Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

(Top) The Golden Gate bridge is one of the views offered by the altitudes of Marin County. (Above left) The Russian River is popular for its warm weather and resorts. (Above right) A little four-wheel competition breaks up our two-wheel day. By Jim Bowman Scenic Marin and Sonoma counties offer such a wide variety of scenery and attractions in such a relatively small area, that this area bas become a popular cruising ground for motorcyclists. The biggest . h h' h I aura~uC?n, t oug ,IS t .e.c ose pro.xlm~tr of these counues. t~ major clues. In most cases, It s just a trip across a bridge to get to the start of this cruise. Being that Marin and Sonoma counties lie between the ocean and San Francisco Bay, inside of ragged or shallow coastline that can accom-' modate only fishing and pleasure boats these counties have remained almo~t locked in the past, untouched by the heavy industry and business that grew up around the more accessible ports. Aside from the narrow strip of cities on Freeway 101, this area is primarily agricultural with a number of parks and historical auractions. A Starting Point 22 Our favorite starting point is from one of the most prominent northern California landmarks, the Golden Ga~e bridge. Going north from the city, ·pass the Vista Point exit and take the AJ,exander exit just two- lOths of a mile late~. Follow the signs loward San FranCISCO and go back under Freeway lOl and on to the road leading onto the bridge. Just before you reach the bridge, go right up the s~all two lane road.that leads up the hIll. For those commg south on the f~eeway, take the l.ast Marin/S~usalIto exIt and turn nght up the hIll. A sign at the bottom of the hill reads "Forts Barry, Baker and Cronkite." Continue along the two lane road and stay to the left when the road forks. The right fork goes to a hostel, the left leads out past the forts and do~n a on~ lane, one way road toward Pomt B~Olta. . . -r:hefIrstfo~t.atth~topoft~ehIllIs typICal of mIlItary mstallatlons all around th~ Golde,?- Gate. Huge cement gun mstall()tlons and bunkers were furrowed into the hillsides during World War Two to ward off attacks from Japan. These forts are fun to hike through because they are well disguised in the hillsides among a lot of fragrant vegetation. Continue toward Point Bonita and, if you are travelling in the afternoon, you may see 50 or more cars along the road, apparently miles from anything worth visiting. The attraction is a beach about 300 feet down the cliff from the road. When you reach Point Bonita, go to the left and follow the road out to the point for an excellent view of the ocean and Baker beach at Fort Baker. There are the remains of another fort here and the Point Bonita Lighthouse which still warns the San Francisco shipping traffic of the rocky Marin headlands. Returning from the lookout point; stay to the left at each intersection until you reach the Baker Beach Recreation area. If you've already done some hiking, or you rode a little ways just to get to the bridge, you may be happy to know there are restrooms at the far end of the beach, on the inland side of the road. The big buildings here are left over from Fort Baker and house some educational and natural programs, including a small museum. Leaving the beach, follow the road back across the cr~ek and stay to the left until you reach the tunnel three and a half miles later. This is a oneway tunnel through a mountain and uses a six minute light to allow traffic to travel first one way, and then the other. It's a treat to leave the beach, travel up the warm little valley and then emerge on the other side of the tunnel and feel the cool bay breezes. After the tunnel, go to the stop sign and turn left to go to Sausalito. The business area of Sausalito is a quaint one-street, Mediteranean-style affair that is a favorite among locals for its restaurants and atmosphere. There are literally acres of yachts berthed here and it is fun just to walk around the numerous little shops. This is a fine place to plan to grab a meal. Continue north on the main street through Sausalito and you'll find gas stations at the north end of town. The main street leads directly onto the freeway and you'll want to take the very next exit labeled: Mill Valley/ Stinson Beach/Highway I. The goal now is to follow the little green signs with the Highway One numeral one symbol on them. These signs will lead you through the town of Mill Valley and back out to the coast. The Sunday Morning Ride In Mill Valley; just about 17 miles into the cruise, is an Arco gas station where Highway one takes a jog to the left. This is the start of controversial Sunday Morning Ride and the beginning of some serious, non-stop cruising miles. The Sunday Morning Ride started almost 27 years ago when Peter Adams began making regular trips from Mill Valley to Point Reyes each Sunday to have breakfast at a friend's home. First one friend, and then another joined the weekly ride and the event soon snowballed with breakfast moving to a resturaunt in Inverness. The only ch~nge in recent years has been the location of the resturaunt, as the riders now meet at The Station House Cafe in Point Reyes Station. The Sunday Morning Ride starts off at the Mill Valley Arco station every Sunday morning between seven and eight a,m. On any given day, anywhere from 25 to over 100 motorcycles may show up. The motorcycles are mostly Japanese touring and racing bikes and examining the multitude of machines and accessories is worth the trip in itself. There is also nothing quite like the feeling of being able to drop in and join up with so many other motorcyclists for a morning ride. The ride is usuaJly over by noon and it is quite common

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