Archive for Biking
Spring is a great time to Mountain Bike
Posted by: | CommentsIt’s mountain biking season!
Disclaimer: I do not mountain bike but I agree Spring is a great time to mountain bike in Marin County.
Full Discloser: I talk about mountain biking a lot here on this blog because the owner of Mountain Biking Marin is my honey.
If you are the type that likes to mountain bike or wants to learn how to mountain bike (unlike me) then this announcement is for you!
Mountain Biking Marin is offering bike skill clinics starting in April. All levels!
In a fun and relaxed environment, the Mountain Biking Marin team will review bike skill techniques from basics on how to mount and dismount your bike, how to balance your body, how to go uphill and downhill to more advance techniques including pedaling, braking, gearing/shifting, climbing and descending, switchbacks, and even “air techniques” for those more intrepid riders (not me) wanting to learn how to launch, drop, and jump. And they will also learn about trail etiquette and go over basic bike fit and maintenance.
They offer a 1:4 instructor:student ratio in their group clinics. Each session is a half day and starts at 8:30 am. (Note: They also offer private mountain bike clinics and tours). All levels welcome! The group will be split into beginner, intermediate, and advance levels.
So if you are the more adventuresome type… why not try something new this Spring? If you live in the Bay Area or are visiting you really should try mountain biking. I’ve tried it! It’s beautiful out there and you can see so much more than you do when hiking (but I still prefer hiking).
And right now the wild flowers are just starting to bloom! Imagine what you’ll see in April!
Click here for more information about the upcoming mountain bike clinics in Marin.
Become a fan on Facebook to hear about upcoming clinics and tours.
Cool Bike Shop: Bike and Beans
Posted by: | CommentsFrom guest blogger: Celia Graterol of Mountain Biking Marin
Bikes & Beans, formerly located by the 7-11 near China Camp, has moved to a brand new and bigger location while still close to China Camp thus being very convenient to stop by before or after riding China Camp. In particular if you like coffee, bike talk with knowledgeable people, and good deals on bikes and parts.
100 El Prado, Suite 2 (near China Camp State Park)
San Rafael, CA 94903-2857
Tel: 415-507-1992
Check them out!
I like stopping by to get my coffee fix since I am not drinking beer these days. The stores offers a cozy place to hang and yummy coffee and I keep hearing great reviews about the Commencal and Jamis bikes Justin (the owner) sells in his this store.
I also like the selection of cool hip bike clothing… I have gotten a pair of cool shorts that made me feel like a hot shot
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And the best of all, I like it that Justin kept decorating the shop with local artist work (some of his own work!). This mural is right by the bike mechanic shop area!
Check out Celia’s previous blog about Bikes & beans to get a better sense of what this bike shops brings to Marin county.
Shopping with a View in San Francisco
Posted by: | CommentsAs you may or may not know my neighbor Amy and I are pretty dedicated hikers. We go out every morning (6-7 days a week) with our dogs for a hike. However on super rainy days we do not go. This is problem because hiking is what we do for exercise. I decided instead of being a wimp on rainy days I’d go out and buy some rain gear so at least we could still get out when it is pouring rain, even if we didn’t go on the trails we could walk up and down the winding hilly streets of our neighborhood.
I wanted good quality rain gear but I didn’t want to spend the money I would have to if I went to REI. Instead, I went to the Sports Basement in San Francisco. The Sports Basement is an awesome place for getting great deals on quality brand name athletic clothing. A few years ago I bought a big puffy down Northface jacket from the Sports Basement. I called REI first to compare prices and it was $50 cheaper at the Sports Basement.
The Sports Basement in the Presidio is located in one of the most beautiful spots in San Francisco. It’s right across the street from the Crissy Field Beach located below the Golden Gate Bridge. The views are breathtaking. You can see the bridge, Alcatraz and the city skyline. We were lucky because when we got to the store it was not raining so we took a walk on the beach before doing our shopping. The boardwalk was full of happy people walking, jogging, rollerblading, biking and playing with their dogs.
It’s fun to shop at Sports Basement. It has a very casual friendly feel. There are couches throughout the store and they encourage you to hang out and chat. There is even a play area for kids. Lot’s of community stuff going on there. I found a great rain jacket and a pair of convertible pants I love! We’re back to walking or hiking everyday and it feels great!













