Northern California - Gobble up Mt. Diablo Sat 11/29

Need to work off that turkey? Need to get in that extra climb before the month ends???? Well, you might as well throw in Mt. Diablo while you get the chance.

When: Saturday, 11/29/2008, 9 am
Where: Pleasanton Bart Station
Route: Mt. Diablo, from the South Gate

I figure we'd do something like this ... http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/7039383

So who's in? Here is what I have as suspects:

spingineer
taxi777
uspspro (and ruth?)
SesameCrunch
rusty993
cccorlew
MyLilPony ?
overthere (maybe ... partial route)
alainp
mellum76
LanceOldstrong
dl33 (partial route)

Did I miss anyone?

I got my turkey neck in! gobble gobble

Not able to view the motionbased map in great detail. I keep losing the route when trying to zoom in. Anyway, how about something like this (http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/CA/Pleasanton/625515874929)? If willing to deal with some MUP's (Iron Horse Trail) in Dublin and Walnut Creek, it avoids some traffic heavy locations.

Not able to view the motionbased map in great detail. I keep losing the route when trying to zoom in. Anyway, how about something like this (http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/CA/Pleasanton/625515874929)? If willing to deal with some MUP's (Iron Horse Trail) in Dublin and Walnut Creek, it avoids some traffic heavy locations.

Bossman, producer(not on set)
Ron Organizer
Alain ride leader
taxi777 generally annoying and impatient!:lol:

man, I wish I can ride with you guys. I got laid off and no health insurance. Can't take any chances right now.

Not able to view the motionbased map in great detail. I keep losing the route when trying to zoom in. Anyway, how about something like this (http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/CA/Pleasanton/625515874929)? If willing to deal with some MUP's (Iron Horse Trail) in Dublin and Walnut Creek, it avoids some traffic heavy locations.

I can't open your link. Try my link (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/BBM-Diablo)

man, I wish I can ride with you guys. I got laid off and no health insurance. Can't take any chances right now.
Sorry to hear that man!
"Healthy San Francisco" check into it, it actually saved my life.

man, I wish I can ride with you guys. I got laid off and no health insurance. Can't take any chances right now.

Sorry to hear, Jin. A lot of people are getting hit by this downturn. Hope you bounce back soon.



I can't open your link. Try my link (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/BBM-Diablo)

That's actually very close to what I thought it was. I forgot they just opened Windemere Parkway. I think I like that way better. Anyway, how about this (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/BF-11-29-08-Gobble-Gobble-Day-Ride)? It avoids a few miles of MUP (Iron Horse Trail) through San Ramon on the way back to BART.

Sorry to hear, Jin. A lot of people are getting hit by this downturn. Hope you bounce back soon.




That's actually very close to what I thought it was. I forgot they just opened Windemere Parkway. I think I like that way better. Anyway, how about this (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/BF-Gobble-Gobble-Day-Proposed-Route)? It avoids a few miles of MUP (Iron Horse Trail) through San Ramon on the way back to BART.

You're the local, so you know the area better. We'll just follow you. :)

You're the local, so you know the area better. We'll just follow you. :)

:lol: But I'll be in the back.

man, I wish I can ride with you guys. I got laid off and no health insurance. Can't take any chances right now.

Bummer. Sorry to hear. I hope it all works out for you. Did you look into COBRA? It's expensive but if you need insurance...

Bummer. Sorry to hear. I hope it all works out for you. Did you look into COBRA? It's expensive but if you need insurance...

yea, I did and holy crap it's expensive. I'm expecting to find another job by jan so I just need to be extra careful for 2 months. Can't even snowboard, weaksauce! my season pass is just sitting there next to my bike

hey ron,

add me to the list, it'll be my first time up diablo. i'll be at the back with alain. :D

That's actually very close to what I thought it was. I forgot they just opened Windemere Parkway. I think I like that way better. Anyway, how about this (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/BF-11-29-08-Gobble-Gobble-Day-Ride)? It avoids a few miles of MUP (Iron Horse Trail) through San Ramon on the way back to BART.


