Marin County Bicycle Coalition

1. Tennessee Valley Pathway opens in time for Creekside Concerts at the Cabin
Class one pathway links Marin Ave and Shoreline Highway

On Friday, June 15, to the exuberance of Tam Valley residents and many others, Phase One of the Tennessee Valley Pathway officially opened for public use. The new, completely separated-from-traffic pathway runs generally along Coyote Creek and Tennessee Valley Road from the Tam Community Center at Marin Avenue to Shoreline Highway. Phase One included the placement of a new 100-foot span bicycle/pedestrian bridge over Coyote Creek on the west side of Shoreline Highway and the construction of a cantilevered boardwalk along Coyote Creek between the Tam Community Services District (TCSD) Log Cabin and Marin Avenue.

Unlike the old pedestrian bridge near Dipsea Café (which is to remain in place), the new bridge is Americans with Disability Act compliant and is capable of accommodating wheelchairs, pedestrians, bicycles and horses. Upon receiving the necessary clearance from Caltrans, Phase One will also include a signalized crossing of Shoreline Highway at Tennessee Valley Road, providing access to the popular Mill Valley-Sausalito Pathway, a heavily utilized part of Marin’s North-South Greenway and the Regional San Francisco Bay Trail system.

Phase Two construction is scheduled to begin in September, after the endangered California Clapper Rail nesting season, and will involve construction of the pathway portion from Shoreline Highway at Tennessee Valley Road to the Mill Valley-Sausalito Pathway. To ensure that this section of pathway remains accessible during high tide events, a raised boardwalk will be built. Given the environmental sensitivity of the project area, the boardwalk’s 12-inch diameter wooden piles will be vibrated into the ground, thus avoiding the impacts of excavation. Also, a biologist will be required to remain on-site during Phase Two construction, which is expected to be completed by November.

The Manzanita Connector Pathway, currently in the design phase, will eventually provide pedestrians and cyclists with a spur pathway from the Mill Valley-Sausalito Pathway near Frantoio Restaurant to Shoreline Highway near Highway 101 and the Manzanita Park and Ride lot. At present, the County is seeking an easement or possible property purchase from Caltrans for the pathway portion that will run adjacent to the Larkspur Hotel.

The combined $4.6 million Tennessee Valley/Manzanita Pathways project is made possible by Non-motorized Transportation Pilot Program (NTTP), Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) and Transportation for Clean Air (TFCA) funds, as well as by the tireless efforts of past Supervisor Rose, the late Supervisor McGlashan, Supervisor Sears, and many dedicated Tam Valley residents.

2. Seeking trail tales from mountain bikers

MCBC is seeking accounts of friendly, respectful and positive interactions between trail users on Marin's public lands. We all know that the "How are you, great to be out here today, enjoy the trail" type of encounter is the norm between off-road cyclists and folks on foot and horseback. But anecdotal accounts of unpleasant and even angry run-ins featuring mountain bikers who scare horses and hikers off the trail have been recounted by community members at public meetings for years now. These minority stories are told so regularly, they have become accepted as representative of the majority of trail interactions.

MCBC believes these less-than-respectful encounters are very rare – in fact we know they are because we are the cyclists on those trails! 

To set the record straight, MCBC is seeking trail stories from mountain bikers about your positive hiker and equestrian encounters. Let us know about the ways you've met, helped, guided or taught trail users and shared a smile with a non-cyclist.  We'll use your stories on our website, at public meetings, in our newsletter and elsewhere.  So , and we'll let our public land managers know that mountain bikers get along very well indeed with our fellow trail users.

We look forward to reading your Trail Tales!

3. Fundraising goal met for China Camp State Park

Friends of China Camp (FOCC), a non-profit organization -- and MCBC partner -- working to prevent the closure of China Camp State Park on July 1, has met a $250,000 fundraising goal after a successful June 20 evening event at the San Francisco Maritime Museum.

Thanks to the efforts of FOCC, signs are hopeful that State Parks will not close China Camp and its 10+ miles of singletrack open to mountain bikes, as part of state efforts to trim agency budgets. A signed agreement between FOCC and California State Parks now awaits the conclusion of final negotiations.

