Northern California - Need Route Help: Walnut Creek to Scotts Valley

UPDATE 12/27/08

Alas, twas not to be. I have been felled by a charging rhino, virus that is. The common cold has derailed a not so common ride... for now. I will do this for sure, probably this summer so I do not have to head out in the dark to reach Scotts Valley at a reasonable hour. Thanks for the tips and input.

I am considering doing this on Saturday. I have a dinner with relatives in Scotts Valley and could get a lift home to Concord from there. I would like to ride down.

Is this a decent route? Bikely Link (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Walnut-Creek-to-Scotts-Valley)

I am familiar with it as far south as Mission Blvd. in Fremont.
I plan to go out 84/Niles early enough in the AM that traffic will be light.

South of Mission in Fremont I just drew up what looked logical.

I would welcome any suggestions of better ways to go.

Thanks!

From Fremont, I would take the bike path over the Dumbarton Bridge and cut through Palo Alto. Go up Page Mill Road and head south on Skyline. From Skyline, you can take Hwy 9 towards the ocean, or something like Bear Creek for less traffic (though more miles).

From Fremont, I would take the bike path over the Dumbarton Bridge and cut through Palo Alto. Go up Page Mill Road and head south on Skyline. From Skyline, you can take Hwy 9 towards the ocean, or something like Bear Creek for less traffic (though more miles).

Page Mill and Skyline do look a lot more scenic.
Thanks for the tip.

Page Mill is a b!tch - hope you like climbing!! :)

Check the forecast fro Saturday - you're likely to get wet.

Page Mill is a b!tch - hope you like climbing!! :)

Were does it rank on this scale based on two climbs I know?

South Gate Rd. up Diablo (easy) ...................Sierra Rd (brutal)

I would rate Page Mill as difficult, but not brutal.

Damn, that'd be quite a haul to dinner in a car. But hey, why not?


I would rate Page Mill as difficult, but not brutal.I think it depends on how long you've been on the bike by the time you get there. :P

Here's the profile - Page Mill is the first long climb on the Garmin trace, between miles 2 and 9:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t267/jd6572/2008%20rides/Page%20Mill%20BF%20ride/garmintrace.jpg

Page Mill is a b!tch - hope you like climbing!! :)


I don't think Page Mill Road is significantly harder than Hwy 9. There are a couple of steep sections, but the rest is pretty mild. If you are riding over the Santa Cruz Mountains you have to expect some elevation change.