I did the Canyon Classic century ride Saturday out of Patterson, CA. I had done it previously in 2005 as my 3rd century ever, and remembered it as a tough one. This time it seemed much easier, and the parts I remembered as suffer-fests weren't that bad at all.
For the most part, it goes through almost unused roads, and the scenery is very nice. The first climb starts almost immediately, and is a gentle +1/+2% grade for about 19 miles up Del Puerto Canyon. After that it pitches up in earnest, and the last couple of miles was an entertaining double digits ranging between 9 and (for a small bit )14%. Once you summited that, it is a quick 1-2 miles downhill and then a moderate 6 or so mile climb up the spine of a ridge on Mines Road.
After summiting the crest of the ridge and crossing over, Mines Road begins a 20+ mile descent into the Livermore Valley. Mines Road is usually a nice glide into Livermore, but this time it was somewhat spoiled by a steady headwind up the canyon. For the most part it is a -1/-2% descent, and is a nice cruise when the wind isn't blowing. The last several miles before hitting the Dell Valle split is a nice bit of downhill at -4/-5%.
Mines Road dumps you onto Tesla Road in the heart of the Livermore wine country. Lunch was at a winery along the way, at the 57 mile mark. After that, there is a moderate and fairly short climb up Corral Hollow, and the payoff is fantastic. The top of the Corral Hollow descent is a bit technical with some hairpins that tighten up as you get into them, but after that it is a 25-30mph coast for 10-15 miles on a more-or-less straight road that angles down all the way to the Central Valley town of Tracy. If you felt like spinning you could get close to 40mph if you wanted to.
There was one stretch along the RR tracks on the outskirts of Tracy where the pavement was dodgy, but other than that is was a great ride. Del Puerto Canyon is a very enjoyable road during the morning - quiet, cool, scenic, and with extremely low traffic.
All in all, this is a good ride - 109 miles, with about 5,000' of total climbing.
Some of my pics:
Beginning of Del Puerto:
Further up Del Puerto:
Middle Del Puerto:
Looking back up Mines Road:
A 4 point buck, hiding:
Another, looking back up Mines Road
Bottom of Mines Road - oak trees:
Looking down Corral Hollow:
Me, doing an easy 25mph on the backside of Corral Hollow:
