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Book Cover |
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Excerpt |
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Marin is unique in the Bay Area,
indeed unique in the country, for its rich environmental treasures.
No other county can boast 3 national parks, 6 state parks and
more than 20 other open space and water district lands. From
the coastal cliffs of Point Reyes National Seashore to the ridges
and valleys of Marinwood Community Services District, an open
trail is only a stones throw away for most residents.
Soft paths through shady conifer
woodland, and verdant moss-covered rocks can be found on Mt.
Tamalpais. Historic ranches and grazing cattle dot the ridges
and valleys of West Marin. Magnificent coastal ranges lie at
the edge of our continent, and redwood forests form an intricate
web of life with animals and shade-loving plants. This is the
Marin that nature lovers treasure.
Mountain biking is a great
way to see this natural Marin. When mountain biking pioneers
like Joe Breeze made their inventions widely available, we gained
a great form of transportation. On the bike, you can become one
with the environment and revel in the freedom of the open trail.
There is a trail for every type of rider in Marin, whether you
love the camaraderie of the well-used arteries to the top of
Tam, or a remote single track where your only company might be
the solitary fox or a bevy of quail.
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Synopsis |
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Mountain Biking Marin is a book of mountain bike
rides in Marin County, California. There are 40 rides that cover
a large section of Marin County, but mostly focus on the southern
and central sections. Each trail has a Trail Description, Distance,
Riding Time, Elevation Change, Difficulty, and Technical Rating.
Also included is a Map and an Elevation Profile. There is also
a guide that informs you what to expect from specific rides;
like Best Rides with Single Track, Advanced / Expert Rides, Best
Beginner Rides, Good Winter Rides, etc. There are also six sections
in the Appendices that talk about things like; Bike Maintenance
and Repair, Quick Tips to Improve Riding Skills, Jurisdictions
and Local Resources, etc.
Each ride takes two pages, with
the trail info on one page and the map on the other. The Trail
Log starts with a mileage marker followed by a description of
what you need to do at this point. Also, the authors have included
Junction Numbers on the map that correspond with the Trail Log.
The Elevation Profile is one of the most useful items provided.
The map is a 3D map, rather than a Topographical map, which has
both advantages and disadvantages.
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Review |
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I have been using
Mountain Biking Marin for
about 6 months, and I really like it. I found it great to be
able to see how the landscape rises or falls, but at the same
time it took me a while to really figure out how to read the
maps properly. But once I could, I found I liked the 3D maps.
I did find a few problems with the Junction Numbers, but the
mistakes are easily figured out. Another nice thing about this
book is that it isn’t too big, so it is easy to slide into
your hydration unit so you can bring it on the trail with you.
I have ridden at least eight of the rides in this book, using
this book as a guide, and have enjoyed all of them. I have pulled
my daughter on some of them, and climbed some incredibly tough
hills on others.
So, if you are looking for a
mountain biking book that covers all kinds of rides in Marin County,
Mountain Biking Marin is
a great book to pick up. |
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