SF Urban Riders volunteers help maintain the McLaren Bike Park every other month on the Fourth Sunday of each month.

Come out and help!

Please RSVP with us by emailing info@sfurbanriders.org. You can also get updates at https://facebook.com/sfurbanriders/events/ or https://instagram.com/sfurbanriders .

The park is in great shape, come out and build your skills, bring your kids. The hours as of 2024 are Spring/Summer: 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Daily; Fall/Winter: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Daily. You can check on the current status of the park (e.g. it’s closed for rain this week) by following the ‘rainout’ page linked at https://sfrecpark.org/facilities/facility/details/McLaren-Bike-Park-422

We’re also working on expanding the bike park and maybe other bike parks in SF – contact us to get involved.

The “Tower Trail” is a well loved trail in San Francisco. It is challenging, scenic, and an important connection. The land it crosses has many stories. Here are some recent ones.

Property History

The Sutro Tower is a radio tower and prominent landmark at the top of a hill near the center of San Francisco, between Mt Sutro and Twin Peaks.

The tower is surrounded by open space. A trail runs around the west and south side of the tower, and has been in existence for many years. It is not a formal trail, yet it is heavily used. It connects the Mt Sutro Open Space Preserve to Twin Peaks. It is a connection in the SFUR “San Miguel Hills Loop”, a potential part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail, and even shows up on city plans.

This open space is owned by a variety of land owners: Sutro Tower Inc owns much of it. The SF Public Utilities commission owns the reservoir and adjacent lands to the east. Some areas are owned by the Recreation and Parks department, a part of the Interior Greenbelt most people don’t know about.

Two properties are remnant from the development of the Midtown Terrace neighborhood. They were abandoned by the original developer for many years. Ideally they would have been acquired for open space by the city or others, yet somehow a property developer (known as Midtown Lands) acquired them in 2020.

Proposed Future

One property is “Zero Palo Alto”, or city lot 2724/002, near the corner of La Avanzada and Dellbrook. This property is a relatively flat open space of about 0.2 acres. It is being subdivided into two lots, which will each likely have two housing units built on them. The access to the lot is across the Rec & Park Interior Greenbelt land. Rec & Park and the developer have come to a proposed agreement for a 50’ easement for utilities and a driveway. This easement has restrictions to keep the buffer space maintained and planted with appropriate landscaping, and to ensure there is no further encroachment on the trail.

The other property is known as “402 Dellbrook Ave.”, or city lot 2724/004. This is south of the Tower, west of the end of Farview Court. It’s about 3 acres. The developer has proposed a subdivision into 19 lots. Eighteen lots for single family homes with accessory dwelling units. One lot for teacher housing (with 40 units). This would also require extending Farview Court across SFPUC and into the subdivision. It also requires significant regrading of the hillside.

This proposed subdivision of the larger property has a trail closing impact on the eastern end of the Tower Trail: this part of the trail appears to run through portions of the proposed housing.

SFUR Position

We believe that this area would be best used as open space but recognize the need for housing. New housing can be built while preserving the existing community multi-use trails, and we urge the City to include that as a requirement for any new development in the area.
This trail has been in use for many years. It is recognized in the 2014 Recreation and Open Space Element of the city’s General Plan. It is shown in the Vision and Proposal for the San Miguel Hills Bioregional Park, published in 2010 by a coalition of San Francisco conservation groups.

Our secondary concern is the open space itself. As shown in the Bioregional Park proposal, this area is part of a large contiguous open space consisting of the Rec & Park, SFPUC, and Tower properties and part of a larger open space consisting of other properties separated only by a street.

How You Can Help

Review the plans and send the Planning Department your feedback.

The planning proposal is here , with even more details and documents on the SF Planning site

You can read the SFUR initial feedback here.

Send your feedback to Claudine.Asbagh@sfgov.org; feel free to copy info@sfurbanriders.org and D7 Supervisor Meglar’s staff at melgarstaff@sfgov.org as well.

Update: As of May 25th, the Planning Department Response is out, see here, or the planning site linked above.

Please share area history and your feedback on our position with us! Email to info@sfurbanriders.org.

This is one step of many in this project, so follow us on our newsletter (subscribe on this page), Facebook, or instagram. If you’d like to be included in extra email about this project, just drop us a note.

California Mountain Biking Coalition (CAMTB) and SF Urban Riders are thrilled to announce a partnership with Crankbrothers to support more and better bike-friendly trails in California this Spring, 2023. Donate $5 or more via the form below today to be automatically entered into the drawing. One lucky donor will take home this one-of-a-kind Commencal T.E.M.P.O. with the finest components from Crankbrothers, Industry 9, Cane Creek, Fizik, Hayes, Pro Taper, Continental, and Wrench and Roll. Make your donation by May 31, 2023 @ 11:59 PM Pacific.

