Northern California - Mt. Diablo - North or South Gate?

I'm thinking about doing a ride up Mt. Diablo for the first time. I'm in Berkeley, but will probably take BART to Walnut Creek BART station to start the ride. Should I travel south from there to take South Gate up to the summit and then travel down North Gate Road? Or should I take North Gate Road up and down?

How much time do you have?

A lot of time? Do both.

Up NGate - down SGate - reverse - summit

Doesn't really matter much. Climbing from the south side is a little easier since you start about 500' higher up - but if you're riding from WC you'd need to climb those 500' to get to the south side starting point. And climbing from the south you get a little break from climbing at Rock City - makes it more pleasant but lengthens the time and distance to the summit.

I'd say the main advantage of doing the south and then north loop is just so you get the variety and views from both roads, but it will take a little longer than just doing an out-and-back.

I'm thinking about doing a ride up Mt. Diablo for the first time. I'm in Berkeley, but will probably take BART to Walnut Creek BART station to start the ride. Should I travel south from there to take South Gate up to the summit and then travel down North Gate Road? Or should I take North Gate Road up and down?

Why not just ride from Berkeley? http://www.2008.calcycling.org/?q=node/198

I like what DiabloScott says...

"There is the Northside and then there is the Easy Side"

The "bump" at 1000 feet on the Northside is harder than anything on the whole south side.
First timer, not the strongest climber.. go South young man.

I like what DiabloScott says...

Almost always good advice. :thumb:

Also, Pleasant Hill is a much better BART station than WC to get to the North side - easy trail ride to Bancroft, then nice wide road out to the edge of town. Access to SGR sucks from any direction, but it's better when you're headed toward Danville (downhill and fast so fewer cars have to pass).

I suggest PH Bart-NGR-Summit-SGR-Danville Blvd.

I also enjoy heading out to the Morgan Territory climb first and then loop around to South Gate. Longer obviously but it's a nice loop and I enjoy the roads around there.

North side is definately more difficult. A few months ago I did North and South on back-to-back weekends. I did North first, and South gate was a breeze in comparison. There is more steeper sections on the North side and about 500 ft more elevation gain.

In fact, while talking about it, I feel like doing Diablo this weekend. I'll probably climb South gate since that's what's benched marked. I may ride in from Livermore and add some mileage to the ride.

I do not consider myself a strong climber, so I'll probably take South Gate then. I was thinking of using this route (not mine): http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Walnut-Creek-BART-to-Mount-Diablo-Summit-and-back

I think I must be one of the few who don't find the North gate road a whole heck of a lot worse than South Gate. North Gate is just more of a steady climb IMO. If you can do one, you can do the other.

I do not consider myself a strong climber, so I'll probably take South Gate then. I was thinking of using this route (not mine): http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Walnut-Creek-BART-to-Mount-Diablo-Summit-and-back

Try using this route to Pleasant Hill Bart on your return leg.
I avoid Ygnacio Valley Rd, it sucks for bikes. Cars do freeway speeds on it and there is no bike lane:eek:

I would take Walnut Ave all way the until it becomes Bancroft and then use the Iron Horse Trail as a straight shot into Pleasant Hill Bart.

I am a local boy, these are my backyard roads.

Walnut/Bancroft is a false flat downhill with wide, wide bike lanes/shoulders and great surface.
You will be cruisin' for sure, plus it often has a tail wind here.

ROUTE: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/12113

Try using this route to Pleasant Hill Bart on your return leg.
I avoid Ygnacio Valley Rd, it sucks for bikes. Cars do freeway speeds on it and there is no bike lane:eek:

I would take Walnut Ave all way the until it becomes Bancroft and then use the Iron Horse Trail as a straight shot into Pleasant Hill Bart.

I am a local boy, these are my backyard roads.

Walnut/Bancroft is a false flat downhill with wide, wide bike lanes/shoulders and great surface.
You will be cruisin' for sure, plus it often has a tail wind here.

ROUTE: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/12113

Thanks a lot. I'll be using that for the return.