MCBC applauds the grassroots fundraising campaign led by FOCC, and looks forward to collaborating with this and other partners on improved signage and trail maintenance, erosion control and other beneficial projects at China Camp.

4. Spread the word about the merits of bicycling
Volunteer with MCBC

Want to get involved and have fun with fellow cyclists? Volunteer for one of these upcoming events:

Marin County Fair
Enjoy all things "Fresh, Fun, & Local" at the 2012 Marin County Fair! Join us as either a Valet Bike Parking Volunteer or a MCBC Table Volunteer and get one free pass to the fair! Limited Shifts available, check website for details.

San Rafael Twilight Criterium
"A deafening roar of spectator hoards, gathered around an oval, witnessing carnage.Are they cyclists? Or are they gladiators? Part carnival, part madhouse,part Thunderdome." Find out what this event is all about as you assist with our Valet Bike Parking.

Marin Century
MCBC hosts THE BEST Marin Century rest stop at the Nicasio School on Saturday, August 4. Come out and support the 2,700 cyclists that ride 60, 100 or 200 miles along the back roads of West Marin. Have fun chatting with the cyclists while you prepare and serve food. Encourage riders to enjoy the MCBC lounge while talking about MCBC’s valuable work.

Contact April Spooner at for these and more volunteer opportunities!

5. USPS issues forever stamps celebrating bicycling

The US Postal Service has issued four stamps celebrating bicycles and cycling. They’re Forever stamps, good for the standard First Class 1oz rate anytime you decide to use them. They showcase a kid riding, touring/commuting, road cycling and BMX. Here’s the official blurb from the USPS:

Rendered in graphic retro fashion, these U.S. Postal Service Bicycling (Forever®) stamps celebrate the American love of bicycling, one of the most popular outdoor activities in the country.

Remember the day you learned to ride a bike? That exhilarating sense of freedom is one you never forget and can easily recapture every time you hop on a bike. Perhaps that’s why millions of Americans young and old enjoy bicycling so much.

But bicycling isn’t just fun. It’s also good for the environment and for you. Each ride you take cuts down on traffic congestion, fuel consumption, and vehicle emissions. And riding a bike lowers the risk of obesity, heart disease, and breast cancer, while reducing stress and improving muscle tone and strength.

So climb on! And be the first to help us celebrate this healthy, affordable, and eco-friendly means of transportation with these striking Bicycling stamps.

Art director Phil Jordan designed the stamps using illustrations by San Francisco illustrator John Mattos. Each of the four Bicycling (Forever®) stamps features a different kind of bike and cyclist: a young child learning to ride, a commuter pedaling to work, a road racer intent on the finish line, and an airborne BMX rider.

Text courtesy of bikerumor.com.

6. MMWD Trail Volunteer Opportunities in July

Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) offers volunteer opportunities for trail work on the Miller Creek Trail near the summit of Mt. Tam on July 7 (9 AM-2 PM), and habitat restoration along San Geronimo Creek, near the Lagunitas School, on July 21 (9 AM-2 PM).

Trail Crew: Miller Trail
Saturday, July 7, 9 AM to 2 PM

Join us to improve tread and drainage plus trim vegetation along Upper Miller Trail. Meet at 9 a.m. at the turnout at the top of Miller Trail on East Ridgecrest Blvd. If you reach East Peak park­ing lot you have gone too far.

Habitat Restoration: San Geronimo Creek Stabilization
Saturday, July 21, 9 AM to 2 PM

Come help us restabilize a bank on San Geron­imo Creek by removing invasive blackberries and English Ivy and planting native riparian plants. We will meet at Lagunitas School District parking lot at 1 Lagunitas School Road in San Geronimo at 8:45 a.m. and will walk to the site at 9:00 a.m. Breakfast snacks will be provided and volunteers should bring their own lunch. Ice cream will be served at the end of the event!

For more information, go to MMWD’s Watershed volunteer page, or read about July trail work volunteers here.

7. Upcoming MCBC events

MCBC has a volunteer opportunity for you!   Click here to see what's on our calendar.

Marin County Fair
Saturday, June 30 through Wednesday, July 4
11 AM – 11 PM; Lagoon Park, Marin Civic Center
MCBC is providing Valet Bike Parking.

