MCBC Off Road

As you enjoy the trails in Marin, please remember that you are riding within the traditional territory of the Coast Miwok, many of whom are now citizens of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria. Please help us acknowledge the Tribe and their continuing legacy as caretakers of their ancestral territory, and do your part to not disrupt the landscape by staying on the trail.

The Off-Road Program expands mountain biking opportunities through education, environmental stewardship and trail development. We are committed to bridging gaps in Marin’s trails network, while also maintaining and restoring existing trails. This effort is guided by the vision of one day riding from the Golden Gate Bridge to Point Reyes, all off-road.

Off-Road Program Goals

Improve opportunities for mountain bike access to singletrack and multi-use trails by working with Marin Parks, MMWD, State Parks, GGNRA and Pt. Reyes National Seashore to provide bike-friendly trails within and connecting these public lands.

Educate all trail users to have friendly and responsible interactions on trails and fire roads.

Build strong partnerships with land management agencies, environmental  and equestrian groups, and the NorCal High School Cycling League to strengthen stewardship of trails and roads, and help protect and restore sensitive habitat.

Off-Road Trail Etiquette Poster

Turn Shock into Awww!

Read our stance on e-bikes on natural surface trails here


MCBC Trail STEWARDS

Our new Trail Stewards Initiative lies at the heart of the Off-Road Program, increasing our capacity to build and maintain sustainable trails and mitigate impacts on the environment with a well-trained volunteer force. We will train, equip, and deploy a leadership corps of trail stewards to care for Marin’s trails and natural habitat, while also recruiting and educating young mountain bikers (and others) to join the effort. Visit the MCBC TRAIL STEWARDS web page for upcoming trail and training dates.


slow & say hello

Along with our Trail Partners Marin Horse Council and Marin Conservation League, we engage with hikers, walkers, runners, cyclists, equestrians and dog walkers to promote good trail etiquette and instill resource protection values. Visit the SLOW & SAY HELLO web page for upcoming outpost dates and volunteer opportunities.

DONATE TO OFF ROAD PROGRAM

current INITIATIVES and program highlights

mmwd WATERSHED recreation plan

We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to advance a more inclusive trail system on the Mount Tamalpais Watershed while stewarding the land for future generations. Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) is developing a Watershed Recreation Management Plan and you need to be part of this process if you care about bicycle access on Mount Tam! Read More >>

BILl’S trail opens to bikes

Following years of persistent advocacy and trail work, Bill’s Trail finally opened to bikes in 2020! This flowy stretch of multi-use trail traverses through a wooded canyon on the north side of Mount Barnabe in Samuel P. Taylor. It’s one of the most scenic bike-legal trail experiences in the county. NOTE: The trail closes each winter to prevent damage to the trail tread.  Read More >>

ponti ridge trail now open!

The new Ponti Ridge Trail near Marinwood creates sinuosity along a scenic ridgeline and is a very bike-friendly trail. The project decommissioned an erosive fire road, which will enhance habitats of oak trees and native grasses. Read More >>

Bob Middagh TRAIL reversal

We had a win in court with the reversal of a poor ruling on Bob Middagh Trail in Mill Valley. This cleared the way for its adoption as a bike-legal trail and set key legal precedent for future change-in-use proposals. The “no bikes” sign was removed in June of 2021.  Read More >>

Big win for trails in Point Reyes

Thanks to the hard work and support of our Marin County Bicycle Coalition members, the National Park Service released a General Management Plan Amendment which will serve as a framework to enhance public access and improve connectivity in Point Reyes National Seashore over the next 30 years. This high-level guiding document enables enhanced access to existing ranch roads in non-wilderness areas of our public lands in Point Reyes. MCBC will work together with park staff and stakeholders to close gaps and create loops to make Point Reyes into a truly world-class cycling destination for bike touring, bike packing, gravel riding and cross-country mountain biking. Read More >>

AZALEA HIll GETS FULLY FUNDED

Here’s the cherry on top: the Azalea Hill Trail Project was recently awarded $700,000 from the Recreational Trails Program. MCBC was instrumental in advocating for these federal dollars for this project, and now MMWD can complete the new connector trail between Mount Tam and Pine Mountain as well as habitat restoration and visitor improvements. Read More >>

THE FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT

We’ll focus on completing the Easy Grade Trail on Mount Tam, start to develop new gravel routes at Point Reyes National Seashore, and work on a reroute project on Olema Valley Trail. One project in 2021 that’s close to MCBC Off-Road Director Tom Boss’s heart is advancing a XC race course at Stafford Lake so Marin can host a NorCal High School Cycling League race in the near future.

more about MCBC Off Road