On Presidents’ Day we ventured over the Richmond Bridge to the Cataract Falls Trail on Mount Tamalpais. This trail is spectacular after rain, and the weather obliged – plenty of water in the stream, but not too much mud. We started at the top at the Rock Spring Trailhead, made our way down the trail to Lake Alpine, where we enjoyed a well-deserved lunch, then climbed back to the cars, taking time to catch our breath/admire the cataracts on the way back up the hill.
What better way to start a new year than to hike with the VeloRaptors? We followed a similar route to the October 2024 hike, but this time we “visited” the ladybugs wintering along Stream Trail, and tested the new bridge on Starflower Trail that has been constructed from a fallen redwood tree.
An adventurous group met at the Ferry Building in San Francisco and took the ferry to Angel Island. We hiked up Mount Livermore, where we enjoyed lunch with a spectacular view of the Golden Gate. There was time to learn more about the history of Angel Island at the U.S. Immigration Station before catching the ferry back to civilization.
Four Velos being harassed on the links by young ladies bearing libations. They called us the ‘Four Silver Foxes‘!
Metric – a Month! One of the attributes of VeloRaptors is their ability to ride moderate to long distances. In fact, during one phase of VeloRaptor history, Howard Neal somehow persuaded several members to join him in participating in the World UltraCycling Association Year-Rounder challenge: basically riding a Century a Month during a year. Lots of fun and great memories are associated with those rides.
Well, that was ten (plus) years ago, and several participants from that era miss the rides, but not the suffering of a century. So, now, being older and maybe wiser, the club has decided to organize a VeloRaptor Metric-a-Month ride series to help us all stay in shape and enjoy the VeloRaptor group dynamic.
These metrics will generally be on Wednesdays as many of us are riding anyway. Starting in January, one Wednesday a month, riders have the option of a “Metric Century,” in addition to the regular Wednesday ride.
Our first Monthly Metric was January 8, and we had a fabulous turnout that included 19 riders!
We started with a large group at the top of Little Pinehurst. Some riders peeled off, but 19 stayed the course. Our next Monthly Metric will be in mid-March!
The Metric Century for March will be on Wednesday, March 19 at 9:30AM, and we will be riding in Marin, from the Marinwood Community Center at Lucas Valley Road and Miller Creek Road. The tentative route is attached, and I’ll send out more details closer to the date. LMK if you’re planning to come.
— Rob
P.S. Here is the route.
A small but select group met in Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park at the Canyon Meadow Staging Area, and headed up Stream Trail to Tres Sendas, then headed up Starflower Trail to French Trail. After meandering through redwoods and bay-oak terrain, we braved the steep descent of Orchard Trail to Bridle.
The VeloRaptor Club organizes hikes approximately every month. These offer the opportunity to get to know other club members who ride at different times (and speeds), while enjoying the outdoors. Or to spend more time with your friends.
Hikes are typically moderately challenging – about 6 miles long, with some elevation gain. They are announced to members on the website, with details on the route, level of difficulty, and other information. There is an RSVP link on the calendar.
We love meeting family and friends on these hikes, so bring them! Ideas for future hikes are very welcome – especially if you are willing to be the lead on one of these.
Contact Fiona Doyle or Gary McCormick with any questions or ideas.
The inaugural VeloRaptor hike on 9/20/2025 was in Anthony Chabot Regional Park. 20 intrepid members followed a beautiful loop from the Clyde Woolridge Staging Area down the Jackson Grade to the Stone Bridge, picked up the Brandon trail and went south to Two Rocks trail, from which we dropped down to the Columbine trail, then returned via Lake Chabot on the Goldenrod trail.
