Alpine Dam

It's December and skies are strangely clear. We all agree that it's not good, but we're all loving the extended riding season.

What happened to foggy Nor Cal?

That being said, on Christmas a friend of a friend invited me along for the Alpine Dam route, where we met clear skies and comfortable temps.

Dead grass climbs fall into lush tree lined valleys

Aki, Nuala, Jason, Jesse, and I started across the bridge, nearly devoid of cycle traffic on a Sunday morning (bizarre). Once over the bridge we wiggled our way over through Fairfax and into the first climb over the ridge to drop down toward the dam. Aki and Jason tore it up, flying up to the top of every hill. Aki doing it all in track pants and a backpack while jetlagged, just showing that you don't need $200 bibs to be the first one up the hill.

Dam good view.

This seems to be the cliche Instagram flick of this route, so I had to.

Nature is boring.

The ride was a relaxing 60 mile roll to the scenic dam and back over to Ridgecrest Blvd, otherwise known as the Seven Sisters, which overlooks the ocean on the backside of Tam. We dipped back down 1 ending up in a tourist packed Sausalito where Jason took off to press a 120 mile day.

The few times Jason was not climbing hella far in front of me.

Nuala, who put this shindig together, crests one of the Seven Sisters.

Seven Sisters ocean views.

Jesse hung on for some caffeine with us at Velo Rouge. After his quad latte he'd push on to a 110 mile day (and follow that up with another 110 mile day). Nuala, Aki, and I were happy enough with our scenic detour through the Headlands and called it a night after our own caffeination. This was my first time riding with all of these people, always enjoyable to ride with new people, which seems to keep happening here.