The biggest problem with getting outside in the Bay Area? Being spoiled for choice. We’re trimming that process by getting the goods straight from the experts. Previously, we discovered the top Bay Area paddle and a less-than-shabby waterfall backpacking trip.
Today: a tour by electric bike of the twistiest, curviest spots in the city courtesy of Bolt Motorbikes co-founder Nathan Jauvits, who, P.S., has a doctorate in mechanical engineering, so we’re going to trust his appraisal that these are, in fact, “the most thrilling twisties” in all the town.
“In San Francisco, there are few (if any) places where you can travel faster than 40 miles per hour. This journey captures some of the most thrilling twisties and epic views of San Francisco.
First: Coffee to fuel the morning at Philz on Castro Street in the Mission. Leave at 6 AM on Saturday so the roads are ours. To ‘warm up,’ climb Market Street to Portola. The sun is rising over the Bay to our left.
To get a better view, we climb the back side of Twin Peaks.
What goes up must come down, so we loop the tower and head back down the serpentine south side of Twin Peaks, which dumps us onto O’Shaughnessey, where the fun continues. Though the speed limit is 35 MPH, this is one of the only places in the city to hit 45, and with the twisties all to ourselves, we blast all the way to Bosworth.
Cruising on a calm city morning down Mission, we hit the hills of Bernal Heights for one of the most epic views of the city. Golden Gate Bridge pokes over the distant hills of the Presidio, and the TransAmerica building towers over the city. One last twisty downhill on Bernal Heights Road, which dumps us onto Folsom, a short shot to a final fill-up at Philz Coffee on 24th and Folsom.”
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If you’re looking for the best electric bike for the ride, we suggest Bolt’s M-1 electric motorbike, now available for preorder ($500 saves you a spot). Gets up to 35 miles on a single charge. Parks anywhere (“even the sidewalk”). You don’t even need a license.
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