Welp,

Let's get the ball rolling on this before the holiday sneaks up and everyone gets too busy. Click Here for original thread. (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=358551)

Ride Date: Saturday, 11.24.07
Time: 8:00am
Meet: Danville Clock tower Parking Lot (behind Danville Clock tower on Railroad Ave)
Ride Details:
"A" Ride: Up Southgate - Down Northgate over to Clayton
"B" Ride: Up Danville Blvd - Thru W.C. over to Clayton (Do we really need a "B" Ride?)

I'll be doing the "A" ride.

BR

I'm a maybe. It depends on whether or not my knee is up to it. I plan on riding MT from Antioch this weekend. It's a an out and back from my house, so if my knee is irritated, I can just turn around.:-) If that goes well, I'll be doing the A ride.

Veronica

For people who don't know the routes well, can you give estimated miles and ft. of climb?

If you do not go to the summit of Diablo, just to the Junction of North and South Gate Rds., the ride is 60 miles and 4800 feet of climbing. Going to the summit will add 9 miles (4.5 of them descending!) and 1500 feet of climbing.

Veronica

[QUOTE=BenRidin;5642742]Welp,

Let's get the ball rolling on this before the holiday sneaks up and everyone gets too busy. Click Here for original thread. (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=358551)

Since I originally inquired and opened my big mouth I guess I better do it! Actually looking forward to it and I'll feel much less guilty for the amount of turkey and Pie I intend to pound down.
Pete
If any sign of rain I'm going to half to bail out...The Mt Tam solo ride last weekend was the last foul weather ride for me.

We started from Heather Farm and road clockwise around Mt. Diablo. On the way back we were going to go to up the South side of Mt. Diablo, but I was still hurting from our 70 mile/4600ft ride we did a couple days previous. So we just did the Blvd. back to Iron horse trail back to Heather Farm. Was 55 miles/3000ft.

Here are some pics coming down the south side of Morgan Territory.

We started from Heather Farm and road clockwise around Mt. Diablo. On the way back we were going to go to up the South side of Mt. Diablo, but I was still hurting from our 70 mile/4600ft ride we did a couple days previous. So we just did the Blvd. back to Iron horse trail back to Heather Farm. Was 55 miles/3000ft.

Here are some pics coming down the south side of Morgan Territory.

Are you guys doing the ride next Sat?

For people who don't know the routes well, can you give estimated miles and ft. of climb?

Below is the trace from my Garmin unit when I did it a month ago. I started at Norris Canyon/San Ramon Valley Blvd, and did a loop. Garmon reported 66 miles and 5,336' in elevation gain. Note that I did not summit Diablo, just went as far as The Junction.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t267/jd6572/Morgan%20Territory/garmintrace.jpg

We will not be able to make it, out of town :(

Have a great time!!

This sounds like fun, I'm a definite maybe. I have to get my rear wheel fixed after the Tour de Tucson - someone on a recumbent ran into my bike after the finish and a spoke broke (it must have been ready to go - he didn't hit it very hard), so assuming I find the time to get the wheel fixed I'll be there.

JB

I may come, depending on weather. I sure want to come.
This will be a huge challenge for me, and I'm a might concerned about just surviving. But the call to relive my riding days of the mid 80s is getting too strong to resist.

I'm definitely motivated to do this ride. Hopefully, there will be no family obligations that get in the way.

I may come, depending on weather. I sure want to come.
This will be a huge challenge for me, and I'm a might concerned about just surviving. But the call to relive my riding days of the mid 80s is getting too strong to resist.
Hey ya gotta do it I'll be re-living the thrill too. I think the last time I did it was around 87. I always thought it was a meditative ride. I don't want to be the only elder statesman.
Pete

I'm definitely motivated to do this ride. Hopefully, there will be no family obligations that get in the way.
Hey, drop the kids at Henrys house In S.B. hit the doorbell and run:D

So far it's two riders: taxi777 (weather permitting) and myself.

And a few maybes: PrincessZippy, jonathanb715, cccorlew, and SesameCrunch.

I spoke to some other non BF's and they might join us too.

