Home Personal Blog | AIDS LifeCycle Blog | Care2Connect | My Space |Email
Please bring the following items:
There are several types of bikes (ex. road, mountain, hybrid, & cruiser) and various ways of determining the correct bike fit yet to make it real simple when choosing your rental bike:
"If you're a man, you'll want at least 1-2 inches of clearance between your crotch and the bicycle's top tube, when you stand straddling the bike flat-footed. If you're going to be doing some more aggressive riding, 2 or more inches may be better. Make sure the handlebar is within easy reach-you don't want to have to stretch, or feel too cramped.
If you're a woman, the amount of standover clearance will be the same as it is for a man. But since women's bikes often have sloping top tubes you'll want to measure the clearance from an imaginary top tube-pretend the top tube extends horizontally from the front of the bike, and measure from there. Again, you'll want to be sure you can reach the handlebar easily, without feeling "crowded."
Learn from your fellow cyclist (you will find they are eager to share their bike tour experiences and training rides knowledge). Also, keep in mind one simple rule for bike rides: "Be Prepared." San Francisco / Bay Area weather can change at anytime, flats strike unannounced, bike "pile ups" can happen, and "bonking cyclist" do appear. Anticipate the worst, by doing such things as bringing a cell phone, proper cycling gear, proper nutrition, ibuprofen, money, and the tools to make basic cycling repairs. That way . . .. when "the shit hits the fan," it will be minor.
During the first fifteen miles of a bike tour, one almost always feels fantastic .. . Yet it is the miles that come later in the ride that might not feel so great. So load yourself with lots of water, electrolytes, protein, and carbohydrates.
Proper nutrition is the easiest way to avoid cramping, muscle soreness, headaches, dizziness and "bonking." Also, take the time to get out of the saddle and stretch (do yoga). You may lose a little training ride time, but you'll avoid a lot of unnecessary soreness and injuries that could ultimately lead to a "parked bike ride."
Also, investigate the benefits of combining your training rides with other forms of exercise. In cross training, two or more types of exercise are performed in one workout or used alternately in successive workouts. An endurance cyclist in training, for example, may also lift weights twice a week, perform daily iyengar yoga classes , and do high-intensity cycling sprints every Friday
Bike Route: Stinson Beach
Terrain: 5 Major Hill Climbs, mostly hills. Advanced.
Bike Ride time: Allow 5 hours for the loop.
Distance: Approx. 55 mile ride
*Beautiful view of the California Coast line.
Lunch on the beach. Yet, you better like hill climbing.
.
Bike Tour Route: Golden Gate Park / Ocean Beach.
Terrain: Inner City - Golden Gate Park - Flat.
Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate level.
Bike Ride time: Allow 3-4 hours for the loop.
Distance: Approx. 20 mile ride..
Conversation & lunch at a local cafe
Bike Tour Guide Route: You pick the destination - We'll chart the route
Terrain: No race. No itinerary
Bike Ride time: Until the Fat Lady Sings?
Distance: You tell us.
*An uncharted bike around town with a San Franciscan local.
1. One of my buddies has the day off.
2. You want to see the city
3. Let's make a deal.
Bike Tour Route: Fairfax / Point Reyes
Terrain: 3 Major Hill Climbs, mostly flat. Advanced.
Bike Ride time: Allow 7 hours for the loop.
Distance: Approx. 63 / 85 mile ride
*Not the ride for the meek. 15mph minimum (or bring your flashlight).
Bike Tour Route: Sausalito / Mill Valley
Terrain: 1 Major Hill Climb, mostly downhill. Intermediate .
Bike Ride time: Allow 4 hours for the loop.. Distance: Approx. 25 mile ride
*Sit and enjoy a latte while the others sweat. . ..
A flat ride over the Golden Gate Bridge and down hill from there . .
*Pricing varies depending on:
Group size.
Date.,
Number of bike tour leaders needed.
Bike route.
