Northern California - Anyone up for a ride this weekend, Diablo maybe?

We don't have any plans yet for the weekend and I'm just going to have to go for a ride (a shame, huh?). Anyone interested? Either Saturday or Sunday is fine.

I'm also game for a ride that includes Diablo (I've never been up it), preferably early in the ride rather than late. Anyone from the bay area interested in taking me up that?

Hmmmm tempting. Unfortunately my riding window is pretty narrow for Saturday morning. I do feel a strange compulsion to go ride up South Gate and time myself (:innocent:), but I'd probably only have time to drive out climb up and back and then head home, so I'd not be much of a tour guide this weekend.

If you manage to sort out something, perhaps I can stop by Athenian at a pre-agreed time?

What's "Athenian"?

Either Saturday or Sunday is fine.

Sorry - that's the Athenian School, it's the most convenient meeting point before you get to the south gate, and is also the normal start point for timing rides up South Gate. The other meeting point we've used for a BF ride up Diablo has been the *bux in Danville - you get a few rollers to warm up before reaching Athenian school.

Unfortunately I can only really make Saturday AM - hopefully some bay area bretheren will be able to make this into a bigger ride for you (although Diablo is an awesome ride on its own).

Hey Rich, I might be able to join on the climb up South Gate. I will need to be back home around 12 -12:30.

hmm, i've still not made it out to diablo.. but i'm also not much of a morning person. what time were you thinking?

hmm, i've still not made it out to diablo.. but i'm also not much of a morning person. what time were you thinking?

Me or the others? For me, 9am is good. I've got a 2 hour drive to get out there. But I want to ride some other local roads. Maybe 75 or 80 miles, give or take a few. I don't want to drive out there and just climb the hill.

Me or the others? For me, 9am is good. I've got a 2 hour drive to get out there. But I want to ride some other local roads. Maybe 75 or 80 miles, give or take a few. I don't want to drive out there and just climb the hill.

I can make it out there by 9am on a Saturday, no problem. Would be up for the whole ride. 75-80 sounds fine. I can do more if you want to start earlier...

9am, that could be doable. i think it's about a 1 hour drive from los gatos which would cut into my beauty sleep a bit, but such a sacrifice for my first time up diablo might be worth it ;)

9am, that could be doable. i think it's about a 1 hour drive from los gatos which would cut into my beauty sleep a bit, but such a sacrifice for my first time up diablo might be worth it ;)

Am in Mountain View, could carpool.

Am in Mountain View, could carpool.

that would be perfect, assuming you'd be willing to drive.. my other option is borrow a friend's car, or put the top down and have the bike ride shotgun (which i've actually done before. don't laugh) hehe

If you guys can agree when you'll be at Athenian, I'll try to meet you there. 9am would be perfect. A little either way should be no problem either, depending on whether you start at Diablo or not.

I might be up for it, too, but I'll be doing a timed ride like Rich, but at a much slower pace.

Note that you can't park at the Athenian School. I usually park at Monte Vista High School on Stone Valley road and warm up by riding up to the Athenian School.

Hey, I'm going to need an address so that I can map it out to find my way there.

Also, can someone work up a route and post a link? I have no idea what's out there.

There's no problem parking at Athenian school. I do it all the time and did it last Saturday morning. I saw other riders do the same.
If the gate is closed you can park on Creekledge Court across the road from Diablo Road.

The school address is: 2100 Mount Diablo Scenic Blvd, Danville, CA

Hey, I'm going to need an address so that I can map it out to find my way there.

Also, can someone work up a route and post a link? I have no idea what's out there.

You could ride out along Camino Tassajara after climbing Diablo - there's some nice countryside out that way, and then loop back around San Ramon to Athenian (if that were the start point). That's probably get you 60+ miles given that Diablo is 11miles one way - this would be somewhat similar to Ron's Post Thanksgiving route last year IIRC. Having said that it would be a pretty flat ride afterwards, and there may be some more exciting/epic options if you were so inclined.

Hey, I'm going to need an address so that I can map it out to find my way there.

Also, can someone work up a route and post a link? I have no idea what's out there.

I also have never been out there. Trying to find relevant routes on bikely or garmin connect, but both sites are terrible to search.

I also have never been out there. Trying to find relevant routes on bikely or garmin connect, but both sites are terrible to search.

Yes they are. Hence I'm hoping a BF'er will be interested in leading the ride. Something not pancake flat for the non-Diablo part would be welcome, even if it's a bunch of rollers.

Yes they are. Hence I'm hoping a BF'er will be interested in leading the ride. Something not pancake flat for the non-Diablo part would be welcome, even if it's a bunch of rollers.

