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Larkspur to Petaluma-SMART Return 56 Miles Social AB Pace (Susan, Helen)
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About this event
Time: meet 8:45AM/ wheels roll 9:00AM
Location: Larkspur Ferry Parking Lot 101 E. Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Larkspur 94939
**Public restrooms at the Larkspur Landing Circle, Marin Country Mart. Take the bike way over. As you get off the overpass bike way, the bathrooms are to the right and looks out to the water, at the ground level near a grouping of picnic tables around the 3 planters. Look for Building 4 (blue color), right next to a doggie shop called George. You'll see wash stations outside. Please leave time to use the restroom. Arrive at 8:30AM.**
Event: Social AB Pace ride from Larkspur Ferry Parking to Nicasio, Marshall Wall, Chileno Valley, Petaluma, lunch at Urban Deli in Petaluma and SMART back to Larkspur Route Map.
Ride Along-Social/AB Pace/Hilly Rating (12.5-13.5 mph overall average moving pace including climbs) 56 miles, +3,700', +66.77' vertical feet of elevation gain per mile, one way ride from Larkspur. You probably know most of the way already. We'll ride on familiar grounds all the way to Pt. Reyes Station, then we go on Hwy 1 and hug Tomales Bay until we make our way to Marshall. Get your climbing legs out as we tackle Marshall Wall (2.8 miles, +777' and 4.6% avg. gradient.) Catch your breath a little before we finish Wilson Hill (1.4 miles, +378', 4.4% avg. gradient.) Easy does it. There's a little incline on Chileno Valley on the way to the last rest stop at Helen Putnam Park. And there you have it; "it's downhill all the way... ", famous last words:) Just in time for lunch.
This ride is timed for arrival at Urban Deli in Petaluma, 151 Petaluma Blvd South by about 2:00-2:15PM. We will leave for the Petaluma SMART Stn. 220 Lakeville, Petaluma CA (4 mins by bike) at about 3:05PM to catch the 3:22 PM train back to Larkspur Station at 4:04 PM.
***The earlier southbound train leaves Petaluma at 1:04PM. There are no other Weekend southbound trains departing from Petaluma between 1:04 PM and 3:22 PM. Please time your ride accordingly if you plan to ride at a faster pace. Slower riders may not have time for a sit down lunch or may consider taking the next train at 5:03PM. The Social Pace ride is timed at 11 mph elapsed time pacing including all climbs, regroups and restroom + water stops. This is not a beginners ride. Please make sure you can comfortably bike 56 miles with +4,000' of climbs at 12.5-13.0 mph.
Return Directions: Larkspur SMART Station to Larkspur Ferry Parking Lot
Please download the route to your bike computer. There are several turns to the destination. If you don't know the way please stay with the group. Riding way FASTER or SLOWER than the set pace may result in you riding on your own; you must provide your own navigation.
***Ride with GPS Route download instructional video and directions on how to enable mobile app turn-by-turn navigation (premium or basic Ride With GPS subscription required for mobile navigation.)
Suggested Regroups and Stops:
-Start: Please consider using the Larkspur Landing Circle bathroom across the bike way, arrive early
-Mile 16.2 Rancho Nicasio Store, porta potty and snacks at the store (ETA: 10:15AM)
-Mile 26.2 Pt. Reyes Station public restrooms on Mesa Rd (ETA: 11AM)
-Mile 52.6 Helen Putnam Park bathrooms on Armstrong Rd, Chileno Valley Rd (ETA: 1:50PM)
Smart Rail Info:
*The fare is $4.50 adult fare/$2.25 Seniors and disabled
*Clipper card, Apple Pay and Smart E Ticket and other special Smart Rail pass
*PLEASE REVIEW THE TRAIN FARE TICKETING INFO WELL BEFORE THE RIDE!!!
*Train Fare Information
*Smart Bicycle and Scooter Policy
*Smart General Information
Please Be self Sufficient:
*bring 2 bottles of water
*pack tools and spare tubes or a tubeless tire repair kit as we will be far away from bike shops
*pack enough onboard food/snacks and electrolytes supplements
Registration Info
Registration is required
We may ride through section of busy roads with narrow shoulders.
-please use caution
-signal turns and call out intentions, ie, stopping, slowing
-leave room for cars to tuck into as necessary
-stay to the right side of the road
-ride single file
-exercise courtesy and consideration for each other and for drivers; we all share the road.