San Rafael Twilight Criterium
Saturday, July 7
1:20 – 10:00 PM; C Street between 3rd and 4th, San Rafael
MCBC is providing Valet Bike Parking.

Basic Street Skills
Thursday, July 12
6:30 – 8:30 PM; Kaiser Permanente, 99 Montecillo Road, San Rafael

Bike Locally Challenge: Ride to the Movies
Saturday, July 21
6:00 PM; Meet at Good Earth Natural Foods, Fairfax

Women on Wheels Gearing and Hills Clinic
Saturday, July 21
10:00 AM – Noon; Fairfax (location TBD)

Women on Wheels Century/Endurance Ride Preparation Clinic
Saturday, July 28
10:00 AM – Noon; Corte Madera (location TBD)

Ales & Trails
Sunday, August 12
9 AM - 4 PM; Miwok Meadow, China Camp State Park
MCBC is providing Valet Bike Parking.

See an expanded list of events

MESSAGES FROM OTHER ORGANIZATIONS

8. Holstein 100 Bike and Walk Event, Saturday, August 18
100, 65, 35, or 15-mile routes wind along the Pacific coast

Nancy Rumsey of West Marin Senior Services and the Holstein Hundred writes:

Ever wonder why those Holstein cows in rural Marin/Sonoma are so happy when you ride by on your bike? They are enjoying the same stunning scenery you will while cycling the August 18th Holstein 100 Bike Ride/Walk. Much of the challenging longer routes make Levi Leipheimer smile too--Chileno Valley, Marshall-Petaluma Rd and around Dillon Beach and Tomales.

Come ride in the 19th Annual Holstein Hundred Bike Ride and Walking fundraising event, Saturday, August 18, 2012. Choose the right distance for yourself and your family. Pick 100, 65, 35, or 15-mile routes winding along the coast, Tomales Bay, over rolling hills, which begins and ends at Petaluma Junior High School on paved, rural roads in West Marin and Sonoma. New walking/hiking route to Helen Putnam Park, scenic rolling hills with views of Holstein cows, est. 6-miles.  Call West Marin Senior Services (415) 663-8148 or register online here.

For the past 18 years, as one of California’s premier century rides, we offer superior support and safety services, local, fabulous food.  Join the breakfast rally before you ride and a gourmet, mostly organic meal awaits your return. Bring your family and friends to ride, walk or volunteer. Plenty of music, fun and Clover’s Clo the Holstein cows! Practice your mooing!

Marin County Bicycle Coalition
P.O. Box 1115
Fairfax, CA 94978
Office Location: 733 Center Blvd., Fairfax, CA 94930
(415) 456-3469 – phone
(415) 456-9344 – fax
http://www.marinbike.org

The MCBC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. You donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

We are a membership-supported group. If you are not already a paying member, please join today. Printable membership forms are on our website, http://www.marinbike.org.

Thank you for being a part of the solution.

To reach the MCBC Staff:

• Kim Baenisch, Executive Director, 456-3469 x 1#, kim@marinbike.org
• Tom Boss, Membership Director, 272-2756, tom@marinbike.org
• Bob Trigg, Administrator, 456-3469 x 3#, bob@marinbike.org
• April Spooner, Volunteer and Activities Coordinator, 456-3469 x 7#, april@marinbike.org
• Andy Peri, Advocacy Director, 457-0802, andy@marinbike.org
• Alisha Oloughlin, Advocacy Coordinator, 456-3469 x 4#, alisha@marinbike.org
• Erik Schmidt, Off-road Director, 456-3469 x 6#, erik@marinbike.org
• Wendi Kallins, Safe Routes to Schools Program Director, 488-4101, wendi@marinbike.org
• Laura Kelly, Safe Routes to Schools Volunteer Liaison, 456-3469 x 2#, laura@marinbike.org
• Peggy Clark, Share the Road Program Manager, Safe Routes to Schools Project Coordinator, 456-3469 x 8#, peggy@marinbike.org
• Gwen Froh, Safe Routes to Schools Teen Coordinator, 456-3469 x 5#, gwen@marinbike.org
• James Sievert, Safe Routes to Schools Teen Coordinator and Instructor, 510-301-6710, james@marinbike.org
• Shumit DasGupta, Safe Routes to Schools Instructor, 415-307-1557, shu@marinbike.org

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