Alpine Dam Bike Ride
- Good for Kids:
- No
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5 reviews for Alpine Dam Bike Ride
5 reviews in English
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Review from Ryan J.
Oakland, CA
4/23/2012
Wow! This ride is killer; killer views, killer workout, killer payoff. If you are coming from San Francisco, you'll pass through several little towns leading up to Fairfax. From there, prepare yourself because the climb to Alpine Dam is not for the novice cycler. Once you reach Alpine Dam, more climbing through the redwoods (ahh, the redwoods) and to the start of the Seven Sisters.
Did you bring your sunscreen? Plenty of water? There is no shade along the Seven Sisters route, it is easy to overheat and your quads may feel like jelly by "sister" number five. Hang in there, you'll have plenty of recovery time as you coast into Mill Valley for a stop at Joe's Taco Lounge & Salsa. Yum! -
Review from carlos a.
2/20/2011 8 photos
One of my favorite rides...ever.
This ride is not for the faint of heart. If you hate climbing and are afraid of fast descents this is not the ride for you. You will climb from sea level to about 2,000 feet at the top of Mt Tam.
On the upside, killer views of the ocean and mountains.
I would break this ride up into 3 parts.
Part 1: SF to Fairfax. This part is pretty easy and flat. About 18 miles. You should stop and take a break at the coffee place and grab water or a bathroom break at the park in Fairfax.
Part 2: Climb up and into the dam. This part is pretty intense. You should have a good amount of shade so enjoy it.
Part 3: Climb out of the dam to Panoramic highway to Mill Valley again. Some pretty views of the Pacific Ocean but pretty steep climbs. The descent into Mill Valley is pretty epic and the views are unparalleled.
Once you get to Mill valley you're back on the path to Sausalito and once you get over the Sausalito hill to get on the bridge you're home.
See ride data: http://connect.garmin.... -
Review from Brian T.
San Francisco, CA
1/25/2010 3 photos
Fifty-five miles of moderate/advanced riding. This route also offers some of the most beautiful scenery in Marin County (that would be easier to enjoy if my quads weren't melting from all the brutal climbs): small hamlets, winding forest roads, and a view of the ocean and Stinson Beach that can't be beat.
More details about the ride: I like to divide this ride into three parts:
Part 1: the Warm Up: San Francisco to Fairfax. It's actually the longest single part of the ride (20 miles) but also the easiest, with nothing that should tax a decent rider. Regroup at the Coffee Roasters.
Part 2: the Climbs: Fairfax to Tamalpais. I further divide this section into 3 discrete climbs. The first is long and steady before descending down to the dam (8 miles). Catch your breath and enjoy the view before attacking 2.5 miles of steep, unrelenting climbing (~800 feet), complete with switchbacks. Praise the shade and cool air! Make it to Ridgecrest and take some water and power gel. Part three is the Seven Sisters: up, down, up, down. If you're not too tired, pick your head up and take in the amazing views that go for miles.
Part 3: Heading for Home. This final stretch begins with a long, fast (and much needed) downhill. Unfortunately, the wind chill can be brutal here. And watch your speed. From there it's primarily flat, and wouldn't be difficult except your legs are spent by now. A few short climbs from Sausalito up to the Bridge and you're home free! -
Review from Hernan S.
San Francisco, CA
5/29/2011
Did this ride this morning, going counter-clockwise. Started at Java Hut and had a really fun spin. The climbs were moderate but not as challenging as other rides in the area. The views of the coast were spectacular. Riding through Mill Valley and the other small towns on this route was a treat... there were lots of cyclists of all sorts out (my ride was Sunday morning). Definitely a ride to do, I will be doing it again.
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Review from Brian J.
San Francisco, CA
1/10/2008
A fairly moderate ride starting from the Golden Gate Bridge. This ride takes you through most of the small towns in Marin County.
Sausalito, Mill Valley, Corte Madera, Larkspur, Kent, Ross, San Anselmo, Fairfax. Once you get into Fairfax you take a right onto Bolinas/Fairfax road past the golf course then down to Alpine Dam. There's no Dam tour guide here or Dam bathroom or Dam gift shop, just nature around you, look over the dam if you're not scared of heights. This is also a good spot for a quick energy bar cuz it's uphill from here. You will go through some switchbacks here with trees and lots of ferns to cover you from the midday sun (if it's sunny out). When you get to the top take a left on Ridgecrest Blvd. I don't know why it's called a Blvd.? I usually associate Blvd. with large city streets. anyways, this section is often called the "Seven Sisters" aptly named bcuz of the rolling hills which can be deceptively hard with a lot of false flats. Once past the "7 Sisters" you will come to a large fork in the road with pit toilets by the parking lot, from here you can either take an out and back trip up East Ridgecrest to the top of Mt. Tam or start going down Pan Toll, Panoramic and Shoreline which will take you back to Mill Valley/Sausalito. When you get back to Sausalito, riders often stop at the Caffe Trieste right on Bridgeway for lunch and a nice cappuccino but that will be for another review.
Good Luck and may the wind always be at your back.Listed in: cycling is my life