BR

We need directions to the start but are considering it...you guys need a tandem in your paceline, right? ;)

We need directions to the start but are considering it...you guys need a tandem in your paceline, right? ;)

Oooooh Ooooh Oooooh! I do, I do!

We need directions to the start... ;)

Directions to Danville ClockTower Parking Lot:

Make your way over to I680
Exit: Diablo Rd
Go West
Right Turn: Hartz Ave (aka Danvile Blvd)
1st Left: Linda Mesa Ave
1st Left: Railroad Ave
Parking lot is on the Right Hand Side

We need directions to the start but are considering it...you guys need a tandem in your paceline, right? ;)

PLEASE! PLEASE! PRETTY PLEASE WITH SUGAR ON IT!!!!! ;)

I'm looking more like I'll be there. My wife says she won't do it, but our riding friend OrbeaJ says she wants do, and we'd darn well better be doing the "A" ride. We may be joined by another friend as well.

So, Red Rider, you'd better come and tow me in the vortex of your tandem wind punch.

Just for clarification. How fast is the "A" ride going to be?

Edit: Nevermind. I just re-read the OP.

Alright, I'm a definite now, but I won't be fast. A tandem would be nice - at Tucson they were all going so fast I couldn't grab a wheel! I haven't been riding much the last month due to family obligations and a sinus infection, so I won't be fast but I should be able to do it. For anyone who wants to do this slowly with me, let's call it the A.5 ride!

JB

Alright, I'm a definite now, but I won't be fast. A tandem would be nice - at Tucson they were all going so fast I couldn't grab a wheel! I haven't been riding much the last month due to family obligations and a sinus infection, so I won't be fast but I should be able to do it. For anyone who wants to do this slowly with me, let's call it the A.5 ride!

JB

That's the kind of talk I like to hear! Maybe I won't be riding alone after all!

LOL - I was able to avg. over 17mph at Tucson, but that course is as flat as a pancake (2,500 feet of climbing over 109 miles). The last time I did this was with the bigbossman (and we only went to the junction on Diablo) - we were out there more than 6 hours if I remember correctly. But we did stop for lunch.

JB

LOL - I was able to avg. over 17mph at Tucson, but that course is as flat as a pancake (2,500 feet of climbing over 109 miles). The last time I did this was with the bigbossman (and we only went to the junction on Diablo) - we were out there more than 6 hours if I remember correctly. But we did stop for lunch.



Yeah - it was a tough ride for me. I'd go with you guys, but I'd be holding everyone up. Have fun!!

Yeah - it was a tough ride for me. I'd go with you guys, but I'd be holding everyone up. Have fun!!
Hey, come on the ride if we can get enough guys at the back of the pack It should cause an intense gravity field to cause a singularity that will drag everyone in front back into the pack, and not even light or sprinters will be able to escape! Think about it ..... It's all physics!

We'll see you there BigBossman;)
Pete

Hey, come on the ride if we can get enough guys at the back of the pack It should cause an intense gravity field to cause a singularity that will drag everyone in front back into the pack, and not even light or sprinters will be able to escape! Think about it ..... It's all physics!

We'll see you there BigBossman;)
Pete

Come on John, we do need you there. By the way, 3 (possibly 4) friends will also be joining us.

JB

Directions to Danville ClockTower Parking Lot:

Make your way over to I680
Exit: Diablo Rd
Go West
Right Turn: Hartz Ave (aka Danvile Blvd)
1st Left: Linda Mesa Ave
1st Left: Railroad Ave
Parking lot is on the Right Hand Side

Hmmm - if you take a left onto Railroad, won't the parking lot be on your left? On your right will be the old train museum and the fancy supermarket (and eventually Pegasus Cycles). I was thinking you meant the parking lot right behind the shops and stuff in the clocktower building on Hartz.

JB

Hmmm - if you take a left onto Railroad, won't the parking lot be on your left? On your right will be the old train museum and the fancy supermarket (and eventually Pegasus Cycles). I was thinking you meant the parking lot right behind the shops and stuff in the clocktower building on Hartz.

