Northern California - good ride between Sac and San Jose?

A live in Sacramento and a good friend of mine lives in SJ - we were hoping to get together soon for a ride somewhere somewhat half-way between us... do you guys have suggestions? A good loop, 40-60 miles, decent climb (not boring, but not killer)?

I hope everyone enjoys the rest of the weekend!
-Nico

How about starting in Tracy? There are 3 scenic hills between Tracy and Livermore: Altamont Pass, Patterson Pass, and Corral Hollow. Do one hill heading from Tracy to Livermore and a different one on the way back. This area is scenic and doesn't get much traffic. Summers are hot and dry and windy. Late winter through spring is the best time to visit when the weather is cool and the wildflowers are blooming.

When I first saw the title of the thread, I thought someone was planning to ride from Sacramento to San Jose! :eek:

Mt. Diablo is about halfway between the two of you. Lots of routes in the area that include that climb. May count as killer more than decent, though. ;)

When I first saw the title of the thread, I thought someone was planning to ride from Sacramento to San Jose! :eek:

I thought the same.

Anyway, for the OP, how about the Berkeley Hills?

How about starting in Tracy? There are 3 scenic hills between Tracy and Livermore: Altamont Pass, Patterson Pass, and Corral Hollow. Do one hill heading from Tracy to Livermore and a different one on the way back. This area is scenic and doesn't get much traffic. Summers are hot and dry and windy. Late winter through spring is the best time to visit when the weather is cool and the wildflowers are blooming.

Cool, thanks for the suggestion... do you know the names of the hills or the routes? Something I can search on bikely?

Thanks!

When I first saw the title of the thread, I thought someone was planning to ride from Sacramento to San Jose! :eek:

Mt. Diablo is about halfway between the two of you. Lots of routes in the area that include that climb. May count as killer more than decent, though. ;)

I also thought of Mt. Diablo, but don't know too much about it (or if it's too killer). Out of curiosity, how does it compare to Old La Honda?

Thanks,
-Nico

Cool, thanks for the suggestion... do you know the names of the hills or the routes? Something I can search on bikely?

Thanks!

The names of the hills and roads are in my post. There are not many roads out there, so creating loops is pretty easy by looking at a road map.

I also thought of Mt. Diablo, but don't know too much about it (or if it's too killer). Out of curiosity, how does it compare to Old La Honda?According to the all-knowing internet, OLH is about 7-7.5% average grade. I can't find any numbers, but I seem to recall reading that going up North Gate is a pretty steady 6-7%. I'm not sure if the portion from the ranger station to the summit is steeper, or if one's energy is just gone by then, but the last several hundred feet (ever-so-affectionately known as The Wall) are certainly steeper, at something like 17%.

Of course, OLH is about 3 miles, and Diablo is about a dozen to the top.

The names of the hills and roads are in my post. There are not many roads out there, so creating loops is pretty easy by looking at a road map.

So sorry I missed that, I will definitely look them up!

A good loop, 40-60 miles, decent climb (not boring, but not killer)?


I thought the same.

Anyway, for the OP, how about the Berkeley Hills?

May I be so bold as to suggest the East Bay Hills Ride 2?

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=483932

50+miles around the Oakland/Berkeley Hills - great scenery with panoramic views of the bay, some really nice climbs and some good countryside out through the bears. I can provide more background if you're interested.

If that weekend doesn't work there's loads of options/combinations for climbs round there, depending on what you're up for.

Out of curiosity, how bad/difficult is the descent from Mt. Diablo? We are leaning toward trying this out, and we are both fine with the challenge of a climb, but fret more with a descent we can't handle or maneuver (we both are too green to handle the speed and would be heating up the brakes).

Cheers!
-Nico

Mt. Diablo is not very steep, except for the driveway at the top. If you know how to use the drops on your bike, you should be fine on the descent. If you start to get tired, just stop to take a break.

+1 the very top is an "interesting" descent, but the rest is not too bad. Assuming you're good with the usual caveats - take speed off on the straights before the turns - but you don't need to ride your brakes IMHO.

PS - Diablo is a great choice

Awesome, thanks everyone for your advice so far... it looks like we're going to do Diablo!

We are thinking of a loop that is a hybrid of http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/walnut-creek/1185529077 and http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/walnut-creek/273061846

Is it true you can just park at Arbolado Park with no problem? Are there plenty of water stops on the way up? For the return to Walnut Creek via South Gate, is one route better than the other, safer, easier? Also, how cold is the summit? We are thinking of starting our ride at 8am, hopefully finish the trip and back at the cars by 1pm.

Cheers!
-Nico

From my limited knowledge of Diablo you can get water at the start - at the North and South Gates, half way up -just below the Ranger station at the Junction (on the North Gate Road approach) and of course at the Summit. All spaced about 2000ft apart.

You know that the North Gate is a bit tougher climb to the Ranger Station than the South Gate?

I've never had an issue parking at Arbolado Park. Gets a bit full once in a while, but it's usually no problem. There's a water fountain in the park if you've forgotten to fill your water beforehand. After that, though, there's nothing until the ranger station (the faucet is around back), and then the summit. Not sure about water stops on South Gate.

As for the temperature, it's actually supposed to get up to the mid-70s this weekend, but I'm sure it'll be a lot cooler in the morning, so be prepared. :)