Northern California - Carquinez Scenic Drive

Hi,

Has anyone biked through Carquinez Scenic Drive? http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Martinez,+CA&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=42.089199,72.070313&ie=UTF8&ll=38.021996,-122.155738&spn=0.020521,0.035191&z=15

I biked through it the other day cause I didn't feel like climbing up McEwen and came across a stretched that was closed to the public due to hazardous conditions. One of the signs was even riddled with shotgun pellets. The road had cracks the size of grand canyon and part of it was even totally washed out. Is there any other way to bypass this road other than McEwen?

Thanks

Great ride!
To avoid McEwen go past Port Costa to Crocket then take Cummings Skyway back to Franklin Canyon for a nice loop.

Hi,

Has anyone biked through Carquinez Scenic Drive?
We ride that road quite frequently and find it to be rather pleasant. No motor vehicle traffic, great scenery, enough hills and turns to keep it interesting but without anything too strenuous. None of it is really closed to the public, although it is marked as potentially hazardous since it's not maintained to normal road standards. But the barricades to keep out motor vehicles are intentionally made with a gap so cyclists can go through.

You can certainly avoid it altogether by taking Cummings Skyway and Franklin Canyon, but that makes for a very different kind of cycling experience.

+1 prathmann.

It's a really nice ride, although I suppose it might be startling if that's not what you expected.

It's a wonderful ride, it just has a few spots where the road is gone! But the views are great and you won't see cars between the closed gates.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3373/3436102162_81272a8d57.jpg

CCCorlew's photo captures the "washed out" part pretty well, although it makes it look longer than it really is. If it is wet and muddy, I wouldn't be too enthusiastic about going through it, but as long as it is dry, I think the Scenic Drive is a great place to ride for all the described reasons. When dry, the "washed out" part is simply not a big deal on any road bike.

To be clear, a way to avoid McEwen (which I avoid religiously :p) is to go up Crockett Blvd from downtown Crocket to Cummings Skyway. You can also continue on what was Scenic Drive onto San Pablo Ave to Cummings Skyway and go up that way, too.

One of my favorite ride to be sure. The "washed out" single track is no big deal and very short as others have said. Do not miss lunch at the Verona Deli in Crockett. I repeat... Do not miss lunch at the Verona Deli in Crockett.

Avoid McEwen Rd? What for? Try going down instead of up, and have a good set of brakes. What a thrill. As for Valona Deli, poser central with 9 dollar sandwiches. Try the Mexican joint down the street.

As for Valona Deli, poser central with 9 dollar sandwiches. Try the Mexican joint down the street.

I resemble that remark:roflmao2:

My apologies if I offended anyone.
That area has been a popular cycling venue for as long as I can remember. There used to be organized race starting in Crockett going out to McKewen Rd. up to Cumming Skyway and back down to Crockett via Crockett Blvd. They made several laps like that I think. Must have been a gut buster.

Back in 1964 my dad took us kids for bike rides from El Sobrante to Port Costa where we'd have a picnic in a small park there. I was 9 years old at the time and for me it was quite an adventure. If you have kids take them out there for a ride. It's something they'll never forget.

My apologies if I offended anyone.

Hey no apology needed at all. I am pretty darn hard to offend.

I accept your olive branch. Let us all hope that this can end the great deli or mexican food schism of 2009

Thanks for the positive feedback then. I'll just keep on biking on the washed out road. I was just worried I was going to get chased down by government agents or East Bay regional park on their new choppers.