DirectionsWe encourage you to Car Pool with friends or
Ride Share. The Marin Century has instituted a
Ride Share service. Save some gas money and share the trip with a fellow cyclist. Ride Shares (car pools) will get
priority parking at the Start/Finish until the lot is full. Click
here to find a ride, or share your car.
Coming from the south (Golden Gate Bridge)
Take Hwy 101 North for approximately 16 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Exit from 101 at the Terra Linda - Freitas Parkway exit. Head west approximately 1/2 mile on Freitas Parkway. Turn left on Las Gallinas (signal at Safeway). Go one block & turn right on Nova Albion. The Vallecito Elementary School is just past the 1st STOP sign on the right-hand side.
Coming from the north (Novato and north)
Take Hwy 101 South approximately 4.5 miles south of the Hwy 37 Interchange. Exit Hwy 101 at Terra Linda - Freitas Parkway exit. Head west approximately 1/4 mile on Freitas Parkway. Turn left on Las Gallinas (signal at Safeway). Go one block & turn right on Nova Albion. The Vallecito Elementary School is just past the 1st STOP sign on the right-hand side.
Coming from the East (East Bay and I-580)
Take I-580 west over the Richmond Bridge. Exit at Hwy 101 North and go approximately 3.5 miles north. Exit Hwy 101 at Terra Linda - Freitas Parkway exit. Head west approximately 1/2 mile on Freitas Parkway. Turn left on Las Gallinas (signal at Safeway). Go one block & turn right on Nova Albion. The Vallecito Elementary School is just past the 1st STOP sign on the right-hand side.
Parking
Do not park near Kaiser P. Early parking will be available at the Start/Finish for Double Century riders and Car Pools from 4am until about 6am when the field areas fill up. After that, or even before, we have made the parking structure on the West side of Northgate Mall available. It is about 1/3 mile from the Start. Print out this map and take it with you.
Traffic & Road Conditions
It is a requirement that riders obey all traffic laws. That means STOPPING at all stop signs. CHP will ticket and has ticked before. Riders also need to watch speed limits. CHP has and will ticket riders for speeding. Also, iPODS or other MP3 or Radios if worn while cycling are extremely DANGEROUS and the rider may be cited by CHP! For your safety and the safety of others, don't use your iPod while riding!
Most of the roads traveled in all 6 courses are in good condition and relatively un-traveled.
However, there are a few sections of road that can get considerable amounts of traffic as cars travel between the coast and the Hwy 101 corridor. Most of these sections have good shoulders but riders should always be careful and respectful of traffic.
We do our best to keep the course obstacles marked but there are some sections of pavement of Hwy 1 between Muir Beach and Stinson Beach that can be in various stages of disrepair. We will attempt to mark trouble spots with white paint but ultimately the rider is at all times responsible to travel at a speed safe enough to avoid any such spots.
Much of the terrain on the courses is hilly, twisting and can be very windy. These roads are generally thought of as fun to ride but they do require skills and caution to navigate safely
For the Mt Tam Double Century and Century riders, Mt Tam is often foggy early in the morning. The fog creates very slippery road conditions. It is very likely you will encounter these conditions on your descents from Pine Mountain over Mt Tam to Hwy 1. Please exercise EXTREME caution.
Particular points of hazard are any LEFT hand turns across traffic. Also known spots of bad pavemet are descending from Marshall Wall and along HWY 1 up the coast from Muir Beach to Stinson. This section of HWY 1 will have traffic going to the beach. Be aware, because these people aren't. As always, it is best to travel in small packs of 4 to 6 riders, ride on the right hand side and wear bright colored clothing. Be Safe.
Safety / Rules of the Road
• This is not a race and there is no winner.
• ANSI/Snell-approved helmets must be worn at all times during the ride.
• All riders must carry a driver's license or other form of ID.
• All riders are responsible for the safety and condition of your bicycle and its equipment
• Riders must carry a
• Spare tube
• Patch kit
• Pump
• Tire irons
• Tools
• water bottles
• Telephone money
• Medical identification
• Personal clothing
• All riders must check-in at start.
• Double Century riders must check-in at start, at checkpoints along the course and at the finish for CTC credit.
• All riders must sign the release form before starting the ride.
• All riders under 18 years of age must have the form signed by a parent or guardian and carry the medical release authorizing any needed treatment.
• Please be courteous to local drivers and respectful of traffic.
• Bicyclists must obey all California Vehicle code laws, including all stop signs and signals. Local authorities may cite violators.
• Ride single file and stay right.
• Pace lines
• All pace line leaders should announce “on your left” to all riders being passed.
• Riding in a pace line is inherently dangerous. You assume all liabilities for riding in a pace line.
• Exercise extreme caution near all pace lines.
• Riders impeding other riders shall safely stay as far right as possible or pull off the road if necessary allowing faster riders to pass.
• You must wear your assigned rider bib number on your back so it can be seen from cars behind you. You may not be allowed into Rest Stops without your bib number visible.
• Your bib number is the same color as your course arrows.
• Private sag vehicles are prohibited. Riders with private sags will be disqualified.
Disclaimer
The Marin Cyclist Bike Club and the Marin Century Ride Director reserve the right to refuse entry, disqualify or remove anyone from the course for reasons of the their own safety, for the safety of others, for violation of any rules above or of the California vehicle code or for any other reason including the well being of the rider, other riders, the ride or the Marin Cyclist Club. The ride director decision is final!