JB

Nope. Yep

Nope:
By turning right off of Diablo you are going North.
Then turning left onto Linda Mesa you are going West.
Then turning left onto Railroad you are going South.
The parking lot is on your right hand side. West Side

Yep:
"On your right will be the old train museum and the fancy supermarket (and eventually Pegasus Cycles). I was thinking you meant the parking lot right behind the shops and stuff..."

Yes, the parking lot, behind the shops in between the Old Train Museum and "Fancy Supermarket".

BR

Nope. Yep

Nope:
By turning right off of Diablo you are going North.
Then turning left onto Linda Mesa you are going West.
Then turning left onto Railroad you are going South.
The parking lot is on your right hand side. West Side

Yep:
"On your right will be the old train museum and the fancy supermarket (and eventually Pegasus Cycles). I was thinking you meant the parking lot right behind the shops and stuff..."

Yes, the parking lot, behind the shops in between the Old Train Museum and "Fancy Supermarket".

BR

That would be Lunardi's. Don't they have a Farmer's Market in that lot on weekends? If that's the lot then on Diablo Road, headed westbound from 680:


Left on Hartz Avenue
Right on Church Street (location of California Pedaler Bike Shop) which takes you directly to the Lunardi's parking lot entrance on Railroad Avenue.

You can use 345 Railroad Avenue to mapquest (http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?searchtype=address&country=US&addtohistory=&searchtab=home&formtype=address&popflag=0&latitude=&longitude=&name=&phone=&level=&cat=&address=345+Railroad+Ave&city=Danville&state=CA&zipcode=) it for a general location.

That would be Lunardi's. Don't they have a Farmer's Market in that lot on weekends?...

Yikes! They sure do.
Should we park across the street then on the Left Hand Side?

BR

Yikes! They sure do.
Should we park across the street then on the Left Hand Side?

BR

The Farmer's Market should only take up part of that lot. There should still be plenty of room left for the supermarket customers. If not, you can always park in the south lot of the supermarket where Pegasus Cycle Works is located (439 Railroad Avenue) :)

How about the streets? Are there meters like all over Walnut Creek or free street parking?

How about the streets? Are there meters like all over Walnut Creek or free street parking?

I don't recall any metered parking. There may be a few stretches of limited duration parking but there shouldn't be any meters. In general, parking shouldn't be a problem.

This ride sounds pretty fun... I think I'll be there. Btw, I'm the friend that cccorlew (http://www.bikeforums.net/member.php?u=75749) was talking about.

Sorry, I'm not joining you, I'm doing lsd rides right now and this definitely isn't one.

I most recently did this ride last January, and it's a great ride but a tough one. Tough climbs, great descents. (Morgan Territory is surprisingly steep for an extended distance.)

Have a great ride!

I don't recall any metered parking. There may be a few stretches of limited duration parking but there shouldn't be any meters. In general, parking shouldn't be a problem.


So we head west on Church to railroad and the big parking lot at the T intersect? I'm looking on Google/Satellite. Is that where the actual bikes are meeting in case we have to find alternate parking.
Maybe a contact Cell would be good too. I'm paranoid about wrong turns and being late coming from S.F. and all. Sorry to be difficult I'm over 50 and not very lucid....I drool too..:( don't want to panic and poop my pants:o
Pete

A PROPOSAL
It's really cold this week, and though Saturday looks to be slightly warmer, it will still be Freakin' cold at 8 AM.
My proposal: Move the leave time to 9 am. That'll give the day an hour to warm up and will make cloths transitions easier.

Sorry to throw this into the mix, but it seems like a good way to have people actually show up after they wake up Saturday and think "DARN, it's cold."

Bonus: Gives out of towners a bit of head room.

A PROPOSAL
It's really cold this week, and though Saturday looks to be slightly warmer, it will still be Freakin' cold at 8 AM.
My proposal: Move the leave time to 9 am. That'll give the day an hour to warm up and will make cloths transitions easier.


Nah, you'll be climbing and sweating, even if it's below freezing!

I'd prefer to start at 8:00.

