Northern California - Montebello Sundays

Ok, I'm going to start a tradition ... Montebello Sundays. Short jaunt up Montebello, then loop around to Redwood Gulch, back to Pierce, then back to Los Altos. Sometimes I won't be there due to family or on-call obligations, but I'd like to make this a regular occurrence.

Start at corner of Foothill Expy and Homestead (by Peet's Coffee (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=102078571169316359854.00045bb3a94108d28048f&ll=37.343823,-122.066259&spn=0.035551,0.073214&z=14)), and at 10 am.

Bikely Route (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Montebello-Sunday)

Ok, I'm going to start a tradition ... Montebello Sundays. Short jaunt up Montebello, then loop around Mt. Eden, Pierce, then back to Los Altos. Sometimes I won't be there due to family or on-call obligations, but I'd like to make this a regular occurrence.

Start at corner of Foothill Expy and Homestead (by Peet's Coffee), and start by 10 or 11 am. Haven't decided yet which time. I'm a big ass maybe!

Ok, I'm going to start a tradition ... Montebello Sundays. Short jaunt up Montebello, then loop around Mt. Eden, Pierce, then back to Los Altos. Sometimes I won't be there due to family or on-call obligations, but I'd like to make this a regular occurrence.Got a Bikely? Somewhere around the turn of the annum, I'm going to have a lot of catching up to do, so if this is still going, I might latch on. :)


I'm a big ass maybe!A misplaced comma would have made an embarrassing comment out of that!

I like the idea, especially as the start is close enough to ride to!

If I get a vote, I'd prefer to start earlier. I'm starting to get hassled about never being home on the weekends.

I like the idea, especially as the start is close enough to ride to!

If I get a vote, I'd prefer to start earlier. I'm starting to get hassled about never being home on the weekends.ha ha welcome to the club:(

I'm starting to get hassled about never being home on the weekends.

I'm slowly coming to the conclusion that family and cycling don't mix. Slowly.

Great idea, Ron. No commitments at this point, but I certainly would like to know there's always a ride happening nearby when I feel frisky.

Close enough for me to ride to as well! I would be a starter.

im going to come as long as i wake up on time. its close to my house. you guys will kick my but on the climb

Redwood Gulch, Bohlman On Orbit Gladiator add on. You know it was just a matter of time till I chime in.

Redwood Gulch, Bohlman On Orbit Gladiator add on. You know it was just a matter of time till I chime in.

x136, time to ban this heretic!!!

:D

Ramon, I'd be down for Bohlman On Orbit on the tandem if we can go across the dirt path rather than descend it. Like this: http://www.chainreaction.com/bohlmanblack.htm

Descending bohlman on the Tandem would be no fun.

Gladiator option (74mi, 10500 feet)

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/South-Bay-Gladiator-Ride

;)

errr .... this is meant to be a recovery ride. :p

Ok, I'm going to start a tradition ... Montebello Sundays. Short jaunt up Montebello, then loop around Mt. Eden, Pierce, then back to Los Altos. Sometimes I won't be there due to family or on-call obligations, but I'd like to make this a regular occurrence.

Start at corner of Foothill Expy and Homestead (by Peet's Coffee), and start by 10 or 11 am. Haven't decided yet which time.

So after descending Montebello, Stevens Canyon to Mt. Eden to Pierce to.. ?? North on DeAnza, West on Homestead back to Peet's?

So after descending Montebello, Stevens Canyon to Mt. Eden to Pierce to.. ?? North on DeAnza, West on Homestead back to Peet's?

Yeah, that was the question I had, too, left or right at Pierce @ Mt Eden? Maybe if we make the right we could go up to 9, hang a right and climb up to Redwood Gulch, back down and around to Stevens Canyon and back to Peets or wherever? It's pretty close to my place, too, so it's pretty tempting...

I am interested in doing these rides. While we're throwing out suggestions, how about this crazy loop with a whole bunch of dead end roads that might never otherwise get explored:

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Montebello-Dead-Ends

You wouldn't have to do every dead end on every ride of course :)

Also I made that bikely route based on squinting at google maps. I haven't ridden a lot of those roads and I have no idea if they're all open to the public.

I am interested in doing these rides. While we're throwing out suggestions, how about this crazy loop with a whole bunch of dead end roads that might never otherwise get explored:

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Montebello-Dead-Ends

You wouldn't have to do every dead end on every ride of course :)



That route looks fun. Especially the middle with the shortish climbs/descent/next climb. Someone better bring a map on the ride though.

