I am thinking about doing the Lafayette Crit this Sunday, then riding Mt. Diablo. I have never gone on a ride in that area but found this route on bikely:

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Lafayette-Diablo

Is this a solid route? Any dangours areas? Can I continue over the top of Diablo? Is there a better ride I should look into?

Sorry for all the questions, just want to know what I'm getting into before I get there.

Thanks for the help,

Josh

Diablo Road's a little dicey for about a mile, other than that it's a good route.

No where to go from the Summit except back down. You could always go back down North Gate Road though; into Walnut Creek and back to Lafayette. Actually the other way (up NGR) is probably better in most ways.

That ride takes you up the South Gate, which is a delightful climb. Just for fun you might want to return via the North gate, though I generally like descending the South better.

There is no "over the top." There is a junction where the north and south roads meet to go to the summit. Then it's turn around and descend.

Sunday's weather is predicted at 92. Most -- almost all --of the climb is unprotected. I'd do it early, but depending on when your race ends it might not be a great idea unless you love ot and are in really great shape. Bring lots of water and sunscreen.

PAGING DIABLO SCOTT. Please weigh in.

I prefer to go downhill on South Gate, for the same reasons that DiabloScott mentioned.

I would make a couple small changes to your route to avoid high traffic areas and save you some climbing before reaching Diablo.

1) When on Olympics, turn right on Tice Valley Rd. and stay on it until Crest Av.. Turn right on Crest until it becomes Hillgrade Av. and joins Danville Blvd.

2) Stay on Danville Blvd. until El Cerro Blvd.. Turn left on El Cerro until it joins Diablo Rd.. Go straight on Diablo until Mt. Diablo Scenic Blvd., your access point to South Gate.

Sounds interesting. I was considering doing a ride after the crit, might ride up to Berkeley for some la Burrita goodness. :) It used to hit the spot after spending hours in Soda Hall dungeon.
Hey... anyone up for a ride after CAT4?

Is the South Gate construction completed? I haven't been up in a couple of weeks, but the last time the steel plates across the road definitely took some of the fun out of the South Gate descent. They didn't interfere with the climb, though (not at 5-6 mph).

Also, from their website: "Mt. Diablo State Park will be closed due to extreme fire conditions until further notice." Is that for real - even to cyclists?

JB

The steel plates were gone last Friday. There were still some paint marks at various locations so I am not sure they are all done with construction.

Thank you to all for the advice. Very helpful.

Josh

Hopefully the Mountain will be open by Sunday.



LINK (http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=517)
Mt. Diablo State Park will be closed due to extreme fire conditions until further notice.

The road closure hotline number is 925-837-2525 and hit 4# for the recording.

Also, from their website: "Mt. Diablo State Park will be closed due to extreme fire conditions until further notice." Is that for real - even to cyclists?

JB

Tried going up South Gate Road last night and found the gate closed just beyond the crappy section of road :(. I thought about just crawling under it and continuing on but decided otherwise. Don't think I could claim ignorance if caught up there! Friday looks like a maybe (http://www.contracostatimes.com/news/ci_9828977?nclick_check=1).

Sounds interesting. I was considering doing a ride after the crit, might ride up to Berkeley for some la Burrita goodness. :) It used to hit the spot after spending hours in Soda Hall dungeon.
Hey... anyone up for a ride after CAT4?

i'll be doing the 4s (and by that I mean I haven't raced in forever and will be dropped immediately :D)
and then probably riding back home to berkeley. I know a couple of other people doing it, I'm not sure if they're sticking around or heading out or if they will have driven in.

i'll be doing the 4s (and by that I mean I haven't raced in forever and will be dropped immediately :D)
and then probably riding back home to berkeley. I know a couple of other people doing it, I'm not sure if they're sticking around or heading out or if they will have driven in.

Kool. Want to meet up after the race and ride?

UD

Sounds interesting. I was considering doing a ride after the crit, might ride up to Berkeley for some la Burrita goodness. :) It used to hit the spot after spending hours in Soda Hall dungeon.
Hey... anyone up for a ride after CAT4?

I have ended many, many rides with a La Burrita shrimp burrito. They do a damn good job...best burrito IMHO.

I have ended many, many rides with a La Burrita shrimp burrito. They do a damn good job...best burrito IMHO.

When did they put shrimp burrito on the menu? Never seen it on the menu, I think I might be blind. Anyway I think the quality went down since I did my undergrad, not too long ago. I was there few month ago and my burritto seemed to be on a salty side.

When did they put shrimp burrito on the menu? Never seen it on the menu, I think I might be blind. Anyway I think the quality went down since I did my undergrad, not too long ago. I was there few month ago and my burritto seemed to be on a salty side.

doesn't taste quite as good when you're sober ;)

doesn't taste quite as good when you're sober ;)

or in my case not sleep deprived. :twitchy:

I called the Mt. Diablo road info number this morning and it is open again. So I'll finally make the climb that I have heard so much about. As a non-Bay area guy I managed to get Mt. Hamilton in early this summer, now Diablo. What is the next best climb after those two?

You should do Mt. Tam in Marin to complete the Big 3