Yeah - I decided to use Windemere Parkway after we started up Dougherty and there was a lot of traffic to go along with narrow shoulders. We went up and over Windemere, and from there on it was a nice cruise through suburbia to the Starbucks.

The only reason the Iron Horse Trail is prominent at the tail end of the ride is because I had to split off for home in San Ramon, and so it was the simplest and most direct way to describe to Ron and Pete the way back to BART. As you know, the IHT goes straight back to the station.

Yeah - I decided to use Windemere Parkway after we started up Dougherty and there was a lot of traffic to go along with narrow shoulders. We went up and over Windemere, and from there on it was a nice cruise through suburbia to the Starbucks.

The only reason the Iron Horse Trail is prominent at the tail end of the ride is because I had to split off for home in San Ramon, and so it was the simplest and most direct way to describe to Ron and Pete the way back to BART. As you know, the IHT goes straight back to the station.

That makes sense. How is Dougherty Road between Dublin Blvd and Bollinger? I figure that would be the most direct route to the climb as that's the route I plan to take from my house to BART. Is there still a lot of construction?

I am in. Sounds great.
I'll probably will be with the sweepers in the back.
I am never the fastest climber and my left knee has been a little hinky lately.

Hi Alainp, that was the route I took when we went up Diablo a couple months ago. Going north on Dougherty from Bart was a little tight in sections but traffic was light in the morning. There was a nice wide bike lane, once near/on Bollinger and all the way to the Starbucks. Shoulder was good going south as all the construction was on the northbound side.

Probably don't have time to do the complete loop, but I might join and do an out and back. Comes out to ~44 miles.

I am in. Sounds great.
I'll probably will be with the sweepers in the back.
I am never the fastest climber and my left knee has been a little hinky lately.

Cool! I plan on pacing myself accordingly. Haven't done this distance since early summer.


Hi Alainp, that was the route I took when we went up Diablo a couple months ago. Going north on Dougherty from Bart was a little tight in sections but traffic was light in the morning. There was a nice wide bike lane, once near/on Bollinger and all the way to the Starbucks. Shoulder was good going south as all the construction was on the northbound side.

Probably don't have time to do the complete loop, but I might join and do an out and back. Comes out to ~44 miles.

Hey Don, yeah that stretch on Dougherty has a short sliver of a bike lane but not for a long distance. I just don't know how much the road work is taking place. I'll try to check that section out between now and then.

I wish I could but have plans on Saturday. This ride + drive time probably won't see me home until much later.

hey ron,

add me to the list, it'll be my first time up diablo. i'll be at the back with alain. :D

Great! Glad to see you can make it. Added you in OP.

Put me as a 'maybe' - I'm going to try, but there may be a family obligation.

Hey, I'm a snail too! Depending on time, I'll do an out and back or go the full route. I hope I can make it! I want to grow up to be a fast snail!

Put me as a 'maybe' - I'm going to try, but there may be a family obligation.

Hey, I'm a snail too! Depending on time, I'll do an out and back or go the full route. I hope I can make it! I want to grow up to be a fast snail!

Hey, it would be great to have you come along, even if not for the whole route. It's always great to see more BF'ers in person.

Well it's a 40 minute drive from my place, but I have been itching for a nice group ride with my fellow NorCalians once again. Looks like I'm in!! When do we anticipate being back to the start? I have to be at work around 4pm...

I am in for Saturday! It'll be my first time up Diablo :)

I'm probably going to have to bail on the ride. My wife is ill and has seen a relapse so I need to take care of the home front.

Have a good ride, guys.

I'm probably going to have to bail on the ride. My wife is ill and has seen a relapse so I need to take care of the home front.

Have a good ride, guys.

Aw, sorry to hear that. It would have been good to have you on the ride. Hope your wife gets better.

Hope your wife gets better.

