Mount Tam, California - California Mountain Biking

This picture was taken on the Blithedale Ridge Road on the East side of Mt. Tamalpais in Marin County California. Although most of the trails on Mt. Tam are closed to mountain bikes, there are still plenty of reasons to ride here. Located about a half hour from San Francisco, Mt. Tam is rideable year-round. There are plenty of well graded roads that climb to the top of both the East via the East Peak Loop and Middle peaks. Along the way you will have plenty of opportunities to gaze out over the Bay area. This is a very popular destination for hikers and bikers, so expect crowded conditions on sunny weekend days. If you prefer to climb single track you may want to try the "Zig Zag" trail. At the time of this photograph this trail was still open to bikes but you should check with a local bike shop before trying it. This trail can be reached by riding up Cascade Drive from the town of Mill Valley. The trail begins where the road ends. You might also want to try out the Mt. Tam Loop via Old Railroad For the beginner, you can ride the railroad tracks all the way up the mountain.