Chasing a Clear Day of Riding in San Francisco

February in Denver can be lousy for cycling. So I loaded up the bike and headed for San Francisco to see my daughter and her fiancé, and to do a bit of road cycling in the city and Marin County. Unfortunately, my timing was perfect as two back -to-back storm systems, referred to alternately as "Atmospheric Rivers" and Pineapple Expresses" stymied my plans. I did manage to catch one mostly clear day, however, and had an amazing ride. Check it out and see why the Bay Area is a must-do for anyone who loves a great cycling trip!

[@billkrueger9305]

many thanks from a San Francisco resident and roadie! it is truly a great place to ride...the surrounding area is amazing but there is nothing like cruising the neighborhoods! stay safe!

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Thank you! Always good to hear from the locals. the neighborhoods in SF are always great to discover. What a town!

[@chiparooo]

Great videography! What a tour. The wind and the hills had to be quite a challenge. Thanks for sharing!

[@TheBicycleTourists]

I think the big challenge was being out of shape, to be honest. I really need to improve that in the winters ahead.

[@tabottietjen3186]

It's a beautiful ride! We did it about 10 years ago and and took the ferry back to SF. Enjoyed every minute of it and had a great lunch in Sausalito. Thanks for sharing!

[@TheBicycleTourists]

It really is lovely.

[@jazziered142]

I love my city by the Bay. There is nothing like it.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

It is one of a kind, and absolutely lovely!

[@wendellcibulka366]

Only homeless drug addicts, excrement, and needles. Thank you, I wouldn't say I like it. I live 20 miles from it and haven't been there for 10 years.

[@claudemarie9136]

Salut Roland, “Chasing a clear day....”, Welcome to the club ! There must be several billions of human beings enjoying the predictably unpredictable weather associated with oceanic climates (Pacific, Atlantic, Indian... no difference). Thanks for taking us along for that urban ride. C. More about that “fishing pier” 😁later...

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Yeah, we don't have weather like that in Colorado!

[@amylipkin2116]

Riding across that bridge is on my bucket list, thank you so much for recording that! Love your videos!!

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Thank you so much Amy! I hope you get the opportunity!

[@richardstoner866]

I’m from uk and have great friends in San Francisco….im over again in November and will be definitely biking over to Sausalito….super video…

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Thanks! I believe autumn is a great season there... my daughter is getting married at the end of October. Enjoy your time!

[@justwhenithought]

Lovely. Thank you.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

You're so welcome!

[@greg_loper]

Thanks for sharing the ride. You definitely earned a good dinner.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

And I got it! The food in SF is amazing IF you can afford it!

[@fwtxbevo2226]

Great video! I rent a bike every time I visit, and ride the GGB and back from SOMA. Love The City!!

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Thanks! Yeah, I love the City too.

[@TimR123]

What a beautiful ride. Makes me wish I could do it. Oh wait, I HAVE done it, I live here. 🙂 (an hour south) You really captured the beauty of the gate in the rainy season. A few comments and thoughts: 1) Rain. Yeah, for those coming from places that are used to riding in the rain, there is great opportunity in the winter here. It's often STUNNING and green. You just might get wet (locals tend to melt) 2) That tunnel on the north end of the bridge is no joke. Really it is actually scary. But as you probably noticed it is ridden enough that usually the cars make room like they should. You can cross way under like you ended up doing or using the ped undercrossing at the vista point. For those coming on a different day, be careful about the time and day. Bikes are allowed on the east walkway like this video sometimes. But on weekends etc they must use the west walkway. If you have a touring rig, crossing between them AT the stairs is horrible. (Ask me how I know. I'll tell you. 🙂 Because I'd overnighted at Kirby cove (recommended if you can get a spot) and forgot the change on the return trip.) 3) The Tiburon ferry schedule messed me up too on one ride. You're not alone. Another option is to keep riding around the north side of the Tiburon peninsula and pick up the Larkspur ferry. It runs more often but in my case it's schedule was wrongly posted too and I ended up riding back to SF like you did and bonking like you did. 4) And for those who have not done this, riding the bridge IS a bucket list thing if you're in the area and should not be missed. Whether on your bike or renting a 'tourist bike' to do it. Recommended. BUT, have the right expectations. The mentioned noise factor is no joke. It is horrendous. Particularly when it is also windy. The moments of real relief as you go around the towers are palpable. And on some days (like this one apparently) the wind can be quite a force. Walking it is 'ok' too. But for my taste it leaves you in the noise too long and a bike is a better experience.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Yeah, I agree with the walking, it soon becomes more noisy than its worth. Coming back I had to ride the west side, no video as it took all my strength to keep my bike in a straight line. Insane wind. I hope to get back there with Julianna and ride through some of that gorgeous country to the north, especially at this very wet and green time of year.

[@TimR123]

We don’t really have a “bad” season (if you tolerate rain). But the winter/spring with greenery and clear air (and usually less wind) is pretty special.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Yes, I've always loved that season out there.

[@maxdugan5319]

The fantastic videos just keep on coming! Thanks for another fun look into a cycling story somewhere in the world with great commentary and music to give us a small during the week!

