details: CycleCitations.

We'll start at the corner of Marina and Buchanan, located opposite Safeway just outside Fort Mason. There is plenty of parking in the Yacht Club lots, but don't park in any of the "red" spaces as they're reserved for Yacht Club members. If you park here, it's a short bike ride back from Pier 41 after the ferry ride.

From the Marina Green, we'll follow the main bike path north through Crissy Field, then turn left at Halleck (near Sports Basement) and ride up into the Presidio. Turn right onto Lincoln Blvd. and then follow Lincoln past the post office and the military cemetery. There is a downhill section leading towards the Golden Gate Bridge parking lot but be careful to stop at the stop sign at Crissy Field Rd. as there are often police there to hand out tickets to wayward cyclists!

From there, we'll continue on Lincoln up to the Golden Gate Bridge parking lot, then over the Bridge itself on the east side of the bridge. We'll be sharing the path with pedestrians. Note that while it can be windy crossing the Bridge, the tourists are the most dangerous factor as they are so awestruck by the Bridge they forget what day it is! Make sure to call out when you're approaching pedestrians or other cyclists ("on your left," "bike coming through").

After crossing the Bridge, we'll rest for a moment at the parking lot and have a photo opp with the group with the Bridge in the background. We'll then take Alexander Avenue down to Bridgeway. On the first downhill, make sure to pick up some momentum to get you over the hill that follows. Then there's a fast, fun downhill leading to a sharp hair-pin turn (15 mph) into Sausalito.

Be careful to ride single-file on the road and watch for car doors (those tourists again!). We'll follow Bridgeway through Sausalito, along the waterfront, and then move onto the Bridgeway Bike Path at Mike's Bikes. The path passes through the Bothin Marsh Open Space Preserve that is habitat for myriad birds and other wildlife.

When the bike path reaches East Blithedale Avenue, we'll head east on the road. There is a slight uphill for a short time, but it soon levels out again. This road eventually becomes Tiburon Boulevard - be careful crossing the freeway ramps - and branches off to an awesome bike path at Greenwood Cove (watch for the green bike signs) that meandears along magnificent cove waterfront, park and golf course.

The bike path ends in Tiburon. We follow about another half a mile on Tiburon Blvd. then stop at the Main St. intersection where we'll have lunch at Guyamas Restaurant (Mexican, with full bar) and then hop onto the ferry (which leave from directly behind the restaurant). Remember to bring a lock so that your bike will be securely lined up for the ferry while we eat lunch. The ferry fare is $8.50.

Tiburon

After reaching Pier 41, the route back to Marina Green is less than a mile. Follow along Embarcadero west until reaching the end and continue forward to the beach. There is a bike path along the beach that eventually reaches a road. Turn right onto the road and just before entering the jetty, and turn left up a very steep path (there will probably be lots of other cyclists so just follow them). Inexperienced riders should walk up this hill. It's not long, but it's steep. At the top of the hill, get back on the bike and follow the path into Fort Mason Park. Keep right on the path and go down a steep section to Laguna St. Turn right. The road then veers left onto Marina Blvd., and Buchanan St. is just one block ahead. Fort Mason is on the right. We're now back at our starting point.

Of course any women feeling especially gung-ho may wish to retrace our path from Tiburon and bike back to San Francisco, but be warned that the hills are very steep in Sausalito heading back up to the Golden Gate Bridge.

Anyone wishing to take a shorter route due to time contraints may wish to return to San Francisco after crossing the Golden Gate Bridge.

FERRY DETAILS

The Tiburon Blue and Gold Ferry dock is located behind Guayma's Restarant. One-Way Adult fare is $8.50. We plan to catch the 2:00 pm ferry, returning to Pier 41 at 2:25 pm. Note that there is a limit of 15 bikes per ferry, but they leave approx. every 30 min. so if we miss one we won't have to wait long for the next (and beers or icecream are nearby while we wait).

FERRY TIMETABLE

Ferries leave Tiburon approximately every 30 minutes. For full details, visit: http://www.blueandgoldfleet.com/TiburonSchedule.htm

Go to Betty's List

2006-08-09T19:26:00.000-07:00

BETTY'S LIST LADIES GO BIKING

RIDE #1:
CASTRO TO LAKE MERCED
Sunday, August 13, meet at 9:30 am

Departing from Thai Corner Express, Market St. @ 15th Street (Castro neighborhood)
Optional lunch after ride at the restaurant at approx. 1 pm
Rain Cancels (but we'll still meet for lunch at 1 pm!)
Speed - we'll go at your speed, probably ranging from 6 - 12 mph (breaking into smaller groups as necessary)

RIDE LEADERS
Seeing as so many women have expressed interest in coming along this Sunday, we now have three leaders:

Kathleen McGuire
Jen Fleet
Mary Vencill

All three have completed the AIDS LifeCycle ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Mary has done it multiple times, and has even been an official Training Ride Leader with ALC.

