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These beginner-friendly rides around Marin offer a great biking experience and are appropriate for folks new or returning to riding their bicycle. Take yourself or someone else and enjoy the ride!
Before you go, familiarize yourself with proper bike riding safety and etiquette.
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Route Description: Novato Skatepark to South Hamilton Park (4.3 miles out and back, or complete the loop via Hangar Avenue, Palm Drive and Hamilton SMART Pathway). This is a flat, unpaved multi-use pathway (with some exposure to vehicle traffic if doing the loop option) that includes great educational signage about marsh habitat/restoration and bird watching! The surface is dirt, but it’s very smooth. Road tires are not advised, but a commuter bike would be fine. Connect to Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District Ponds for even more mileage.
Route Description: The distance up to you, with up to four pond loops to choose from. They’re flat, unpaved service roads (closed to cars, except for LGVSD vehicles) with great bird watching! Similar to the Hamilton Bay Trail, the surface is flat and smooth, but we suggest commuter bike tires at the smallest.
Route Description: Pickleweed Park to Starkweather Shoreline Park (4-miles round trip). It’s a flat combination of paved and unpaved multi-use pathways with no exposure to vehicle traffic. There’s great views of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge and East Bay, too. For more mileage, ride over the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge (open 2 PM Thursday – 11 PM Sunday) for lunch in Pt. Richmond. Only a short section of the Bay Trail is unpaved, so any tires would be fine on this ride.
Route Description: This is 7-miles round-trip, but as an out-and-back, it can be as long or short as you want. There’s a gradual, paved climb to the Tennessee Valley parking lot and then a gradual descent on relatively smooth dirt down to the beach (you’ll have to walk the last section). Be cautious, ride single-file and use a rear light as Tennessee Valley Road is open to cars, but traffic should be minimal. Road tires not advised on the unpaved section beginning at the trailhead.
Route Description: This is an off-road, 4.2-miles out-and-back ride. You can also extend it up to an 8-mile out-and-back. There’s beautiful scenery as you ride just across the road from the Bay. There is a $3 trail-only fee, or a $5 parking and trail use fee, good for up to four people (information on fees here). This is an unpaved surface, so gravel bikes or mountain bikes will be preferable.
Route Description:
The 500-acre preserve borders the Petaluma River Marsh Wildlife Area and boasts groves of manzanita, stands of black oak and California bay. This modest 9-mile ride is an out-and-back on a mostly flat fire road and a multi-use trail. It should take an hour or two, depending on your skills. Riders of all ages and abilities will enjoy this ramble, which is mountain bike and gravel bike-friendly. The preserve is popular with horseback riders, so be prepared to stop or pass carefully.
No drinking water or restroom facilities are available at Rush Creek Open Space Preserve. The area can get pretty hot during the summer, so bring sunscreen and plenty of water.
We hope you enjoy these beginner-friendly rides in Marin! Post your photos and tag us at #ExperienceMCBC.
What are your favorite beginner-friendly rides around Marin? Email us with your suggestions; we’ll add them here!
We’re working to make bicycling safe, fun, and accessible for all. Join us today!
