Col du Pantoll — Wednesday Evening Marin Ride

After work on Wednesdays, Mike’s Bikes in Sausalito becomes the staging point for one of Marin’s best structured evening rides. The Col du Pantoll ride sends A, B, C, and D groups up Mt. Tamalpais, which means there’s a realistic pace option for pretty much any fitness level — from riders who climb Tam regularly and want to push the A group to riders who are still finding their climbing legs and want company on the way up. The name comes from the parking area on the Pantoll road, one of Tam’s classic stops.

The route is the draw: Mt. Tamalpais is one of the best climbs in the Bay Area, and doing it on a Wednesday evening — with the fog often clearing off the ridge, the Marin hills green or golden depending on the season — is one of those things Bay Area riders genuinely take for granted. The multi-pace format means the climb doesn’t punish riders who aren’t in A-group shape.

The last Wednesday of each month adds a post-ride BBQ, which extends the evening and gives the different pace groups a chance to actually mix and talk. If you’re new to the ride, connecting through the Achieve Cycling site to find out which group fits you is a smart first step. Show up at Mike’s Bikes at 5:45 — the groups roll close to on time.