Northern California - Another TofCa route question. Stage 3. Calaveras and Hwy 84 intersection

On Stage 3 our plan is to ride from SJC to Patterson Pass early in the day. Looking at the race website, when they go from Calaveras Rd. to Hwy 84 (Vallecitos Rd.) the log says something about "wrong way" which implies to me that they shut down that intersection when the pros come through. The question is, can we get through there? It will be open then, of course but I've google earthed the hell out of it and it looks like we will have to ride on 680 for a half mile or so :eek: Can you do that? Will you get squashed? Arrested??

I'd say just try and ride it. If they kick you off tough. The cops maybe cooler that day, maybe not. I rode Niles canyon Calaveras yesterday. I have never ridden 84 to Livermore partly because the road traffic is not that good. Also another thing it maybe better on race day. I guess if the cops will not let you onto 680 then just go around. Pleasonton Sonol, Sonol, 1st., Stanley, Vineyard, Bernal, Vineyard, Isabel then you are back on course. Not a bad detour.

I reckon they are taking the road under the freeway then the wrong way up the 84 (this is where you normally exit the 84 if you want to go to Calaveras road/Niles canyon. I reckon trying to do this if the Police havent got it shut down would be suicidal.

Keep going down Calaveras to Sunol, turn Right up toward Pleasanton then its easy to get back on the route by going down Vineyard. Highway 84 isnt very bike friendly even since they widened it,

Perfecto! Just the info I needed.

This forum rocks, btw.

The exit ramp from Hwy 84 to Calaveras will be closed and we will be taking the race down the exit ramp and onto Hwy 84. Sorry, but this route will not be available to others and I cannot recommend you jumping on I-680. You will be ticketed...sorry. Suggest you use the detour suggested by Velocycling.

Eric Smith
Course Director
Medalist Sports

Bicycles are legal on that short section of 680. If you take notice, you'll see a sign at the 84 offramp from 680 that says "Bicycles Must Exit". You won't be ticketed and it's not too dangerous. The shoulder is very wide there. I do this often when taking the Pigeon Pass route from Sunol to Livermore. The new section of Highway 84 over Pigeon Pass has a wide shoulder, but beware of the rumble strip just to the right of the traffic lane.

-Glenn

Thanks guys...Although I'm in Oklahoma, I rode hwy 84 the other direction 2 years ago before the race and I remember it being very uncomfortable because of the traffic. The Sunol detour is clearly the way to go.

They've just recently completed was a major reconstruction project on Rt 84 between Sunol and Livermore. It's now 2 lanes in both directions with a very wide shoulder for almost the entire route. Less curves now too. It's a decent cycling route now.

-Glenn

Here's a bump from last year. We are doing the same ride again...north on Calaveras rd. and then into Livermore but this time we will go up the Mines Rd. until we get caught. Last year we got rained out before we got to highway 84 so let me ask the same question: Can we ride from Calaveras Rd. onto Hwy 84 and into Livermore on race day and is it safe? Or still better to take the Sunol detour?

We've done that short stretch on I-680 on a couple of rides, and that's the only way I know of to continue on Hwy 84 from Sunol to Livermore. But then again, if I were to view them on Patterson, I'd go through Pleasanton, then east on Stanley to get to Patterson Pass. I think I'd rather climb Sierra and see them race up that thing!

There will be CHP at the 680 ramps so you need to find an alternate to Livermore.