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Event Information
The Tour de Mermaid is a "for fun" bike ride that will start and finish in San Francisco at the Presidio. Make it a leisure ride with the family or choose from one of the advanced routes that offer challenging climbs and miles of scenic roads. All routes cross over the Golden Gate Bridge for an unparalleled riding experience and picturesque views of San Francisco. You can stay relatively flat on one of the Beginner/Recreational Routes or challenge yourself with the Intermediate and Advanced Routes. Your effort will be rewarded with awe-inspiring views of San Francisco and the Pacific Ocean.
Starting Windows
The open starting window gives you flexibility to begin your ride when YOU want.
6:30 am to 7:30 am: Advanced Start - 40 Mile & 60 Mile Routes
7:00 am to 8:30 am: Beginner and Intermediate Start - 7 Mile, 11 Mile, 20 Mile, 30 Mile Routes
Route Overview
Recreational and Beginner Routes
The Golden Gate Tour is a recreational and family friendly route that allows you to soak in the spectacular views, while you ride at your own comfortable pace. The ride crosses the Golden Gate Bridge and features the least amount of climbing. The ride begins with a flat 1 mile warm and then makes a short climb from Crissy Field up to and over the Golden Gate Bridge. You’ll turnaround at the north end of the bridge, snap some photos, take in the views and then head back to Crissy Field for a post ride celebration.
Interactive Map: Golden Gate Tour
Distance: 7.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 489 ft
Ride Type: Road, paved bike path
The beginner friendly route allows you to soak in the spectacular views, while you ride at your pace. You’ll cross the Golden Gate Bridge and then drop down to Horseshoe Bay. Refill your water bottles and capture panoramic views of the San Francisco skyline. From Fort Baker you'll climb back up to the Golden Gate Bridge and then head to the finish for a post ride celebration.
Interactive Map: Fort Baker Tour
Distance: 11.0 miles
Elevation Gain: 894ft
Ride Type: Road, paved bike
Intermediate Routes
The Sausalito Tour offers the intermediate cyclist the best views of the San Francisco Bay with a couple climbs. Highlights include crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, Fort Baker and riding through Sausalito
Interactive Map: Sausalito Tour
Distance: 19.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,470 ft
Ride Type: Road, paved bike path
If you’re looking for the best views, a few climbs and some extra miles, this route is for you. You’ll head over the Golden Gate Bridge to Fort Baker, ride through Sausalito and wrap your way around to the Town of Tiburon.
Interactive Map: Tiburon Tour
Distance: 31.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,889 ft
Ride Type: Road, paved bike path
Advanced Routes
Breathtaking views don’t come easy and you’ll be repeating that mantra as you take on one of the most scenic climbs in California. Cross the Golden Gate Bridge and get your climbing legs ready as you’re immediately challenged to a 2 mile climb into the Marin Headlands up to Hawk Hill. Worth it? You bet. The climb up gives you great views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Pacific Ocean. Words don’t do the view at the top justice… you’ll just have to experience it for yourself. From there you have a VERY steep and twisty descent through the headlands before you make your way to Fort Baker, Sausalito, Mill Valley and turn around in the Town of Tiburon. Don’t sweat the return trip to Crissy Field. On the way back you’ll bypass the headlands and the big hills. You’ll thank us later!
Interactive Map: Hawk Hill Challenge
Distance: 37.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,800 ft
Ride Type: Road, paved bike path
The Mighty Mermaid, as the name implies, is a challenge -- even for the experienced rider. The route features big climbs, the most spectacular views, and the most miles! The Mighty Mermaid Challenge takes you up, up, and up some more to the top of Hawk Hill. The 2 mile challenging climb is steep, but the views from the top make it worth the effort. From there, you have a twisty, fast descent down through the headlands and before you wrap your way back to the San Francisco Bay shoreline. The remainder of the ride takes you on a classic bay cycling route. You’ll pass through Sausalito, Mill Valley, Tiburon, and into Corte Madera. Highlights include the “Paradise Loop” aptly named as you wrap around Tiburon, towards Corte Madera, on Paradise Dr. From there you’ll head back to Crissy Field to celebrate your accomplishment.
Interactive Map: Mighty Mermaid Challenge
Distance: 59.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 3,566 ft
Ride Type: Road, paved bike path
Mermaids Receive
- Fully supported route
- Course water and food stations
- Post ride food
- Inaugural ride t-shirt
- Inaugural ride charm & medal
