Here's a classic mixed terrain ride on Mt. Tam with plenty of dirt. Perfect for a gravel bike, cross bike, or a hardtail mountain bike. Your full suspension might be a little overkill, but fun on the dirt descents. Start in Mill Valley. Easy free parking right where Almonte Boulevard and Miller Avenue meet, by Tam High. Cruise into downtown Mill Valley and wiggle onto West Blithedale Ave. Follow it out through the redwoods until you get to a turnoff for Old Railroad Grade.

Railroad Grade is a long sustained climb up to the top of Mt. Tam, but we're only going to the West Point Inn, which is about 2/3 of the way to the top. It's a 5ish mile dirt climb that never gets too steep, and is beautiful all the way to the top. It's mostly shaded, has incredible views, and there's even a waterfall on your right which is a great place to dunk your cycling cap on a hot day.

When you get to the West Point inn, there's picnic benches and sometimes snacks at the inn (great lemonade). Take a break, and then head down Old Stage Road (a dirt road) which descends to the Pantoll Ranger Station. Old Stage is a chill descent and you can easily get going pretty fast - be careful for hikers and folks riding uphill! At the bottom of Old Stage, you'll cross Panoramic Highway and enter the ranger station parking lot. There's water here. Keep riding through the lot and follow signs for Coastal View trail - some of the only legal singletrack on Mt. Tam!

Coastal View is a twisty gem of a trail with a lovely section that goes through the woods. It's not too technical but definitely has some features to pay attention to, including several rutted out sections. The views here are unsurprisingly lovely and the riding is phenomenal. At the bottom of the trail, bomb down Highway 1 into the town of Muir Beach. Hungry? Thirsty? Stop at the Pelican Inn.

On the left hand side will be the turn off for Diaz Ridge trail. This is a longer climb which switchbacks up the hill - good practice for your technical skills! It's not too steep, but it's exposed and it can be a grind. That said, it's a lot more relaxed than battling traffic climbing Highway 1. At the top, you'll descend back towards the road, and hang a left onto it, descending Highway 1 back into Mill Valley. Grab a cup of coffee at the Equator Coffee at Tam Junction, and then hang a left back to where you parked.