80% of the donations made using via this web page or Giving URL will go directly to SFUR and support the trails and programs we provide to the local community.

Drawing Prizes

Grand Prize: Custom Commencal T.E.M.P.O. Dream Bike (Size Medium)

First Runner-Up: Crankbrothers Synthesis Alloy Industry9 Wheel Set

Second Runner-Up: Crankbrothers Shoe and Pedal Prize Pack

---

About the Crankbrothers Special Edition Commencal T.E.M.P.O. Dream Bike

To help further our shared vision for more and better bike-friendly trails in California, Crankbrothers has collaborated with Commencal, Industry 9, Cane Creek, Fizik, Hayes, Pro Taper, and Continental, to give away a one-of-a-kind trail bike showcasing some of the finest components on the market. The Crankbrother’s Special Edition Commencal T.E.M.P.O. premiered to rave reviews at the 2023 edition of the world’s premier cycling festival, Sea Otter Classic. 

As a brand with a passion for building premium components, Crankbrothers has always had an appreciation for a well-built custom bike – there is something special about a collection of highly-curated parts coming together in harmony to create a two-wheeled, trail-ripping machine that can’t simply be purchased off the showroom floor. But there’s perhaps one thing that we bike nerds love even more: an opportunity to give back to the cycling community. 

This winter, record-breaking rainfall hit California’s trail systems hard, leading to widespread trail closures due to flooding and erosion. Many of the affected trails are still in need of repair and maintenance, limiting options and trail access for members of our cycling community.

In its search for ways we could help, Crankbrothers struck up a conversation with CAMTB and its member community to help support the restoration and expansion of California’s bike-friendly trail network. Inspired by the lush chaparral-covered California hillsides (greener than ever thanks to the record rain totals mentioned above), Crankbrothers Special Edition 2023 Commencal T.E.M.P.O. frame sports a custom sage camouflage paint scheme, hand-crafted by the artists at Element 6.

Crankbrothers made the obvious choice to equip this dream bike with its top-shelf Synthesis Carbon Enduro rims with custom graphics and laced to Industry Nine Hydra hubs, a Highline 7 dropper post and remote, as well as its limited edition “Camo Green” Stamp 7 pedals in keeping with the theme.

In addition, Wrench and Roll assisted with preparation and assembly. Crankbrothers and CAMTB would like to thank all of the industry partners who contributed to this build, including Commencal, Industry 9, Cane Creek, Fizik, Hayes, ProTaper, and Continental.

Grand Prize: Complete custom-built, size Medium, Commencal T.E.M.P.O. mountain bike (estimated retail value: $10,000 USD).

• Spokes: Sapim Bladed
• Brakes: Hayes Dominion T4/T2
• Rotors: Hayes 203 Front/180 Rear
• Tire Front: Continental Krypotal 2.4 Re Trail Casing
• Tire Rear: Continental Xynotal 2.4 Trail Casing
• Crankset: SRAM XX Carbon transmission 
• Groupset: SRAM XX Transmission 

• Pedals: Crankbrothers Stamp 7 Camo edition 
• Handlebars: ProTaper A25
• Stem: ProTaper A35 stem 32mm
• Grips: ProTaper
• Seatpost: Crankbrothers Highline 7 with Ti hardware
• Saddle: Fizik Alpaca Trail
• Bottom Bracket: SRAM Dub
• Headset: Acros

About the Partners

Define Your Trail.

From humble beginnings in a Laguna Beach garage, Cranbrothers has grown into a globally recognized, leading brand of pedals, wheels, dropper posts, pumps, tools, and accessories. Crankbrothers products are tested and proven by world-class athletes but are created to improve every rider’s experience. They engineer mountain bike components that deliver superior function through disruptive design. Its design philosophy is simple: start with a clean slate, and finish with a product that makes each ride better than the last.

Learn more at www.crankbrothers.com

---

More Trails. Better Trails.

The California Mountain Biking Coalition CAMTB leverages the collective voice of California mountain bikers and other human-powered trail riders to expand and enhance bike-friendly trails in California. Together, and with the support of our 30-member organizations, we advocate for the larger mountain biking community by:

• Providing a unifying voice for California mountain and gravel bikers across the state
• Engaging Legislators and Major Land Managers
• Tracking and influencing legislation and elections
• Cultivating, connecting, and developing shared resources for bike-friendly trail stewards 
• Facilitating a member-led Advisory Council, our MTB brain-trust
• Amplifying the amazing land stewardship being undertaken by our member organizations
• Building Cooperative Cross-Pollinated Community of MTB advocates in California

Giveaway Rules:

Visit www.camtb.org/crankbros for the complete giveaway rules, including free entry into the give away.

