Marin Stinson Beach/Muir Woods Loop. This 30-mile bike loop has some challenging climbs, well rewarded with a variety of beautiful views, just a few of which are shown here. Like the previous hike, this route takes you through hardwood forests, redwood forests, and over rolling grasslands. A good place to start is at the junction of Panoramic Highway and Muir Woods Road, about three-quarters of a mile north of Highway 1. Follow Panoramic Highway north, then west, for about 2.7 miles until you come to Pan Toll Road/Mountain Theater Road. Turn right on Pan Toll Road and follow it for about 0.6 mile to Ridgecrest Boulevard. Turn left and follow Ridgecrest north for about 3.2 miles, turning left onto Bolinas-Fairfax Road.

You now have a couple of miles of curvy downhill through beautiful hardwood forest. Even on glorious summer weekends you will encounter few cars on this road, which brings you out to the north end of Bolinas Lagoon. Turn left on Highway 1 and follow it alongside the large lagoon, which provides great opportunities for viewing wildlife, including seals and many bird species.

Continue south on Highway 1 to Stinson Beach, where you can buy lunch at the general store or eat in one of the restaurants lining the main drag through town. Recharge your batteries with a rest on the beach, then head north on Highway 1 for about 4.3 miles, enjoying beautiful coastal views that extend well down the San Francisco Peninsula. Turn left onto Muir Woods Road, which will take you through the redwood groves of Muir Woods back up to your starting point at Panoramic Highway.

Mines Road. This country ride with very little traffic (after the first several miles) starts on the east side of the City of Livermore and climbs up into beautiful grassy hillsides and oak woodlands, paralleling Alameda Creek for many miles. My favorite time to do this ride is in April or early May, when some of the high meadows are covered with orange, purple, and yellow carpets of wildflowers. Be advised that temperatures can exceed 100 degrees in the summer. The route is simple: just follow Mines Road as far as you like, then turn around and come back. You can take Mines Road all the way south to the top of Mt. Hamilton, about 46 miles one way (about 23 miles out the road becomes San Antonio Valley Road/Highway 130).

You can start in town or drive east on South Livermore Avenue, which becomes Tesla Road, then turn right on Mines Road. If you start in town, such as from the library, be sure to pick up the nice paved bike path that runs between Concannon Boulevard and Mines Road, on the south side of the road. If you start at the beginning of Mines Road, you can warm up on about 3.4 miles of flat road through vineyards and ranch land, or you can bypass the heavier traffic on this stretch and begin at the junction of Mines Road and Del Valle Road. Either way, don't miss this junction, where Mines Road continues via a left turn. From here on out you have nothing but solitude and beautiful views. You'll climb for a couple of miles, then enjoy many miles of roller coaster hills along ridge tops. 

Calaveras Road. This is another out-and-back route on winding hillside roads, with scenic views of Calaveras Reservoir. Start in the City of Milpitas on the east side of town, at Calaveras Road and Evans Road. Follow this scenic hilly route for about 16 miles to Interstate 680, then turn around and retrace your tracks. Keep an eye out for bald eagles.

                  (Thanks to Tage Bjorklund for this photo!)