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Thank you Max! Appreciate you! Hope you're enjoying Riccione! (How could you not?)

[@maxdugan5319]

Amazing trip! Hope you and Julianna can join us next year!

[@TheBicycleTourists]

I hope we can. Would it be in the same timeframe? May?

[@maxdugan5319]

Yes sir-I'll DM you info as we are setting up the offer with the hotel.@@TheBicycleTourists

[@helmutschroeder1269]

Thanks for this great video!

[@TheBicycleTourists]

You are very welcome!

[@HackHunter1835]

You've been taking us all over the world throughout all your journeys, I feel i should tip you or something 😏The conditions you ride in Roland and your uplifting spirits are unmatched as a cyclist. Well done.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Ah well thanks.

[@bonus5512]

I came across your amazing videos yesterday and I love them. Subscribed. Keep up the good work. Have a nice day. Hello from Italy.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Well hello Italy! And thank you! We hope to ride a bit in your lovely country this fall if all goes well. Over the Alps to Venice.

[@ianstewart8301]

Miss riding across the GG bridge into Marin. Did that all the time when I lived there. Thanks for sharing

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Its a great city. it's a great city for walking, a great city for biking, just a great city.

[@mysteriousMatchStick]

Nice coverage of SF. Next time take the Tiburon ferry back. Spectacular visuals and much better than riding near 101.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Yeah, that was definitely the plan.

[@toolscarriagesmodellbauand7246]

Wow, can't really believe to see all these bicyclepathes. I've been in San F. in 1979 and I do not remember such a lot of bicycle lanes. Great to see that happen. Best wishes from Germany

[@TheBicycleTourists]

The cycling infrastructure in the US, especially in the cities, has really improved a lot in the last 45 years!

[@matthewford5500]

There is something so special and oddly nostalgic about exploring a beautiful city alone.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

I agree. You can go wherever your whims take you.

[@matthewford5500]

@@TheBicycleTouriststhanks for sharing your adventures. Cheers

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Cheers!

[@PumpkinVillage]

What a nice day. So many beautiful sites. Take care, Al

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Thanks Al!

[@nelpoodle]

We ride our bikes to San Francisco from our house in Hayward (East Bay). We ride to Alameda and take the ferry to San Francisco and spend the weekend. Have ridden across the bridge to Sausalito for lunch then Tiburon and take the ferry back. Our favorite city to ride to when we want a weekend away.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

That sounds like a great day. You all have a lot of great options.

[@theroyalgypsydiaries4658]

Great video!

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Thanks!

[@theroyalgypsydiaries4658]

@@TheBicycleTourists you’re welcome! 🙂

[@frankcauthorn1472]

I've ridden the GG a few times and it can be windy, cold and foggy. SF is a cool place to ride bikes its too bad you hit the rain.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

We get out there to see my daughter enough, we'll catch better weather next time!

[@michelesauret7779]

Original de revisiter San Francisco en vélo. Merci de pédaler à ma place, pas facile dans l'agitation de la ville.

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Le plaisir était pour moi! En fait, j'aime beaucoup rouler dans l'agitation des villes et j'espérais rouler davantage, mais la météo m'a convaincu d'explorer principalement à pied.

[@dennispiciullo8060]

Pretty cool, I never rode across the GG bridge, I walked across once. I think it's a height thing. But I did ride around Sausalito and Tebrion (I guess that how you spell it). You actually climbed that road on the west of the bridge? That climb looks pretty steep for me, lol. I hope your visit was enjoyable. I live about 65 miles north of SF, in Sonoma County. Maybe one day you ride around my neck of the woods, lots of cool places to see here too. Thanks Roland

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Hey Dennis! Yeah, originally I thought I would do a Napa/Sonoma ride, and the beautiful hills around Sonoma and the coast look like a cyclist's dream. I hope to do a nice little Sonoma loop next time I'm out there.

[@dennispiciullo8060]

Let me know when you decide to come!

[@claudemarie9136]

Here we go !! Yet again another comment vaporized by YT ! 🤬😡 I try again, in several goes, hope you like riddles. 1) Bay Area Triple Crossover.

[@claudemarie9136]

2) Emily Bei Cheng

[@claudemarie9136]

So far so good, not [yet ?] deleted. Description of the route (1) cobbled together by (2) + GPX file available from : 🚲= bike (not bicycle) 🎒 = packing 🚲🎒 followed by extension “commercial” shortened. Worth checking, IMHO. (Okaay, possibly more my, increasingly, style of cycling and bike exploration).

[@ConsensusCrewBetting]

if anyones watching this and if it hasn't been said yet, bikes only on the west side of the bridge. no or less pedestrians. be safe out there!

[@TheBicycleTourists]

When I rode there it depended on the time of the day. I was routed to the east side going north at mid-day and to the west side going south around rush hour.

[@donaldreinholz3745]

You’re in my neck of the woods

[@TheBicycleTourists]

You live in a lovely spot!

[@dondonner1095]

Nice

[@TheBicycleTourists]

Thanks Don!