So after descending Montebello, Stevens Canyon to Mt. Eden to Pierce to.. ?? North on DeAnza, West on Homestead back to Peet's?

I haven't thought of the second part of the ride. I'll have to work on that.

... While we're throwing out suggestions, how about this crazy loop with a whole bunch of dead end roads that might never otherwise get explored:

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Montebello-Dead-Ends

You wouldn't have to do every dead end on every ride of course :)....

I've ridden almost all the dead ends on your bikely (thankfully not all on the same day) and here're my opinions:
Montebello - hehe, I guess that's the point of this thread, ain't it?
End of Stevens Canyon - gradual climb to end of paved road; generally not much reason to go back there unless you're one of them mtb types... ;) It is however a peaceful ride and worth doing if you're in a mellow mood.
Sanborn County Park - I've never been back there, but I hear the park is nice
Left turn at the Winery/Pierce Rd - no can do... I started riding in there one time (because I've been to concerts there and it's a nice road) when the gates were open and some landowner type told me to beat it (in a nice way, sort of). So yeah, you'll just have to ride your bike to a concert or something...
Mt Eden Rd - never been on that one, didn't even know it was there.
Left off Pierce Rd & Saratoga CC: the one off Pierce is a real stinger and is good for added climbing if you're short on time. Not so good at the end of a long day, however. The one off Prospect that goes up to the CC is a nice climb that ends at Fremont Older Open Space. I would recommend that as one to ride as it's also pretty mellow out there.
Regnart Rd - also a stinger like the left off Pierce described above. It goes by the other side of Fremont Older.

I couldn't wait till Sunday so I rode up tonight. Windy and cold at the top. I saw a few mountain bikers make a right on to Peacock road in the lower section. Later on during my descent back I saw them again further up in the section before the wineries. They were decked in full lights as well. Looked like a search party.

I couldn't wait till Sunday so I rode up tonight. Windy and cold at the top. I saw a few mountain bikers make a right on to Peacock road in the lower section. Later on during my descent back I saw them again further up in the section before the wineries. They were decked in full lights as well. Looked like a search party.

Last night's hills weren't enough for you, eh?

So I've decided to change the route a little bit. Instead of going on Mt. Eden, I am taking Bostic's queue and going up Redwood Gulch, then back via Pierce, then meander back to Los Altos. But I am NOT, repeat, NOT going up Bohlman. That's just crazy talk, man!

Here's the bikely route:
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Montebello-Sunday

Hey t4mv, thanks for the input. I won't be able to make it this Sunday but maybe the following weekend.

So this Sunday, the ride will start at 10 am.

And next week, I'm going to be out of town, but will be in town again the following week. If someone wants to lead it when I'm not in town, feel free to lead on.

So I've decided to change the route a little bit. .....I am taking Bostic's queue and going up Redwood Gulch, ....... But I am NOT, repeat, NOT going up Bohlman. That's just crazy talk, man!

You've already begun the metamorphosis, see.

You might as well just do Bohlman. :lol:

Tell you what if we do Bohlman on the tandem, will you do it then? ;)

Actually, I don't think the tandem can do this Sunday, but another time. I will only do Bohlman on the tandem if we cross the trail and descend the other side. Descending Bohlman would not be fun.

I think, if I make it, I'll be solo for Sunday.

I'm very vey likely in for this Sunday.

:thumb:

I just updated bikely with the cue sheet. According to bikely, it's 4472 feet climbing in 30 miles.

Ron, I'm wussing out. That is a little too much for me for today. I'm still sore from a long run yesterday. Have fun!

Ron, I'm wussing out. That is a little too much for me for today. I'm still sore from a long run yesterday. Have fun!

Just do Montebello ... you know I'll be the slowest one up the hill.

I'm out.

Going to catch up on somethings and hang out with Ruth.

Will probably do a more local route later on.

Have fun!

It was a gorgeous day for a ride, and we had a nice, mellow turnout. Chris came back for more torture. Russell (Rusty993) also showed up. Jeff, who I rode with at the Sequoia Century, also showed up.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_pxY28OCdAfg/SSCc9tDzQ0I/AAAAAAAAAzA/-Yr5_EXPszo/s576/PB150048.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_pxY28OCdAfg/SSCc-lTBMyI/AAAAAAAAAzI/vO6dS6ClpL8/s576/PB150049.JPG

Chris hadn't been up Montebello before, so it was a first for him. He still wound up beating me on the hill. I was the last one up the hill.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_pxY28OCdAfg/SSCdBqOXLRI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/B6YPk8Fvm3s/s576/PB160051.JPG

At the top of the hill, we met Norman (t4mv), who had started earlier, counting on everyone passing him up. I think he and I would have competed for the last one up the hill.

