Northern California - What's the deal with Martinez?

I've only been through Martinez in passing, but it seems to me like there are a lot of weirdos there. Has anyone else noticed this?

I also noticed there are a lot of parks in the area. Is there anything worth riding around there? I never hear about anyone doing any amazing rides in Martinez.

Both the Martinez Scenic Drive Loop through Port Costa and Franklin Canyon are wonderful rides, or parts of rides.

By weirdo, do you mean the county supervisors, the community college district building employees, the judges at the county court house? I know what you mean! I've seen 'em too. I try to ride really fast through that area.

I only go there for jury duty... coming up next month.

No bike parking racks at the courthouse... just so you know.

Ruh roh. The 200K "permanent" brevet route I'm putting together, and plan to submit next week to RUSA, goes through beautiful downtown Martinez.

Am I making a Big Mistake? :eek:

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/East-Bay-200K-ver-99

I suppose I'll find out tomorrow ...

Martinez can't be all bad since it is the birthplace of the Martini and the home of John Muir.

Actually I thinks it has some of the most bike friendly city streets in central Contra Costa County.

Berrellessa which turns in Alhambra is a great way through town with excellent bike lanes.

Center Ave and Morello Ave both likewise have great bike lanes.

Maybe I just attract some strange people. I stop there because I always forget to carry the money to pay that pesky toll on the bridge, and I don't know where anything is, so maybe I just end up in the less desirable places by blind luck. Yesterday I went to the Safeway near the hospital and the guy in line right in front of me kept staring and had no shoes on. The time before that a guy and a girl hassled me in front of a gas station for spare change. Neither left a great impression of the city.

I lived in Martinez for a few years. It's actually a decent place aside from the refinery and a large population of tweakers. :eek:

Ruh roh. The 200K "permanent" brevet route I'm putting together, and plan to submit next week to RUSA, goes through beautiful downtown Martinez.

Am I making a Big Mistake? :eek:

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/East-Bay-200K-ver-99

I suppose I'll find out tomorrow ...

That looks like a really nice ride. And Martinez is a fine place.

I lived in Martinez for a few years. It's actually a decent place aside from the refinery and a large population of tweakers. :eek:


+1 on the tweakers in Martinez. I go to the county hospital on Alhambra Ave quite often (I sell medical devices) and encounter tweakers in the hosp parking lot, at Subway and at Safeway. Just walk away and don't make eye contact. I've never been hassled while at Starbucks in downtown Martinez though. Kinda funny since I only go there dressed in cycling apparel and I hang my bike off the bridge handrail while I buy food. My bike's never been stolen or even messed with. Believe me, there are lots of tweakers hanging about the Starbuks.

Am I making a Big Mistake? :eek:

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/East-Bay-200K-ver-99



It would be a mistake not to include Martinez in a East Bay 200k. However, looking at the route, there will be tons of stop lights along the way back to Dublin. Still looks fun thought! ;)

+1 on the tweakers in Martinez. I go to the county hospital on Alhambra Ave quite often (I sell medical devices) and encounter tweakers in the hosp parking lot, at Subway and at Safeway. Just walk away and don't make eye contact. I've never been hassled while at Starbucks in downtown Martinez though. Kinda funny since I only go there dressed in cycling apparel and I hang my bike off the bridge handrail while I buy food. My bike's never been stolen or even messed with. Believe me, there are lots of tweakers hanging about the Starbuks.

I thought it was bad in Martinez until I started commuting Davis-Sac and riding through West Sacramento. It's true though that they keep to themselves for the most part.

All I've seen of Martinez is the area near some of the refineries, but I wasn't going to say anything, since one could get the same impression of West Sacramento if they only saw certain parts of it. Since someone else has mentioned it, I'm off the hook.

West Capitol is niiice. :p

All I've seen of Martinez is the area near some of the refineries, but I wasn't going to say anything, since one could get the same impression of West Sacramento if they only saw certain parts of it. Since someone else has mentioned it, I'm off the hook.

West Capitol is niiice. :p

I walk to starbucks from my place in SF and there's 1 or 2 wierdos per block on average, so I don't think Martinez I'd even notice...probably like being on vacation although would problably look weird to them so I'd fit right in.:)

All I've seen of Martinez is the area near some of the refineries, but I wasn't going to say anything, since one could get the same impression of West Sacramento if they only saw certain parts of it. Since someone else has mentioned it, I'm off the hook.

West Capitol is niiice. :p

Good point. West Capital/Harbour/Jefferson is all I know.