Keep on Rollin'

There are those who love to test their mettle with the pedal on road bike rides. Then there's the rest of us, looking for something more easygoing, yet still respectable in mileage! Great scenery helps, too! A mellow road bike ride along the Alameda Creek Regional Trail in Fremont is a great way to enjoy a breeze and the scenery of wetlands and salt flats.

The 24-mile (round-trip) trail runs from Niles Canyon, following Alameda Creek to the edge of the San Francisco Bay. Road bikers should follow the paved path on the south side of the creek. Snowy egrets flock to the quarry lakes south of the trail. The marshland turns to salt flats at the edge of the bay. Briny ocean air and whiffs of sulfur mix together. Stay strong, the smellier the trail gets, the prettier the ride.

The rolling hills of Coyote Hills Regional Park loom over marsh ponds, and the Dumbarton Bridge sits on the horizon. Add some twists and turns by following the Bayview Trail around Coyote Hills (it meets back up with the Alameda Creek Regional Trail and adds an additional 2 miles). The winding road follows the shore for unobstructed water views. Roll call!

TIP: Pack a lunch and enjoy views of the South Bay at the picnic tables at the west end of the trail.

Start your ride at the Niles Canyon Staging area in Fremont (map). Parking is available at the staging area.