CA - Bay Area Ridge Trail?

[Bndst]

Hey all,

New to the forum, semi-new to bikepacking. Having done a number of over-nighters, I'm starting to plan out a longer, multi-day trip. I have a general idea of what I'd like to do and where I'd like to start/go/finish, but am new to the planning side of things when it comes to a longer trip so I'm looking for some route advice from y'all more experienced folks.

So, my (very loose) plan is to utilize as much of the Bay Area Ridge Trail as possible on a 3-5 night trip starting and ending in Oakland (where I live) or San Francisco (where my shop is), with an emphasis on being off road as much as possible. I know the trail is still very spotty in places and the maps I can find on the web (http://www.ridgetrail.org/interactive_map/&Itemid=99/) are a little lacking in the details of what to do to connect everything into the complete proposed network. Has anyone done anything involving the Bay Area Ridge (hiking or cycling-just looking for general trail advice really)? Are there any good resources for trail/topo/detailed maps of the Bay Area that I'm overlooking (I've really only used Gmaps and the Ridge Trail.org site at this point, as adventure maps has nothing for the Bay)?

Any and all help is much appreciated!

Thanks,
Chris

[sam.pederson]

I've done parts of the ridge trail in the SC mountains. It was fantastic. Sections of fire road and singletrack that run alongside Skyline BLVD. Word to the wise, some sections of the ridge trail are NO BIKES.

My feedback on this route: Sounds like a fantastic idea. However, I think you should drop the idea of specifically riding the ridge trail around the bay. Instead, focus on riding trails that follow the ridge. That would allow you to hit more singletrack and be on the dirt more. Much of the ridge trail is concrete.

I'd suggest piecing your own route together using Krebs cycle maps. Those will show you the easiest routes.

Finally, if you are interested in a partner for the trip, private message me. I lived in SF for a long time, I'm in Santa Cruz now but it's easy for me to get up to the bay.

[MattL]

I've done day rides that include parts of the ridge trail.  If memory serves, I was technically in Russian Ridge and Long Ridge OSPs, but who can keep track of the borders up there.  I would be happy to do a trip with other locals.  Not sure where there is camping in the east bay, but down here it's only Monte Bello OSP, IIRC.