NEED TO RENT A BIKE?
Stow Lake Bike & Boat Rentals, 50 Stow Lake Dr., (415) 752-0347
Golden Gate Park Bike and Skate: 3038 Fulton St., (415) 668-1117
American Cyclery: 510 Frederick St. and 858 Stanyan St., (415) 664-4545
Avenue Cyclery: 756 Stanyan St., (415) 387-3155
Park Cyclery, 1749 Waller St., (415) 221-3777

ARE YOU UP TO THIS RIDE?
As with any physical activity - even a social bike ride such as this – please discuss your participation with a medical professional.

ROUTE
Most of this route is flat and manageable for riders of virtually any level. Betty and Kathleen did a trial run on Tuesday. Betty hasn’t been on a bike in quite a while and she did just fine. A lot of this route is on bike paths and closed roads, so this ride is bound to help "rusty" riders feel confident again.

Check out this map of the route, which includes some personalized notes along the way. It's WAY COOL to view it in HYBRID format - select *hybrid* then zoom in. http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Castro-to-Lake-Merced

The route isn’t set in stone, but this gives you a basic idea of where we’ll go:

Starting at Market @ Sanchez, we’ll head up Sanchez to Steiner, then up to Scott St. then to Fell (doing the “wiggle”, for those who know this area – see the green bike route signs along the way). There’s a wee hill here, but only for about a block.

On Fell Street, we’ll leave the road at Baker and enter the Panhandle – very nice bike path meandering through the trees.

We’ll return to Fell St. just before reaching Stanyan, then enter Golden Gate Park. Riding on Kennedy Dr. (closed to auto traffic on Sundays), we’ll pass the Conservatory of Flowers, the Rainbow Waterfall, Spreckels Lake, and if they’re around, the Bison. Lots of fabulous photo opps and some fun downhills, too. (We’ll take a slightly different route through the Park coming back to the Castro later on.)

Once through the Park, we’ll cruise along the beach bike path on the east side of the Great Highway. Don’t forget to check out the beautiful ocean views!

We’ll have a restroom stop at the parking lot at Sloat Blvd. and watch the surfers while we’re resting.

Then it's onto the Great Highway for a short time and up the biggest hill for the day – it’s not long and is very rewarding. We'll cheer you on!

Once up the hill, we’ll get into the left lane for the downhill – Lake Merced is at the bottom of the hill.

The route so far is 5 miles. The path around Lake Merced is another 5 miles – a circuit back to the same point.

SHORTER ROUTE?
Anyone who’s very tired or especially slow who wants to omit the ride around the Lake may start heading back at this point. There’s a very hip, bike-friendly coffee shop/café called Java Beach on Judah St., just off the bike path. Worth a stop if you have time or just need a rest (they have restrooms, too).

The path around the Lake is quite beautiful. Mostly flat, but a few ups and downs here and there. It can be crowded at times with walkers and runners, so care should be taken to call out “on your left” when passing, and always ride in single file.

RETURNING FROM THE LAKE

We’ll head back over that hill again (on the flip side it’s shorter but a bit steeper) on the Great Highway, then down the hill towards the Zoo (this hill is LOTS of fun – speeds of up to 35 mph are possible). After crossing Sloat, we’re back on the bike path again.

At the Lincoln Rd. intersection, we’ll head back into Golden Gate Park, but this time following MLK Jr. Dr. There are a few short hills to negotiate going this way, but it’s far less daunting than the interminable rise over on Kennedy Dr. We’ll cross back to Kennedy Dr. again on the Music Concourse by the De Young Museum, past the Conservatory of Flowers again, then back to the Panhandle. It’s all downhill from here!

When reaching Baker St., we’ll turn right then a block later left onto Oak St., over Divisadero, then down to Scott Street. From Scott, we’ll wiggle over to Steiner. At Duboce, do a “dog leg” over to Sanchez. Be careful to cross the trolley tracks at a right angle. Follow Sanchez all the way to Market Street, and we’re back at our starting point in time for lunch at Thai Corner Express.

The entire route is about 15 miles (33 kilometers). The shorter route (without the Lake circuit) is about 10 miles.

Betty said: “I had no idea how flat it would be from the Castro to Golden Gate Park.”

Betty and Kathleen did the shorter route (10 miles) in 3 hours, with many stops to get her seat adjusted “just right” and to make notes about the ride.

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