Winter travel in Riv country

[Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery]

I'm going to visit the SF area this winter. I plan to live mostly outside on my bike or in my tent for about 10 days. I'm accustomed to and well equipped for (mostly) dry, cold Minnesota winter, but I suppose wool and rain gear will keep me comfy enough in the SF area's warmer, moister winter weather. Any local knowledge about weather and how to dress for it will be appreciated.

Secondly: I have been studying maps of all the lovely places encompassed by the GGNRA, and also Mount Diablo. But there's so much that looks great! Any must-ride routes? Suggestions for guerilla camping, or even, perish the thought, official campsites?

[Manuel Acosta]

Weather wise you'll be fine.It doesn't get really bad here compared to other parts of the country. Our winter is very mild. At worse you deal with rain but never freezing cold rain. (maybe only 

In terms of rides I like Tam and the Marin Headlands, but in the winter you're pretty much just climbing into the fog. Shell Ridge aka Rivendell country is always a good one. If you make you way south of the Bay Area Mt. Hamilton is pretty nice. 

Let me know when you make it down I'll make a weekend free for a quick overnight or even a ride around somewhere.

-Manny

[Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery]

Thanks Manny! I assume it's possible to find out-of-the-way places to camp around Mt Tam and Marin Headlands, or is it more of a campground-only kinda camping experience?

[Anne Paulson]

Jim,

Hard to tell about the weather. If it is rainy enough, some of the
dirt trails turn to a sticky clay that clogs up your brakes. And if
you happen to actually be riding on the coast during a winter storm,
you'll get pouring rain and strong winds. One real issue for camping
in this area if you happen to hit a rainy spell, on the coast side of
the Coast Range, is how to dry your clothes. Wool just won't dry. 45
degree weather and being soaking wet is how people get hypothermia.

So I'd suggest a good amount of wool and some good rainwear. I wear
booties and a wool hat through the winter. Bring spare gloves.

Then again, the weather might be gorgeous. I once did a little
overnight from my house to Half Moon Bay between Christmas and New
Years, and ended up riding in shirtsleeves.

-- Anne

[Manuel Acosta]

Jim.

Theres a couple of free campsite around Marin Headlands that you can register for but you can find plenty of places around to "camp". I haven't had the time nor do I have the company to go out and explore some "camping" spots but I know plenty people that know a handful of places. Theres a facebook group called East Bay Bike Camping that would offer a plethora of information. 

I agree with Anne. Bay Area weather is weird.

[dougP]

Jim:

Keep us posted on your schedule. While I'm at the other end of the
state, I'm interested in joining you. Threat of rain generally makes
us Californians scurry for cover, as 45 degrees & soaking wet is more
difficult to manage than 20 degrees & snow that can be brushed off.
Besides, generally we don't have a long wait for better weather.
Hmmm...after 9+ years, my Atlantis may get fenders! FWIW, the long
range forecast is for an El Nino winter.

dougP

On Sep 19, 6:38 pm, Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery <thill....@gmail.com>
wrote:

[Toshi Takeuchi]

It usually doesn't get colder than 40 degrees or so and the highs will usually be in the 50s or low 60s. Depending on your luck it can be splendidly sunny or cloudy and rainy/misty. I live in Oakland and love riding in my neighborhood--Skyline/Grizzly Peak/Wildcat/loop through Orinda/Moraga/Pinehurst. Great views of the San Francisco Bay, redwoods, fresh air.  Another one of my favorites is Redwood Rd-Palomares-Calaveras Dam. It's not a loop though. There's camping on Redwood Rd. (Chabot family campground) and you can go towards Mt. Hamilton from Calaveras or take the route back on Palomares and branch off towards Rivendell/Mt. Diablo or back along Redwood Rd. to the Skyline loop mentioned above. If you need a night off from the elements you are welcome to stay with us and get a roof above your head.

You'll probably want to ride across the Golden Gate Bridge and climb Conzelman to a breathtaking view of the bridge and San Francisco (in the Marin Headlands/GGNRA). Hopefully there'll be a day where it won't be totally fogged out. Like Manuel mentioned, on a day when it's not all cold and foggy, climbing Mt. Tam is beautiful. Descending Diablo/Hamilton/Tam can be very cold. I usually wear my outer layer of ski gloves in addition to a bunch of layers and a wind/rain shell on top. I attached a view from Conzelman.



Toshi

[Michael Williams]

Hey Jim,   again   depending on the weather I put a vote in for Point Reyes,   the riding out there is great,   some guerilla camping if youre up to it.     And best of all,   I feel like regardless of the weather, god or bad,  there shouldnt be a ton of car/foot traffic out there.   It doesnt get as many visitors in the winter from my experience.   -Mike

On Wed, Sep 19, 2012 at 6:38 PM, Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery <thil...@gmail.com> wrote:

I'm going to visit the SF area this winter. I plan to live mostly outside on my bike or in my tent for about 10 days. I'm accustomed to and well equipped for (mostly) dry, cold Minnesota winter, but I suppose wool and rain gear will keep me comfy enough in the SF area's warmer, moister winter weather. Any local knowledge about weather and how to dress for it will be appreciated.

Secondly: I have been studying maps of all the lovely places encompassed by the GGNRA, and also Mount Diablo. But there's so much that looks great! Any must-ride routes? Suggestions for guerilla camping, or even, perish the thought, official campsites?

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[naw...@comcast.net]

Jim,

Please consider the Big Basin state park.  Great camping, big redwoods and access to alot of country roads and the coast too!

Dave Nawrocki

Fort Collins, CO

---

From: "Michael Williams" <mkernan...@gmail.com>
To: rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2012 12:58:04 AM
Subject: Re: [RBW] Winter travel in Riv country

[Matt Beebe]

Man, I'm so jealous.    I need to get back out to Nor. Cal again, or anywhere in the pacific NW for that matter.    Although Mt. Diablo was great in the summer, I bet it's frickin' unbelievable in the winter.      Some beautiful riding and camping out there.

[Jim Mather]

Around Mt Diablo it can hit the low 30's and even 20's on frosty mornings. Not Minnesota cold, but cold enough to need some extra caution. Way back last century in the winter of '90, the low hit about 15 and exterior water pipes were bursting all over the area. And there usually are one or two days of snow on Diablo each year. Of course, the forecast could also be for 70's in the day.

 

If you want to stop into civilization for a beer, or want some company at the campsite, let us all know.

 

jim m

wc ca

[Manuel Acosta]

Here you go Jim.

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=200374047968755502347.000496280ca9ff8fb3e06&msa=0