BF Other Ride - Saturday, 3/1
02-25-08, 01:17 PM
#1
crazy bike girl
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: CA Central Coast
Posts: 3,325
Bikes: '07 Orbea Onix, '07 Birdy Yellow, '06 Cannondale Bad Boy (stolen)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
BF Other Ride - Saturday, 3/1
When: Saturday, March 1, 9 AM
Where: Pleasant Hill BART Station
1365 Treat Blvd.
Walnut Creek, CA 94597
Meet at the south east corner, along Treat Blvd.
What: No-drop, social ride
Route: Martinez - 3 Bears
Mileage: 54
Climbing: 4200 ft
In:
msincredible (PM me if you want my cell phone # for coordinating purposes)
x136
cccorlew
Bostic
mtnwalker
OrbeaJ
Tentative:
gpelpel
cantdrv55
taxi777
Ride notes from gpelpel:
This ride includes most of the North Loop of the Grizzly Peak Century being held on May 4.
It may be started in Orinda (BART), Concord (BART), or Martinez (AmTrak). The ride is very scenic and rural for the most part except the smelly Rodeo part that goes through the refineries.
The Alhambra Valley is a long, steady, but not steep uphill that finishes with a steeper section at Pig Farm Hill. The descent that follows is short and fast, that's where I have established my fastest speed on a bike so far (49.5mph). The Bears are not steep, Mama is the steepest but only half a mile long, Baby is very short, Papa is a long and steady grind.
Then it's mostly rollers along San Pablo Reservoir followed by a short climb out of El Sobrante and flatter terrain and rollers through Pinole and Hercules. The pavement though Rodeo is famously awful but seemed to be worked on during last year Grizzly Peak ride. Thankfully it's not long. The ugliest and smelly part of the ride then leads through the refineries, not long either. Once past them the ride along the north bay is beautiful with a couple of hills and then there's the CLIMB, McEwen Road is not too long (1.5 mile) but steep. I read that it was one of Greg Lemond's favorite training climb in the Bay Area. The key is too find a comfortable pace and try to summit without stopping, the toughest part is at the beginning of the climb then the grade eases. The reward is the long descent that follows on Franklin Canyon Road.
It may be started in Orinda (BART), Concord (BART), or Martinez (AmTrak). The ride is very scenic and rural for the most part except the smelly Rodeo part that goes through the refineries.
The Alhambra Valley is a long, steady, but not steep uphill that finishes with a steeper section at Pig Farm Hill. The descent that follows is short and fast, that's where I have established my fastest speed on a bike so far (49.5mph). The Bears are not steep, Mama is the steepest but only half a mile long, Baby is very short, Papa is a long and steady grind.
Then it's mostly rollers along San Pablo Reservoir followed by a short climb out of El Sobrante and flatter terrain and rollers through Pinole and Hercules. The pavement though Rodeo is famously awful but seemed to be worked on during last year Grizzly Peak ride. Thankfully it's not long. The ugliest and smelly part of the ride then leads through the refineries, not long either. Once past them the ride along the north bay is beautiful with a couple of hills and then there's the CLIMB, McEwen Road is not too long (1.5 mile) but steep. I read that it was one of Greg Lemond's favorite training climb in the Bay Area. The key is too find a comfortable pace and try to summit without stopping, the toughest part is at the beginning of the climb then the grade eases. The reward is the long descent that follows on Franklin Canyon Road.
Last edited by msincredible; 02-28-08 at 06:07 PM.
02-25-08, 02:59 PM
#3
crazy bike girl
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: CA Central Coast
Posts: 3,325
Bikes: '07 Orbea Onix, '07 Birdy Yellow, '06 Cannondale Bad Boy (stolen)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
02-25-08, 05:17 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Posts: 1,952
Bikes: '84 Centurion Accordo RS, '06 Gary Fisher Marlin, '06 Schwinn Fastback 27, '06 Litespeed Teramo
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Here's a route https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...rgan-Territory
02-25-08, 08:50 PM
#5
phony collective progress
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: San Hoosey
Posts: 2,973
Bikes: https://velospace.org/user/36663
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
3 Posts
I could probably drive directly to the BART station, if that helps.Either Saturday or Sunday works for me, with a slight preference toward Sunday.
You're a funny, funny guy.
__________________
02-25-08, 10:19 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Posts: 1,952
Bikes: '84 Centurion Accordo RS, '06 Gary Fisher Marlin, '06 Schwinn Fastback 27, '06 Litespeed Teramo
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I barely know any routes around here, let alone in the Bay area. So I think what's convenient for you goes. I could probably drive directly to the BART station, if that helps.
Either Saturday or Sunday works for me, with a slight preference toward Sunday.
You're a funny, funny guy.
I could probably drive directly to the BART station, if that helps.Either Saturday or Sunday works for me, with a slight preference toward Sunday.
You're a funny, funny guy.
I'm serious. Hell, I'll go with you guys. I've been itching for a ride.
02-25-08, 10:25 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Posts: 1,952
Bikes: '84 Centurion Accordo RS, '06 Gary Fisher Marlin, '06 Schwinn Fastback 27, '06 Litespeed Teramo
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
02-26-08, 12:33 AM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Posts: 1,952
Bikes: '84 Centurion Accordo RS, '06 Gary Fisher Marlin, '06 Schwinn Fastback 27, '06 Litespeed Teramo
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Ok, X, here is a "flatter" and shorter that will take you from Pittsburgh to some very scenic areas in the Antioch area.
https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...rgh-to-Antioch
https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...rgh-to-Antioch
02-26-08, 11:24 AM
#10
crazy bike girl
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: CA Central Coast
Posts: 3,325
Bikes: '07 Orbea Onix, '07 Birdy Yellow, '06 Cannondale Bad Boy (stolen)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Ok, X, here is a "flatter" and shorter that will take you from Pittsburgh to some very scenic areas in the Antioch area.
https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...rgh-to-Antioch
https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...rgh-to-Antioch
02-26-08, 12:07 PM
#11
phony collective progress
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: San Hoosey
Posts: 2,973
Bikes: https://velospace.org/user/36663
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
3 Posts
Yeah, that one looks a bit more doable than Diablo to this Inhabitor of Flat Lands.