JB

Yes, we will warm up on the climb, but the descent off Diablo will be freakin' cold. :)

The first DMD staff ride I did, I had to stop like 3 times on the descent to warm my hands up.

Of course, it sounds like the ride is getting big enough, that we could have an 8 AM start and a 9 AM start.

Veronica

Yes, we will warm up on the climb, but the descent off Diablo will be freakin' cold. :)

The first DMD staff ride I did, I had to stop like 3 times on the descent to warm my hands up.

Of course, it sounds like the ride is getting big enough, that we could have an 8 AM start and a 9 AM start.

Veronica

I rode up Diablo this morning - it was 37 degrees when I started. A base layer, normal jersey and shorts, knee and arm warmers, long-fingered gloves and a wind vest were enough for me, but I was really slow getting up the hill - it was in the 50's by the time I descended. The wind was kind of brisk and off of the Sierra Nevadas - when you were in the wind it was cold, but warm the rest of the time. If you get cold easily, extra layers would be a really good idea on Saturday!

Hopefully, traffic will be more reasonable on Saturday - nothing like coming around a blind corner and finding an SUV in your lane.

Either time would work for us, but I'd still prefer to leave by 8:00 so that we finish somewhere close to lunch.

Happy Thanksgiving!

JB

Take pictures ... I won't be there. I'll be doing a SoCal BF ride. Just can't be two places at one time.

Take pictures ... I won't be there. I'll be doing a SoCal BF ride. Just can't be two places at one time.

So you dump us and migrate south when it gets chilly? Are you heading down there in V formation?
Have a good time though.:)
Pete

So we head west on Church to railroad and the big parking lot at the T intersect? I'm looking on Google/Satellite. Is that where the actual bikes are meeting in case we have to find alternate parking.
Maybe a contact Cell would be good too. I'm paranoid about wrong turns and being late coming from S.F. and all. Sorry to be difficult I'm over 50 and not very lucid....I drool too..:( don't want to panic and poop my pants:o
Pete

Or, from Church, turn left on Railroad Ave then right into the lot south of Lunardi's (or, from Hartz, turn right on School Street and cross Railroad Avenue into the south lot), the one with Pegasus Cycle Works. Oh, and there's a Peet's Coffee next door to Pegasus in case anyone is interested.

Anyone have a map or route sheet for this ride? Saturday may be tight for me and I'd like to get a handle on times and routes as I've never done this ride before. Also, don't want to get lost as, most likely, I'll be bringin' up the rear :).

Either time would work for us, but I'd still prefer to leave by 8:00 so that we finish somewhere close to lunch.

Happy Thanksgiving!

JB
Since we've initially planned 8:am I'll just make sure I milk the chickens early.
Pete

Come on John, we do need you there. By the way, 3 (possibly 4) friends will also be joining us.

Let me think about it. I really don't want anyone waiting on me.

I rode up Diablo this morning - it was 37 degrees when I started. A base layer, normal jersey and shorts, knee and arm warmers, long-fingered gloves and a wind vest were enough for me, but I was really slow getting up the hill - it was in the 50's by the time I descended. The wind was kind of brisk and off of the Sierra Nevadas - when you were in the wind it was cold, but warm the rest of the time. If you get cold easily, extra layers would be a really good idea on Saturday!


I went up Diablo today too. Left the house around 10 and reached the top around noon. Any chance you passed up a guy on a blue trek wearing a red PI jersey?

so, is it 8:00 or 9:00?

I went up Diablo today too. Left the house around 10 and reached the top around noon. Any chance you passed up a guy on a blue trek wearing a red PI jersey?

I got passed by a guy on blue trek with a red PI jersey:) That was the only Trek I saw all day;)

I was supposed to meet a friend at 9 in San Ramon, but we missed connections, so I did it alone. I summitted around 11:30, I think. I was wearing a Napa Valley Century jersey (the one with an eagle on the back).

JB

Let me think about it. I really don't want anyone waiting on me.

You'll be fine. Really. I've been hardly riding the last month due to family stuff and a nasty sinus infection - it took me 1 hour 45 minutes to summit Mt. D today from the Athenian School. I felt ok - just not a lot of snap in the legs.

JB