Hell -as long as you're making the trip, do Diablo and Morgan Territory combined. Two great climbs and two great descents in a ~60 mile loop.

Start at The Athenian School, go up the south side, down the north side, and then take Ygnacio out to Marsh and Morgan Territory. Come down that on the Livermore side, and take Highland back into Danville/Blackhawk and The Athenian School.

Here's your starting address: 2100 Mount Diablo Scenic Blvd Danville, CA

There's no problem parking at Athenian school. I do it all the time and did it last Saturday morning. I saw other riders do the same.
If the gate is closed you can park on Creekledge Court across the road from Diablo Road.

The school address is: 2100 Mount Diablo Scenic Blvd, Danville, CA

yup - it's only during the week or if they're having a big event that parking at the school is a problem.

As for routes, if you're just doing Mt. Diablo it's pretty straightforward. Turn right out of the school, go over a rolling section (bad pavement on the descent!) then climb. At the junction, turn right and keep climbing. At the top, turn around and go back down. You'll know you're at the top because there's nowhere else to go.

If it's hot, there's water at a bunch of places along the way up. Most folks will stop at the junction (there's a spigot behind the ranger station), but if it's not too hot it's reasonable to expect to do the climb on one bottle of water. I start from my house, about 8 miles away, so a 2nd bottle comes in handy on hot days.

JB

Hell -as long as you're making the trip, do Diablo and Morgan Territory combined. Two great climbs and two great descents in a ~60 mile loop.

Start at The Athenian School, go up the south side, down the north side, and then take Ygnacio out to Marsh and Morgan Territory. Come down that on the Livermore side, and take Highland back into Danville/Blackhawk and The Athenian School.

Here's your starting address: 2100 Mount Diablo Scenic Blvd Danville, CA

Because of your late start, I wouldn't recommend doing Morgan Territory. It gets pretty crowded on Ygnacio and even worse on Marsh Creek leading out to Morgan Territory. Then By the time you get over to Highland and Camino Tassajara, it can be crowded there too.

My suggestion would be to take Diablo in and add some Oakland/Berkeley hills.

My other suggestion would be to park at St. Timothy's Church. they don't mind, it's in the shade, and you get a bit of a warmup before you start climbing on Southgate.

Just my $.02,

BR

A couple of us are planning a little longer ride with Diablo in the middle of route. The ride starts at Fremont Bart at 8am. We can pick up riders at the Danville Starbucks around 10am. The route will be:

1- Fremont Bart
2- Niles Canyon
3- Palomares Canyon
4- Norris Canyon
5- up/down Diablo
6- San Ramon Valley south
7- Dublin Canyon
8- Palomares Canyon
9- Return to Bart, about ~88 miles and ~7800ft of climbing

You can add an out and back down Mission Blvd and climb Mills Creek for the extra 1500 ft of climbing and 12 miles for the century.

dl33, I'm afraid the timing is bad, and you'd be waiting for me a lot I expect.

Any other BF'er in that area want to show me around and up the hill?

Ruthie is going to drop me at Menlo Park. She has to be somewhere at 7 am or so. So I'll be riding solo.

I am going to ride across Dumbarton to Fremont Bart.

dl33, I'm afraid the timing is bad, and you'd be waiting for me a lot I expect.

Any other BF'er in that area want to show me around and up the hill?

I can most likely do this. How far total would you like to go? I am not the fastest climber but do fine on the flats and rollers.

A couple of us are planning a little longer ride with Diablo in the middle of route. The ride starts at Fremont Bart at 8am. We can pick up riders at the Danville Starbucks around 10am. The route will be:

1- Fremont Bart
2- Niles Canyon
3- Palomares Canyon
4- Norris Canyon
5- up/down Diablo
6- San Ramon Valley south
7- Dublin Canyon
8- Palomares Canyon
9- Return to Bart, about ~88 miles and ~7800ft of climbing

You can add an out and back down Mission Blvd and climb Mills Creek for the extra 1500 ft of climbing and 12 miles for the century.

That looks epic - I'd love to join, but can't afford the time this weekend Donald. Hope to ride with you again sometime soon.

Hey Joel, you'll be in good hands with Brent at the helm. I hope to still make the Diablo portion if you guys start there.

One alternate route to consider after South Gate could be to loop back to Lafayette, head up Pleasant Hill Road to Reliez Valley, then to Alhambra Valley/Bear Creek, climbing back up Happy Valley to bring you back round to Lafayette. I'm guessing that would be a 65miler or so with a start/finish at Athenian, and you'd get to climb pig farm, mama bear and happy valley for grins. :thumb:

I can most likely do this. How far total would you like to go? I am not the fastest climber but do fine on the flats and rollers.

