Great Ride to Creekside

Perusing other cyclists’ ride descriptions can lead to some great discoveries, such was the case with my recent ride Marin County.  Ten hardy riders started on a chilly Friday morning in January from the Marinwood Community Center and headed west on Lucas Valley Road.  The climb over Big Rock hill was brutal as usual, but it did get us warmed up.  Of course, we cooled off quickly on the descent. There is new, smooth asphalt on the downhill, all the way from the crest to the T intersection with Nicasio Valley road, just the place to let the bike roll. But, believe me, you definitely feel the temperature drop 10 degrees or so when the road drops into one of the beautiful, but frigid redwood groves.  You see, redwood trees thrive on the western side of the coastal hills, in pockets of lower land along streams, where the cold air pools in winter. 

The ride continued on through Nicasio, then past the Marin French Cheese Factory.  Cyclists often stop there to regroup, refresh and enjoy the duck pond.

But on this day we continued down the highway and took a right turn on Novato Blvd, toward Stafford Lake.

The sky was a bit hazy on the day of our ride, but Stafford Lake Park was still quite scenic
(note, the above pics are from the internet, not the day of my ride).

and offered something I haven’t seen before – a Hammock Village.  This particular Hammock Village is still under construction, but several hammocks were available for lounging.

It was a bit cool to lounge in the hammocks and we pedaled on toward Novato from Stafford Lake in search of the Creekside Bakery.  I had heard rumors that this was a worthy destination, and it did not disappoint!  
Creekside Bakery is tucked into a nondescript strip mall at Grant and 7^th St, just off Novato Blvd.   To find it, you must walk around the side of the CVS, nearly to the back.

Walking in, you are confronted with a glass case filled with great looking cakes, eclairs, chocolate chiffon slices, etc.  

Continue around the corner of the counter to find amazing cookies, flaky croissants, wonderful scones. Sticky nut rolls, and myriad other treats.  Moreover, they make sandwiches and avocado toast that melts in your mouth.  Did I mention the espresso as well?

Needless to say, we left feeling quite replete for the remainder of our ride.

At this point, it is important to note that the cycling route from Novato Blvd back to Miller Creek is circuitous at best, and luckily we had a guide to pilot us through the myriad turns, and onto the bike/pedestrian path that runs along the freeway (101) from Nave Drive to Miller Creek Rd (thank you David).  

Interesting anecdote about this bikeway.  I rode this path a few years ago with a small group of riders, and recall that where it ends at a 4 way stop on Miller Creek Rd.  On that day the group stopped at the stop sign, and saw another cyclist coming toward us, run the stop sign in his direction.

There happened to be a cop at the intersection and he shouted at the cyclist to STOP! The cyclist ignored that command and took off fast up the bike path. The cop congratulated us on our good behavior (i.e. stopping), and indicated that he was heading up to the other end of the bike path to intercept the guy.  You see, there are no exits off the path.  I can only speculate on how it ended, but it is very possible that the dude was racing his way to a ticket.

The current group cycled the short way back to the start along Miller Creek Rd, realizing that we just had a great day on the bike!