Anyone up for E-dirt ride in San Francisco?

[Green Machine]

Any electric bike that can make a fire road should be good. this ride should be 95 percent car free....there is plenty of dirt but for those who want to stay safe and sane just stick to the fire road...

There are some pretty good climbs in the marin headlands...but depending on your bike if you need to hike it you need to hike it...nothing too extreme.

For battery considerations of the "pack" (our group)...my suggestion would be to ride across the gg bridge and then go down to Kirby Cove at the base of the golden gate bridge. Round trip we are talking 10 miles from Sf with the only difficult climb a one mile climb out from kirby cove on a fire road...worse come to worse you can push your bike up this fire road... Another suggestion is i know a really low key bar that is ebike friendly on the base of the golden gate bridge called presidio yacht club. They will allow us to charge our bikes there if there are riders who need a boost and have a good charger. Maybe some will decide to do presidio yacht club after Kirby Cove and get a quick "top up" before riding home.

We could do a ebike barbecue at kirby cove, and then bike with enough amp hours and enough climbing power could do the headlands loop...that is a really nice ride. I would think to do the entire ride with loop you would need 15ah...but for those who opt for shorter kirby cove or presidio yacht club ride you would only need at most 10ah. (i am talking 36 or 48 volts which you probably will need for climb out)

If you guys decide to do the kirby cove barbecue, i can carry/supply the grill and meats etc on my bike.

For those who battery is a consideration it is always a nice option to pedal across the golden gate bridge. It is relatively flat and a safe and nice ride. If you pedal both ways across the bridge you will save a good 2ah.

I may have an extra bike or two with 10ah 48 volts if someone needs a loaner. i should be able to bring 3 hard core ebikers as well, also members of es here.

So what do you guys think...barbecue at kirby cove? What i like about kirby cove is it is beatiful, isolated (only bikers or hikers can get there and it is long ways), and then we have hard core meeting place. People who want to opt for shorter ride can drive direct to the headlands, and coast down from the top on even a non-electric bike and meet us at the base.

There are plenty of harder core dirt stuff that can be ridden in this vicinity for those who want to branch out after the barbecue.

i think if we are really going to do this we should promote it in the activities seciton of the site. Are we sure about sunday? Lets come up with a time and start promoting. Trust me the kirby cove ride is a fantastic one...

I have here a detail of the exact ride i am suggesting that me and 2 other es members did (mr electric and ilia from ebikes sf)...you can find more in the middle of this page: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=15335&start=30

kirby cove

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kirby cove beach

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exert from the 'headlands loop ride"

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tunnel on the loop ride

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riding ebikes over golden gate

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[magudaman]

ARG sand!!!! Don't you know that is like the worst environment for a bike! I'm there but I may only have the one bike working.

[Green Machine]

Hey...sand is bad...i run my dog on the beach atleast 4 days a week currently on ebike...yikes

Weather is iffy for Sunday....chance of sprinkles.


If you guys are up for it do you want to set it in stone and make the announcement? Or do you want to wait for future sunny spring sunday?


I myself dont mind a little rain.

My advice is just too dress warm and you will be fine...if it rains too hard we can head to bar at base of golden gate.

But it could be better just to wait and see what another weekend brings in terms of forecast....spring days are the clearest and best here by the coast in SF....

Whats the group consenses....do the ride regardless of weather or wait for a better day??

bike on beach

[aaronski]

I vote we go this Sunday, rain or shine, and when the weather perks up more. As for the sand, I'll just lock my bike to a tree right before the sand. it's a pretty remote location, I"m not worried about theft.

[Olivettibakebean]

As long as my bike is running I'm there. BMS turned up today just about to wire it up. Have a 12ah battery so should be ok with the distance and such. Agree the weather may not be the best but again not scared of a little rain.

[liveforphysics]

I'm back from China, in the bay area, and down for some dirt fun.

[Olivettibakebean]

If you guys decide to do the kirby cove barbecue, i can carry/supply the grill and meats etc on my bike.

Have to say weather permitting this also sounds like a great idea, let me know if i can help in anyway.

[Green Machine]

So do you guys want to meet up at the sports basement parking lot in san francisco crissy field around 12? Its ok to leave your car in this parking lot by the way cyclists meet here all the time to begin there weekend rides...if cyclists can do it ebikers can do it!


...Anyway on the weekend the bike only lane on the golden gate bridge (west side) will be open so we wont have to deal with walking tourists. electric bikes are suppose to have the power off over the golden gate bridge..so we shouldn't flaunt motor while riding over...especially in a group. Marin county cyclists are a grumpy set of farts and they can scream at us if our true identity becomes obvious. I am always afraid of getting a warning from te bridge patrol and getting on some goverment ebike watch list..anyway the ride over the golden gate bridge is of course fantastic and should be enjoyed at low speed anyway.

Those who dont want to make the golden gate ride or are running late can park your car at the base of kirby cove for a much shorter ride/walk... you can find kirby cove online but basically you make the first turn off after crossing the golden gate bridge into marin...i believe it is the sausalito exit..you exit and then cross under the tunnel as if your going back over the gg bridge, and take the first turn off on the right and head into the headlands...you will park in the first touristy parking lot you see in front of Battery Hendrik...a world war II bunker...walk up the paved road a bit and you will see a dirt trail going down that is barred off...that is the entrance to Kirby Cove...follow the swirvy firey road (on bike or foot no car) to the bottom. Google map these coordinates: 37.828644,-122.490558 ... this road is about a mile downhill and is our buffer to the world...not everyone is able to go up and down this road as effortless as we will...by the way this is the last weekend kirby is closed to campers....this weekend kirby will be all ebikers.