60 - 80 miles would be great. Maybe include another hill or rollers on some of the other local roads. Lighter traffic would be good if possible. A few miles to warm up before hitting Diablo would be very welcome. And thanks!

That looks epic - I'd love to join, but can't afford the time this weekend Donald. Hope to ride with you again sometime soon.


yeah, maybe we'll see some of you guys on Diablo.

Hey Joel, you'll be in good hands with Brent at the helm. I hope to still make the Diablo portion if you guys start there.

One alternate route to consider after South Gate could be to loop back to Lafayette, head up Pleasant Hill Road to Reliez Valley, then to Alhambra Valley/Bear Creek, climbing back up Happy Valley to bring you back round to Lafayette. I'm guessing that would be a 65miler or so with a start/finish at Athenian, and you'd get to climb pig farm, mama bear and happy valley for grins. :thumb:

Ahh, memories. I grew up just off of Reliez Valley road. Used to ride out there, but mostly was hitting Briones with my mountain bike.

What's all this namby-pamby South Gate stuff? North Gate's the fun one! :P


Hell -as long as you're making the trip, do Diablo and Morgan Territory combined. Two great climbs and two great descents in a ~60 mile loop.I can't believe it took this long to string these two together. Definitely seconded. Great ride.

Well, the weather looks pretty good. Temps in the 80's. I assume there's water?

What's all this namby-pamby South Gate stuff? North Gate's the fun one! :P

I can't believe it took this long to string these two together. Definitely seconded. Great ride.

Yup - you'd be foolish not to. :D And between the two, if I could only choose one I'd choose Morgan Territory.

Ok, looks like I'm in ... twisted my arm enough. Will try to meet you guys out at Athenian school. I'll try to leave my god-like powers at home ... :lol:

At the very least, there's water at the junction (Ranger station where North and South roads meet to go up to the summit) and at the very top. I think there's at least one other tap on the way up South, but I haven't been up that way, so I don't know where for sure.

Two bottles has been enough to get to the junction on all but the very hottest of days, so you should be okay.

I meant for the rest of the route. Though I have no idea what that is. I am interested though... Especially in a lunch break!

What's all this namby-pamby South Gate stuff? North Gate's the fun one! :P


What and miss out on your chance to lay down an official qualifying time for this (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=546342)???

What and miss out on your chance to lay down an official qualifying time for this (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=545268)???

That's good motivation to settle in and have a good grind.

Well, the weather looks pretty good. Temps in the 80's. I assume there's water?

Depending on the route you take, there are lots of local options within a few miles for refills/food.

I'm def. in for Diablo - I'll head out to Athenian for say 9 - perhaps we can do a couple of miles on Blackhawk Rd first to warm up (although I don't find it a problem normally)?

I'll be there at 9 too. I'm really looking forward to climbing Diablo for the first time!

Depending on the route you take, there are lots of local options within a few miles for refills/food.

I'm def. in for Diablo - I'll head out to Athenian for say 9 - perhaps we can do a couple of miles on Blackhawk Rd first to warm up (although I don't find it a problem normally)?

I think that for ease of use we should just rally at Athenian for a prompt 9 AM roll out. I will have my phone for folks who are running late.

Route will be South Gate to summit and back and then Lafayette to Reliz to Alhambra to Bear Creek and up the rough Happy Valley climb (this is the climb that the TOC guys hated when they did it a couple years ago). and then relatively flat back to Athenian.

We can discuss lunch options as we ride (there are a plethora of them).

I think that for ease of use we should just rally at Athenian for a prompt 9 AM roll out. I will have my phone for folks who are running late.

Route will be South Gate to summit and back and then Lafayette to Reliz to Alhambra to Bear Creek and up the rough Happy Valley climb (this is the climb that the TOC guys hated when they did it a couple years ago). and then relatively flat back to Athenian.

We can discuss lunch options as we ride (there are a plethora of them).

Sounds good, thanks for taking this up and showing me around. I'll be there early. Planning to clear out of here with plenty of time to get there.

A couple of us are planning a little longer ride with Diablo in the middle of route. The ride starts at Fremont Bart at 8am. We can pick up riders at the Danville Starbucks around 10am. The route will be:

1- Fremont Bart
2- Niles Canyon
3- Palomares Canyon
4- Norris Canyon
5- up/down Diablo
6- San Ramon Valley south
7- Dublin Canyon
8- Palomares Canyon
9- Return to Bart, about ~88 miles and ~7800ft of climbing



Sounds good. How's parking at fremont bart?

Sounds good. How's parking at fremont bart?


There should be plenty of parking on Sat. and weekends are free. Meet on the west side entrance at 8am. See you there.

Schedule change, I need to be back home by 10:30. So I will start early and might see you guys on the way down.