Laguna Honda Recap

It’s been another great year maintaining the trail system and habitat in our partnership with Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center. We completed Phase 3 of the project, with the opening of Dan’s Lost Trail and several re-routes and rebuilds elsewhere in the system. Installed a wayfinding system as a project from a Scout from Troop 333. Planted many plants–and seeded so many more. Funding was provided by the SF Community Challenge Grant program, with assistance from JINS, Sierra Nevada, our SFUR Supporters and, very importantly , the dozens of volunteers who put over a thousand hours into the project.

Our trail and habitat workdays continue on the 2nd Saturday of every month at 9AM at Laguna Honda. Next events on January 8th and February 12th.

McLaren Bike Park

In late November, we held a volunteer day with Rec Park at the McLaren Bike Park. From Jay: “We swept, shoveled, cleaned muddy dirt out of the drains and rebuilt a couple of the perimeter rollers. It was fun work and rewarding as always to see what a difference a couple hours of maintenance makes.” We plan to return several more times this winter, drop us a note or follow our social media to stay in the loop.

The park is in great shape, come out and build your skills, bring your kids. It’s open from 10:00 to 5:00 Wednesday through Sunday. You can check on the current status of the park (e.g. it’s closed for rain this week) by following the ‘rainout’ page linked at https://sfrecpark.org/facilities/facility/details/McLaren-Bike-Park-422

Bells bells bells

Riding with a trail bell improves trail interactions between users. Use a bell, slow and say hello, Our bell programs continue to be a success.

The Twin Peaks area is an ongoing topic of trail usage. Here is (as of October 2021) the current status, topics under discussion, meeting info, and some commentary.

Rec Park Survey extended to 11/7, at

See also Rec Park’s page at https://sfrecpark.org/634/Twin-Peaks-Trails-Improvement-Project

Current Status/History

Twin Peaks has a number of trails and roads.

Since 2016, the “Figure 3” (Twin Peaks Boulevard along the east side of the top of the Twin Peaks) has been closed to cars. This is a permanent status.

Since 2021, Twin Peaks Boulevard between Christmas Tree Point and Burnet has been closed to cars. This is a permanent status.

In 2017, Twin Peaks Boulevard was repaved and re-striped to have a wide uphill shoulder which bicycles and pedestrians can use. Several crosswalks were added.

In 2016, several trails were re-routed, and son after several professionally re-built with stairs.

As of 2021, two of those trails (over Noe Peak, and connecting the Figure 3 to the crosswalk below) are scheduled and funded to be professionally re-built with stairs soon.

In Fall 2021, Rec & Park is looking for design input on the “Promenade” or “Figure 3” section.

Twin Peaks Promenade

What is the Twin Peaks Promenade? It’s the road which goes around the east side of the top of Twin Peaks, also known as the “Figure 3”.  

Five years ago, it was closed to cars. The Recreation and Park Department would like to make the road more park-like, including removal of part of all of the concrete wall, part of all of the pavement, the trails, etc. 

What do you think of their plans?

SF Urban Riders look forward to improvements in this space. We have concerns, such as loss of gathering areas, trail style change from engaging to less engaging, and connectivity.

We have some concept comments in drawing form. The concept goals are as follows:

• Retain paved multi-use path
• Retain/recreate engaging trails.
• Limit car ingress. Visually, depave enough to make it clear this is not a road. The barriers today are unsightly, and I hear they are sometimes crossed by cars anyway.
• Retain much of the wall and gathering areas. This means depaving primarily around ‘gateways’.
• Improve connectivity.
• Rebuild Crestline/bus stop to promenade connection. Perhaps a flatter grade as well, though there’s habitat and terrain constraints. Consider step design which welcome people to stay on trail.
• Connect to Christmas Tree Point. Make it appear (from the ‘restroom’ area) welcoming. Today, people avoid connecting, or simply use the middle of the road.
• Improve trail past fire reservoir towards Marview.
• Maintain connectivity to existing trails.
• Habitat improvements by reclaiming some space from pavement.

What do you think of the SFUR plans or the Rec & park plans?

Three ways to send feedback to Rec & Park:

 * A virtual meeting Wednesday, 10/27,  5:30-6:30 pm,  
 * A survey which closes 10/31 11/7, 
 * And you can also email us with your feedback and how you use it today. We’ll collect it and present it to Rec Park and other stakeholders, and use it to update the post on our website before the virtual meeting.