I did the three bear ride in or near Orinda for the first time and I have to admit, I was sorta disappointed that it wasn't harder than I thought it would be. I went both clockwise and counterclockwise and either one wasn't too much of a challenge for me. I never felt like I was going to die or something like that. It was beautiful though. I could use it for a leisurely ride in my rotation.

All the while I was wondering: is this measily mole hill one of the bears???

I want to eventually do Mount Diablo, but I figure I could use more hill practice for that. What other hilly rides in the East Bay and/or near a BART station can I do in order to prepare for Mt. Diablo?

I don't think three bears is supposed to be ridden as a challenge. Good long hill with BART at beginning and end? -> get off at Castro Valley, ride Redwood over the top out of CV and down into Lafayette: Redwood to Pinehurst to Canyon to Moraga (trail).. or the reverse. It's not a killer, but nice and long hill work-out, pleasant environment past the SL Reservoir and Valle Vista, feel free to sprint it.

If it isn't hard enough, you could always go faster.

+1

Try doing it at the end of a pig farm ride, then climbing wildcat back to Berkeley.

We should climb Diablo together. A couple o' first timers.

Maybe not in the sense of "phew, wasn't sure if I was going to make it", but definitely a challenge as a TT. Many East Bay riders know their time on the bears, Grizzly Peak cyclists do a monthly time trial on the loop and several races make it a central feature including today's Berkeley Hills road race.

OP - IMO you should just go climb Diablo - with the exception of the last short stretch to the summit, most of Diablo is no steeper than mama or papa bear.

I'd be up for that. I rather do it with someone just in case something should happen. I think there's a meet up group in Contra Costa that does Mt. Diablo. Maybe we can join them so the blind doesn't lead the blind.

+1

Go up the Easy Side first.

Which one?

South Gate is easier.

JB

Sidenote: Was up on Diablo at Live Oak with family and friends for Mother's Day yesterday and came home with a freakin TICK - ewwwww. Found him before he started burrowing though. We all washed our clothes and did self inspections.

Yup, it's the flick and tea season. I took the mutt for a hike at Brushy Peak yesterday and she came home with 6 of them. They're easy to spot on her, though, since she has pure white fur. None had bitten her, so I guess the Frontline is working?

JB

Well it was pretty tough on Sunday trying to beat 60 other riders while doing 3 laps.

I don't think the 3 bears are that terrible, and if you felt solid on them, Diablo will be no problem as long as you pace yourself and have some enough base for an hour plus of climbing. If you want a killer Nor Cal climb: Mix Canyon in Vacaville.

The Bears are a lot tougher in summer. Those hills back there make it like a reflector oven when it's warm. Also, going counterclockwise, the two main climbs are dead straight, which makes it seem like they are longer than they really are.

Diablo is all about not letting it psych you out. Set a pace you can maintain, and don't worry about how fast or slow you are going. You can do it.

What gearing should I use? I was wondering if I should switch out my Rival rear derailleur to Apex and put a 32 teeth cassette granny on there to save my knees.

Hell no.

well, i went up north gate to the junction the other day with 35 gearinches, had to stand a couple of times.

60 years old, w/ bypass surgery a few years ago. and 4 different kinds of blood pressure meds everyday.

i think i was passed a few times. stopped once for five minutes to drink a liter of water.

it was hard....

huey

Well if you want something tougher you can finish off the ride with El Toyonal to the top of Lomas Cantadas, that's right near the bears.

Use whatever gears you found comfortable for the bears? It's too personal a question for a one size fits all reply.

In the 70s I rode Diablo in 42-26
in the 80s 42-28
in the 90s 39-28
2000s 34-27
Now I save my 30-28 for the wall.

VMMY

Tough climb on a hot day as the 14-16% section is wide open exposure to the sun.

I'm still bumbling my way around the East Bay trying to find good rides to build some fitness on, and I've heard the "3 Bears" route mentioned a couple times. Can anyone point me to a map, cue sheet, or Garmin connect data for this route?

Thanks,
-Bert

Bear Creek Road between Wildcat Canyon and Alhambra Valley Road.
Pig Farm is on AVR to the east.
From Martinez I'd suggest Alhambra (up Pig Farm) to Bear Creek, climb up Wildcat Canyon to Tilden Park, then back down and either do the Bears again or go out San Pablo Dam Road to get back to Alhambra and Pig Farm again.