I'm thinking I'll meet you all at the Starbucks and do the loop from there. I just don't want to drive to Pleasanton...

Do you have an ETA for that spot?

Hi Everybody,
I would love to join BUT I have no car in Nor Cal. And the transit system is a little weak on weekend mornings. So perhaps someone has space in their vehicle for me and my bike? I can meet you between San Mateo and Palo Alto at the appropriate time and share expenses. Please let me know, otherwise it's Old La Honda, Skyline, etc. (Could be worse.)

I am very new to the area but did the night ride with some gladiators once and would really love to do Diablo, which I have heard about but never been near. Crossing my fingers...

I'd love to try and make at least some of this ride and get one more climb up Diablo this year. I'm thinking of trying to pull something funky off and park at the Athenian school first thing and ride down from there to rendez-vous, either to Pleasanton BART or perhaps at the Starbucks (wherever that is). I'll have to bail after Diablo due to time constraints.

Is the route down to Pleasanton easy? cccorlew - are you interested in meeting up with me at the Athenian school and riding down to meet the gang?

Is the route down to Pleasanton easy? cccorlew - are you interested in meeting up with me at the Athenian school and riding down to meet the gang?

Hummmmm. Do you know how to get there from the school?
I'm thinking that's a fine idea. What time we we need to leave?

Only by looking at the bikely - I need to take a look at the distance, but I'd imagined that getting going by say, 8:15 might enable meeting at Pleasanton for 9ish. Perhaps we can get lost together? I'm pretty flexible, I just need to be heading back home just after 12 or so (whenever we get to the summit).

Also, Ron or Alain - can you confirm which route you guys will be following? I saw 2 different routes from Pleasanton BART up to the South Gate.

Richard

Only by looking at the bikely - I need to take a look at the distance, but I'd imagined that getting going by say, 8:15 might enable meeting at Pleasanton for 9ish. Perhaps we can get lost together? I'm pretty flexible, I just need to be heading back home just after 12 or so (whenever we get to the summit).

Also, Ron or Alain - can you confirm which route you guys will be following? I saw 2 different routes from Pleasanton BART up to the South Gate.

Richard

The only difference between the two routes is on the way back. I'm relying on the locals to lead the way ... :p The ride up is basically via South Gate up to the top.

Only by looking at the bikely - I need to take a look at the distance, but I'd imagined that getting going by say, 8:15 might enable meeting at Pleasanton for 9ish. Perhaps we can get lost together? I'm pretty flexible, I just need to be heading back home just after 12 or so (whenever we get to the summit).

Also, Ron or Alain - can you confirm which route you guys will be following? I saw 2 different routes from Pleasanton BART up to the South Gate.

Richard

Howz about catching them at Starbucks? That let's me sleep a few seconds longer and knocks off a few miles, which my fat 'ol body needs to do...

Could work for me -- where is the Starbucks, and what time would you propose at Athenian?

Hi Everybody,
I would love to join BUT I have no car in Nor Cal. And the transit system is a little weak on weekend mornings. So perhaps someone has space in their vehicle for me and my bike? I can meet you between San Mateo and Palo Alto at the appropriate time and share expenses. Please let me know, otherwise it's Old La Honda, Skyline, etc. (Could be worse.)

I am very new to the area but did the night ride with some gladiators once and would really love to do Diablo, which I have heard about but never been near. Crossing my fingers...

Chris,

If you can ride to our place in San Mateo (remember where the start of the night ride was).

Let's say be here by 8 AM or so (takes 35 mins to get there).

Let me know. (You can PM me if you want).

They said (in some early post) they would stop at starbucks in Blackhawk. There's a map link somewhere here.
If they leave BART at 9, we could leave teh school at maybe 8:30 and cath them at starbucks.

HEY! Is that what you're still planning???

The only difference between the two routes is on the way back. I'm relying on the locals to lead the way ... :p The ride up is basically via South Gate up to the top.