That first climb took a lot out of us, and we all decided to skip Redwood Gulch, and instead, we went on Mt. Eden, then over to Pierce, then back to the start. Good ride, good weather, great company.

I was busy during the day so I went up most of the way this evening. After the middle section my helmet light went dim (forgot to charge it) so I decided to play it safe and head back down with the handlebar light still working. Still got in a little over 20 miles.

Here's the bikely route we actually went on. http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Montebello-Mt-Eden

*** BUMP ***
Reminder, this Sunday's ride is on.

Thanks for the company, Russ and Jeff. Nice quick recovery spin. I think Mt. Hamilton, then Mt. Diablo drained some life out of my legs today, but glad you didn't have to wait too long at the top of the hill.

Ron, you seemed to have recovered some by Mt Eden.

We'll have a slightly modified route this time ... going via St. Joseph and Cristo Rey, then heading over to Montebello. And maybe this time, actually do Redwood Gulch, but no promises yet ... :p

Thanks to Chris and John for coming out for this ride today. I liked the detour we did before hitting Foothill today ... I think I'll make that part of the regular route. There's something about roundabouts I always liked ... maybe it's because it's such a novelty, as we don't have many of them.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_pxY28OCdAfg/STxd1gqdEAI/AAAAAAAABF4/npC973uO3Hg/s640/PC060214.JPG

As we were heading over to Montebello, it was quite cold. I was fearing I was underdressed, but felt good as we started climbing. As soon as we got above the inversion layer, about 1500 feet level, we saw lots of sunshine. Nice and warm at the top ... pretty cool at the bottom.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_pxY28OCdAfg/STxcFmz4ZFI/AAAAAAAABE0/NzhLdVDms-M/s640/PC070216.JPG

Chris at the top
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_pxY28OCdAfg/STxcRozuhMI/AAAAAAAABE8/dXTZ6akFtmE/s640/PC070219.JPG

New rider, John, at the top
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_pxY28OCdAfg/STxcarJxUUI/AAAAAAAABFA/h1IOLkRbYqU/s640/PC070220.JPG

We finally made it over to Redwood Gulch.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_pxY28OCdAfg/STxcezbdMzI/AAAAAAAABFE/FLMGgdmg01A/s640/PC070223.JPG

Chris had not done Redwood Gulch before, so he was fearing what he was getting himself into. Hmmm .... how bad is it compared to Quimby? 16-20% in parts??? Later on, he admitted it wasn't as bad as Quimby, but still a good climb.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_pxY28OCdAfg/STxcpverxZI/AAAAAAAABFQ/8Z7_nGxOP4s/s640/PC070227.JPG

The descent on Hwy 9 from Redwood Gulch was fun ... we then climbed Pierce from Hwy 9 ... the descent down Pierce was fun too. As we were descending, it was fun seeing other riders climbing Pierce working their way up.

Ron,thanks for organizing the ride I had great time and it was nice meeting Chris and you.

Redwood Gulch --> Down 9 = fav.

Dang I just got new pedals and was thinking of coming down from Tahoe for this ride... looks like 47 degrees and 50% rain though right now, so that's no good... (for 12/14)...

BTW, I won't be there this Sunday. It's my on-call weekend.

I'm going to say no for myself as well... Looking at the weather, I would both have the risk of getting down to find rain (60% chance now), and also not being able to get back over Donner Pass to get home (snow forecast here). So much for trying to get one last ride in before snowboarding season!

I was looking forward to another ride this Sunday,but it looks like the weather will not cooperate,so I will hope for next Sunday.

I've got a horrible cold; don't think it will clear up in 2 days. :/

Whoa!! Jen went up to go play in the snow today and got this shot. Not something you see every day, or even every year.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3015/3113894219_9663cc906d.jpg

I'm not surprised ... Montebello at the gate is 2500 feet, and the snow level is way below that. Wonder if it will stay that way on Sunday?

Hmm. I bet you can ride that on a cross bike :D

Very cool! The clouds finally parted enough today to see snow covered Mt. Hamilton on my lunch break which made my day.