Meet Your Maker post ride report…

Last Sunday, about 50+ folks showed up in Mill Valley for the Meet Your Maker Tour cross ride up Mt. Tam and beyond.  It’s not really fair to call it a cross ride, although a cross bike does work best for this type of ride.  In addition to the plentiful cross bikes in attendance, there were some mountain bikes, two mountain tandems, and one guy who ripped on his Hunter with road tires.  

As per usual, with a posted ride time of 10:00, the cat herding began around 10:30.  It’s no easy task to get that many people going and as per the ride flyer stating it was a “no drop” ride, there were several lengthy-ish stops to let folks catch up.  There was a bit of chomping at the bit to get going, but everyone was aware that the last riders to reach the waiting point need some rest time.  Usually on no drop rides, once the stragglers catch up, it’s time to go so the folks who would benefit from a bit of a respite, don’t get one.

So, the route.  I don’t know if anyone created the route via some electronic device, but with that many people, I’m sure someone did.  I don’t even know how far we actually rode.  All I know is that it was damn fun.  From Mill Valley we rode up Railroad Grade to the West Point Inn.  From there the track headed down to Muir Beach via Old Stage fire road to the Pantoll Ranger Station at the top of Panoramic Highway and then down Coastal View Trail.  A short section on Hwy 1 brought us to the Pelican Inn in Muir Beach where liquid refueling was on tap.  The fast descent on Coastal View Trail with some choppy trail sections resulted in a bunch of flats.  I think everyone got air back in their tires.  

From Muir Beach, we headed up Diaz Ridge Trail.  By the time we got to the top of Diaz Ridge at the intersection with Miwok Trail, the day’s shadows were getting a bit long and it was decided that some riders were going to head back down Panoramic Hwy to Mill Valley while 6 or 7 of opted for a longer route back via Miwok Trail to Tennessee Valley Rd. and back to Mill Valley via the road where more cold beer waited.  

All in all, it was a damn fine day on the bike.  Thanks to all the Makers for putting this and the other events together.  

Climbing Railroad Grade

Climbing Railroad Grade

Climbing Railroad Grade

West Point Inn regroup

The descent down Coastal View Trail with Mt. Tam in the background

Scofflaw

The climb up Diaz Ridge Trail

(What’s playing:  Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers Hey Stranger)