Northern California - Tandem on Calaveras today?

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jonathanb715
02-23-08, 05:52 PM
I saw some very happy-looking riders on a tandem go flying by down Calaveras towards Milpitas this morning - somewhere around 10:30, I think. I was grinding my way up to the wall, so I wasn't having anywhere near as much fun. Was it any of our tandem-riders here? If so, you sure looked like you were having fun!

JB

Red Rider
02-23-08, 06:51 PM
I wish it were us! Sadly, no tandem riding for this stoker until next weekend...:(...captain is out of town.
damnpoor
02-23-08, 07:35 PM
While I don't ride a tandem, I would like to know which route you were riding. Have a bikely for it?

jonathanb715
02-23-08, 07:49 PM
While I don't ride a tandem, I would like to know which route you were riding. Have a bikely for it?

No, but it is similar to a BF ride Spingineer ran a while back - started at the corner of Niles Canyon and Mission, went south on Mission and worked our way through Fremont and Milpitas, up Calaveras and down the Sunol side, continue on Calaveras to Sunol, go north on Foothill to Pleasanton, left on Laurel Creek (not necessary, but adds in some additional climbing), left on Dublin Canyon, up and over the Dublin Grade, left on Paloverde, left on Palomares, up and over that climb (my first time going that way today - I think it's harder going south), right on Niles Canyon and continue on to Mission.

my computer had it at 59 miles, 4,100 feet of climbing. My legs concur:D

JB
jobob
02-23-08, 10:06 PM
left on Palomares, up and over that climb (my first time going that way today - I think it's harder going south)


I agree - when you head north on Palomares there are a couple of steepish points but then it levels off for a breather, while heading south it seems to be just one loooong climb. And in the summer you're more in the shade climbing northward, plus then you have that lovely fast straight descent heading towards Castro Valley. Whee!

Here's my version of the route JB described, but going in the opposite direction:
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Palomares-Calaveras-clockwise
jonathanb715
02-23-08, 10:14 PM
I agree - when you head north on Palomares there are a couple of steepish points but then it levels off for a breather, while heading south it seems to be just one loooong climb. And in the summer you're more in the shade climbing northward, plus then you have that lovely fast straight descent heading towards Castro Valley. Whee!

Here's my version of the route JB described, but going in the opposite direction:
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Palomares-Calaveras-clockwise

Yup, that's the route exactly (well, except for the coffee shop posing at the start and end). I love that descent on Palomares heading north - It's the only Bay Area road I've topped 50 on.

JB