You're looking at Andersen Drive
Larkspur Ferry and Back
··· Jul 21 2010 · By ···
I decided to try a little commuter loop to the Larkspur Ferry and back. I had to go up and over the Wolfe Grade one way or another for this ride, so I decided to get it out of the way first. I started out at the base of Wolfe Grade, in Gerstle Park. Using my geared mountain bike I figured it would be no problem. For the most part I was right. The hill is pretty steep, but not undoable with gears. My single speed fixed gear around town bike is great to ride, but not for this ride. Once over the top of the grade, it is a pretty quick coast to the bottom and Sir Francis Drake.
There is a nice creekside bike path and roadway that follows the wash that you see above. This shot is looking west under the 101 bridge that crosses over the bike path. Here are some more memorable photos from this area.
As you can see there were trains that used to pass through these parts, but the automobile seems to have made trains unnecessary. A little more pedaling around this area and you come into the Larkspur Ferry Terminal. At this point I have ridden about 4.5 miles, over two hills with the rest of the ride pretty flat. The well marked bike path really makes this ride worthwhile. There are good signs letting you know where to go by way of the network of bike paths, way to go Larkspur! The Ferry Terminal is a pretty cool place, with plenty of car parking and a good bike parking area too.
Heading back I decided to take Andersen Dr. as it was an easy ride the other day on my fixie. So I headed out on the bike path running along Sir Francis Drake. Along the way I came across a giant statue of who I believe to be of Sir Francis Drake coming ashore, and as I turn around, I see a pretty sun setting next to Mt. Tam, so I snapped some shots.
On toward San Quentin, lots of bad people in there. The road starts to go up hill, to meet up with Andersen. A quick left and it’s all downhill, past the sewage treatment plant, and down to the 2 mile straightaway. Winding my way through the Gerstle Park neighborhood, I get to my destination, home, ready for dinner.
Andersen Drive Bike Route
··· Jul 20 2010 · By ···
I decided that checking out the Andersen Dr. bike route would be a good excuse for a short ride to test out the new tube I put in the other day. So I pulled down my fixed gear Marubeni Yamaguchi Crystal bike and started pedaling.
I take a meandering route through Gerstle Park Neighborhood and Albert Park to ultimately get to Andersen.
Heading east/southeast on Andersen is pretty easy, as the majority of the road is flat and level. A fairly well marked bike lane and light traffic makes this route seem like a great option for getting to the Larkspur ferry. After you pass Marin Sanitary Servces, the road begins a mild snaking up a small pass on the way to Sir Francis Drake. I made it up the hill with one gear (46×16), but I had to stand and crank to do it. With gears this hill is no problem. You will notice the water reclamation plant on the left as you go up the hill. A quick right onto Sir Francis Drake will get you to the Larkspur Ferry in a few minutes.
Here are some of the highlights (and lowlights) of the ride.
- Light traffic
- Good bike lane
- Fairly flat
- Water Reclamation and Marin Sanitary = kind of smelly
- Not too pretty, kind of industrial
All in all, this 2.5 mile stretch of bike lane is pretty good, and if I have to take the ferry somewhere, I will probably choose this route just for its ease, even though it is about 1.5 mile longer than going up and over Wolfe Grade to Sir Francis Drake. I will test that route another time.