Bring plenty of amp hours because there are really beautiful trails to explore here, those who dont have dirt equipped bikes dont fear..i have done this ride many times with no suspension and street tires...but this is a fire road and is not suitable for pure road bikes...you need some tread. The main paths are not that "dirty"...more like fire roads...but there is plenty hairy hilly areas for those who want to ride off the main road and get crazy.

Minimum amp hours you will want for this ride is 36 volt 10ah... if you dont have consider driving to marin and starting your ride from the marin side. I like to bring 48 volts 20 amp hours for serious exploration...

I will bring a barbecue grill set up and something to grill (loaded on my bike you will see)...feel free to bring something for the group to snack on or drink.

Marin headlands is alcohol friendly by the way.

So primary meeting area will be at 12:00:

Sports Basement - Crissy Field
610 Old Mason Street
San Francisco, CA 94129

The plan will be to arrive at kirvy cove on our bikes at 1:30

I am assuming we will break out of kirby cove on open ride at around 3pm... i would suggest the headlands loop...about a 5 mile ride....and a giant hill...but you can skip this part if your batteries arent up to it.

If all sounds good above let me know..if anyone wants to change anything about the ride post here....but lets finalize the plan so we can get the word out.

Once we arrive at kirby cove...we can have our barbecue...wait for latecomers to show up (maybe), and from there we are free to explore any which way.

I really recommend this ebike ride for those who havent done it before..it is freaking fabulous with tons to see and explore....in fact i know a secret entrance into a tunnel system that goes for miles...hmmmm nevermind.

If you have been following this thread and you really want to go but dont have a suitable bike...message me i might be able to help you out with a loaner bike.

[Olivettibakebean]

Sounds like a solid plan to me, got my battery finished and charged today. Strange thing was it only charged for 5 mins before the fans turned off and the LED went green. Maybe they come with a factory charge and I just topped it off I'm not sure. I will prob have my first full test tomorrow, fingers crossed.
Really hope the weather holds out for Sunday and we can really make a day of it. I will do some pedaling to save some ah but I will also bring my charger, maybe we will find a place to plug in.

If all goes well I will see you at: 12:00 @
Sports Basement - Crissy Field
610 Old Mason Street
San Francisco, CA 94129.

Will keep my eye on this thread for changes.

[aaronski]

Agreed. Will meet you at 12!

[Rassy]

Damn, you Californians are having all the fun. First Lyen with that 100 mile ride at Holister and now this. I was born in San Francisco in 1940, but the folks moved to Eugene, Oregon in 1941.

Wife and I lived in the Bay Area in the early '70's when I worked at Redwood City for the County of San Mateo.

Enjoy, I'll be looking for experiences and pictures.

[Green Machine]

So chance of light rain tomorrow in SF...40% chance.

dress warm and we will be ok...today is suppose to be worse than tomorrow and today is fine....just did ebike ride in fact and it was fantastic.

We all agreed we stick with plan of meeting despite a little less than ideal weather?

[mr.electric]

A few photos and a video from a previous ride to Kirby Cove http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDSFS-toyEU

[aaronski]

I'll be there. charging pack now. (wow it's 1 am)

[Olivettibakebean]

Got my bike together and just had my first test ride. Will meet you guys tomorrow with my rough finished bike.

[aaronski]

in my experience they're always roughly finished.

[Olivettibakebean]

Well I gave up at 10pm when the elec key switch started flicking on/off but couldn't stop thinking about it, so its now just a plug. Turn signals don"t flash? No idea why. Speed on the CA not working, brake lights not setup yet and the lid on the battery box not fitting so great. None the less the test run around the mission at 1am was a real success and have a fixed grin on my face.

Fingers crossed for a nice day, see you tomorrow.

[Green Machine]

Ok so weather is looking pretty good right now in the city and for the day. Right now by the ocean it is partly cloudy. The vistas will be good today...53 degrees...bit bristly so dress warm.

According to hourly forecast there is a 30% chance of showers in the late afternoon...so we should be more than fine for the ride. Even if it does rain it should be light.

I still have an extra bike and battery if someone is without a suitable ride message me.

If your reading this and your for sure going please leave a message here so we know how many to expect.

[Olivettibakebean]

Bike charging, I'm off to buy some food and will see you at the Sports Basement @ 12.

[aaronski]

Bart Sunday time table has tripped me up a bit. Leaving now, be there 12:15 or so. If everyones gone I can catch up.
Phone is 415-676-0543 if your curious.

[Alan B]

Sounds like a great ride. Hope to be ready and available next time!

[Olivettibakebean]

Also going to be a little late like 12:20 at the latest.

[Olivettibakebean]

Well I made it home, bike charging and really happy with my first days ride. My chain broke on the way home which was weird but was soon fixed. I will edit down some of the video I shot today and upload a link for you guys who made it out today. Thanks again Ollie.

[magudaman]

Sounds awesome guys I hope I can make it next time.

[Green Machine]

Well I made it home, bike charging and really happy with my first days ride. My chain broke on the way home which was weird but was soon fixed. I will edit down some of the video I shot today and upload a link for you guys who made it out today. Thanks again Ollie.

Hi Olie,

Did you have battery all the way home or did she die?

It would be great to see your video.

ERIC