Tour de France, eat your spokes out. The Peninsula's Cañada Road is a road biker's Shangri-La: a 7.3-mile scenic stretch of well-groomed pavement from Woodside to the west side of San Mateo. The route is light on traffic and offers great scenery, including the Crystal Springs Reservoir. Start this ride at the northern end, where parking is abundant and rolling hills are a backdrop. Plan to ride on a Sunday—the northern end is closed to vehicles for Bicycle Sundays, so children, joggers, roller-bladers, and bikers have full access to the street. Toward the southern end of the ride, stop and re-fuel with some fine deli sandwiches at Roberts Market in Woodside. Viva Cañada!

Story by Kathleen Chang

To start at the northern end of Cañada Rd.: from I-280 take the Hwy 92 exit west toward Half Moon Bay and turn left onto Cañada Road. There is plenty of parking along the street. On Bicycle Sundays (9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) the 4-mile section from the Filoli Estate (1 mile north of Edgewood Rd.) to Hwy 92 is closed to vehicular traffic. Roberts Market is at the intersection of Woodside Rd. and Cañada Rd.

Mike's Bikes, the Bay Area's premier bike retailer, wants to help you find the answer to this summertime question: what's your bike personality?
This week's bike personality: The Roadie Newcomer.

You've seen road bikers pedaling across the Golden Gate Bridge and thought to yourself, "I'd like to try that." The Bay Area is, after all, one of the best places in the world for good road riding. An easy spin through the Headlands on a Saturday afternoon would be right up your alley. You're interested in taking on a new challenge and there's no better time than now. You just need a little information on the bike that's best for you.

Sound like you? You're "The Roadie Newcomer." The Mike's Bikes ride for you: the Specialized Sequoia. It gives new road riders comfort, efficiency, and reliability. Easy commutes and long rides are smoothly managed with an aluminum frame and lightweight wheels. The brake-lever extensions allow you to ride safely when you're sitting up with your hands on the top of the handlebar. Your body will thank you because the Sequoia is designed with an upright riding position and easy bump absorption. No getting bounced around on this ride. On the Sequoia, comfort and style pair up beautifully. Give it a spin at any of these Mike's Bikes stores.

Mike's Bikes has six stores in Northern California: Sacramento (916-446-BIKE), San Rafael (415-454-3747), Sausalito (415-332-3200), Berkeley (510-549-8350), San Francisco (415-241-BIKE), and Palo Alto (650-858-7700).