This book is for you if: (a) you]re new in town and want to discover the most popular rides in the area; (b) you]re a tourist who wants to see a different side of America]s most visited city, a side you can view only from the seat of a bicycle; or (c) you]re a Bay Area resident who wants to learn some extremely cool, tucked-away little bicycle routes that might otherwise take you years of exploring to discover. You will not need a car to do any of the 24 rides in this book. All routes were researched and recorded using 100 percent human power. (Well, that and public transportation!) Most rides start right in San Francisco, while others can be accessed through connections with other rides that start in town or via public transportation. About half the routes are inside the city limits. The other half go through nearby open space and rural areas. San Francisco is truly blessed by large areas of open space where a cyclist can ride with the illusion of being miles and miles from civilization. Included are precise written directions, excellent route maps, safety tips, availability of food and facilities and vivid descriptions of points of interest. Each ride is given a level of difficulty, which includes mileage.