Easy access
Good roads
Great mix of terrain
World-class scenic views
Rest stops nicely spaced
Great food choices
What else do you need for an excellent ride?
Let me lay it out for you -
Roll out Lucas Valley Rd for a nice warm up before you hit your first manageable climb. Cresting the beautiful summit, you'll enjoy a nice downhill through a redwood forest -- just like going to summer camp!
Hit the "T" and turn right to roll into the quaint little town of Nicasio. The town is like a movie set for Pleasantville USA. A general store and portable toilets standing by.
Continue to the next intersection with Pt. Reyes - Petaluma Rd. and head right for your second noticeable climb. I tend to move through this section fairly quick as cars are moving fast and the road shoulder comes and goes.
As you drop down the other side and hit the flats, you'll come to the cheese factory. Great rest area with restrooms, picnic tables, and a fountain to refill your water.
Head down the road a bit further and hang a left on Hicks Valley Rd. This is where the real rural fun begins and you can get away from the cars and enjoy some good ol' country roads.
Rt on Wilson Hill (there's another hill here) drop down the other side then left on Chileno Valley Rd. Take this to the end and turn left on Tomales - Petaluma Rd. You will eventually T into Hwy 1. Make sure you turn right here for the detour into the town of Tomales. There's a bakery there that shouldn't be missed.
Once you carbo load on some fresh baked sweets, backtrack a bit and continue south on Hwy 1. Now you'll begin one of the most scenic sections of this ride as you head down the shores of Tomales Bay. Unbelievably beautiful. On this trip, we stopped at one of the oyster farms along the way. We bought a dozen small oysters and borrowed a shucking knife. That was basically our lunch stop.
Continue south and head into the town of Point Reyes Station. If you're not down with the oysters, there are plenty of options here for you to refuel and rest up before the last leg. My favorite stop is the Cowgirl Creamery where they make cheese. They have a deli for sandwiches and a nice yard area to eat and relax. At the far end of town is a killer burrito stop. If you need a spare tube or something checked out, go see my buddy Mike Varley who operates Black Mountain Cycles. Stop in and look around at some killer old school mountain bikes. Hang out on the couch and rest up before you head back.
From Pt. Reyes Station, backtrack north back up Hwy 1 for a bit and take the right turn on Pt Reyes - Petaluma Rd. Take this back to Nicasio Valley Rd. and then backtrack all the way over Lucas Valley Rd. back to the start location.
One sweet ride.
Edit 5-25-14: So, maybe you'd like a few more miles? Here's the same ride with a few bonus miles up north: http://ridewithgps.com/trips/2709728
Once you hit the hwy 1 / valley ford area, there's a nice little deli with great sandwiches. It's about 48 miles into the ride -- near mid-point of the ride. Total ride distance with north loop add on = 106 miles.