Isn't North Gate harder? Shouldn't we be doing that one :lol:

They said (in some early post) they would stop at starbucks in Blackhawk. There's a map link somewhere here.
If they leave BART at 9, we could leave teh school at maybe 8:30 and cath them at starbucks.

HEY! Is that what you're still planning???

8:30 at Athenian school sounds great. I'll catch you there (Black Spec'd Roubaix + white helmet)

Hey Curtis and Beaker: I'll meet you at Athenian school too at 8:30am, since I'm coming from Concord. Is lil' pony coming??

We won't make it -- I'm working. :(

Looking forward to the ride reports and pictures. Hope you all have a great ride!

Hey Curtis and Beaker: I'll meet you at Athenian school too at 8:30am, since I'm coming from Concord. Is lil' pony coming??

I fear MyLilPony is doing some teacher type thing. But I'll be there at 8:30.

Chris,

Let's say be here by 8 AM or so (takes 35 mins to get there).

Let me know. (You can PM me if you want).


Thanks - I greatly appreciate it. I will be there by 8, probably just take Alameda all the way from Redwood City - that's a good route, right?

Just got back from driving both routes from BART to the Blackhawk Starbucks. I think we'll be sticking with this route (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/BF-11-29-08-Gobble-Gobble-Day-Ride). Donald (dl33) took this way to Starbucks when britpower did her training run for the Diablo Challenge a couple months back. There's quite a bit of construction along Dougherty Road where they're adding a third lane and there's about a one mile stretch where we'll be sharing the right lane with cars but the road is in very good condition and hopefully traffic will be light from all the people staying home to recover from Black Friday!


Only by looking at the bikely - I need to take a look at the distance, but I'd imagined that getting going by say, 8:15 might enable meeting at Pleasanton for 9ish. Perhaps we can get lost together?

I live two minutes from that Blackhawk Starbucks and will be heading to the Pleasanton BART via that route. I'll essentially be doing an out and back to the station. I plan to leave my place around 8am and be at the BART station no later than 8:45. You're more than welcome to join me. Lemme know...


They said (in some early post) they would stop at starbucks in Blackhawk. There's a map link somewhere here.
If they leave BART at 9, we could leave teh school at maybe 8:30 and cath them at starbucks.

HEY! Is that what you're still planning???

If we leave BART by 9am, I'd assume we'd be at the Blackhawk Starbucks no later than 10am. FYI, It only takes 15-20 miinutes to get from the Athenian School to the Blackhawk Starbucks (http://www.shopblackhawkplaza.com/shops/starbucks.html). You can use the address of 4000 Blackhawk Plaza Circle 94506 if you want to map out that location.

On a side note, I've come down with some bug/fever and questioning being able to do the whole route. I may need to peel off toward the end but I'll see how it goes.

See everybody at the start!

Alain,
Your bikely doesn't have a cue sheet. Will you be bringing one?

I will just be doing up and down the South Gate - So don't worry if I fall behind. I can't get lost on this one!! :thumb:

Alain,
Your bikely doesn't have a cue sheet. Will you be bringing one?

Sorry, how do you create one? I've never used bikely before this :(

Hey. Based on above posts, I'll be at the school at 9:30!

I live two minutes from that Blackhawk Starbucks and will be heading to the Pleasanton BART via that route. I'll essentially be doing an out and back to the station. I plan to leave my place around 8am and be at the BART station no later than 8:45. You're more than welcome to join me. Lemme know...

Thanks Alain, I think I'll follow Curtis's example and meet up at 9:30. This'll give me time to help get the Beaklets up and eating breakfast which is always good.


On a side note, I've come down with some bug/fever and questioning being able to do the whole route. I may need to peel off toward the end but I'll see how it goes.

+1, I've been fighting something annoying these last few days, but I'm sure a nice ride up summit road will clear everyone's heads nicely. :thumb:

Isn't North Gate harder? Shouldn't we be doing that one :lol:

I thought it was the other way around? But then again, I've only done it from the south side.