__________________
02-26-08, 12:57 PM
#12
Dolce far niente
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Northern CA
Posts: 10,704
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times
in
14 Posts
Here's another very scenic and enjoyable east bay ride, that can be easily modified to start at the Martinez Amtrak station:
https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...ckett-To-rodeo
https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...ckett-To-rodeo
__________________
"Love is not the dying moan of a distant violin, it’s the triumphant twang of a bedspring."
S. J. Perelman
"Love is not the dying moan of a distant violin, it’s the triumphant twang of a bedspring."
S. J. Perelman
02-26-08, 03:33 PM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Posts: 1,952
Bikes: '84 Centurion Accordo RS, '06 Gary Fisher Marlin, '06 Schwinn Fastback 27, '06 Litespeed Teramo
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by msincredible
That looks like a good option, thanks! Are you joining us? Do you have a preference for Saturday or Sunday?
Which one? Time and place?
02-26-08, 07:31 PM
#14
Erect member since 1953
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Antioch, CA (SF Bay Area)
Posts: 7,000
Bikes: Trek 520 Grando, Roubaix Expert, Motobecane Ti Century Elite turned commuter, Some old French thing gone fixie
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 121 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 38 Times
in
21 Posts
02-26-08, 08:15 PM
#15
phony collective progress
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: San Hoosey
Posts: 2,973
Bikes: https://velospace.org/user/36663
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
3 Posts
By the way, Bikely's KML download plus Google Earth's "Tour" function make for really neat video tours.
Whatever do you mean?
__________________
02-26-08, 09:06 PM
#16
Erect member since 1953
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Antioch, CA (SF Bay Area)
Posts: 7,000
Bikes: Trek 520 Grando, Roubaix Expert, Motobecane Ti Century Elite turned commuter, Some old French thing gone fixie
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 121 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 38 Times
in
21 Posts
Wait a sec... did a new thread happen retroactively? Is that possible?
Anyway, I need a ride on Saturday, and from Antioch i don't need a 2 hour drive to start.
So, I'm keeping an eye on this one.
I'd do some flavor of Diablo, or that route out past Port Costa (though teh traffic in some of those areas looks frightening) or maybe something else. The idea of going up Marsh Creek road with all the crazy drivers concerns me, but if you all will block for me.....
Anyway, I need a ride on Saturday, and from Antioch i don't need a 2 hour drive to start.
So, I'm keeping an eye on this one.
I'd do some flavor of Diablo, or that route out past Port Costa (though teh traffic in some of those areas looks frightening) or maybe something else. The idea of going up Marsh Creek road with all the crazy drivers concerns me, but if you all will block for me.....
02-26-08, 10:07 PM
#18
Wheres my snuggie?
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 3,068
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
The weather report was for lightning and gale force winds in the east bay through the weekend! They say the San Mateo coast is supposed to be some of the best weather this century! It's really amazing the micro climates in the bay area... I also heard that they'll be a half off cost for everything on route 1 for cyclists! I'm sure glad I picked Alan's ride
__________________
Blame It On The Dog Blog
Blame It On The Dog Blog
02-26-08, 10:09 PM
#19
Wheres my snuggie?
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 3,068
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Oh I heard wild mountian lions spotted in the Morgan Territories! 
__________________
Blame It On The Dog Blog
Blame It On The Dog Blog
02-26-08, 10:27 PM
#20
Eschew Obfuscation
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 3,845
Bikes: 2005 Fuji Professional, 2002 Lemond Zurich, Folders - Strida, Merc, Dahon, Downtube, Recumbent folder
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Why don't you guys do this ride on Saturday, then join us on Sunday along the Coast? 
02-26-08, 10:45 PM
#21
Wheres my snuggie?
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 3,068
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
__________________
Blame It On The Dog Blog
Blame It On The Dog Blog
02-27-08, 12:17 AM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Posts: 1,952
Bikes: '84 Centurion Accordo RS, '06 Gary Fisher Marlin, '06 Schwinn Fastback 27, '06 Litespeed Teramo
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Ohhh, I had an idea. I've been hearing a lot about 3 Bears in the Martinez area.
Then I saw Bigbossman's route and I figured, why not put the two together for a nice longish route with some respectable climbing.
So how about this route https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...-Crocket-Rodeo
either on Saturday or Sunday.
X, Ms I? Anyone?
Then I saw Bigbossman's route and I figured, why not put the two together for a nice longish route with some respectable climbing.
So how about this route https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...-Crocket-Rodeo
either on Saturday or Sunday.
X, Ms I? Anyone?
02-27-08, 01:58 AM
#23
crazy bike girl
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: CA Central Coast
Posts: 3,325
Bikes: '07 Orbea Onix, '07 Birdy Yellow, '06 Cannondale Bad Boy (stolen)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Ohhh, I had an idea. I've been hearing a lot about 3 Bears in the Martinez area.
Then I saw Bigbossman's route and I figured, why not put the two together for a nice longish route with some respectable climbing.
So how about this route https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...-Crocket-Rodeo
either on Saturday or Sunday.
X, Ms I? Anyone?
Then I saw Bigbossman's route and I figured, why not put the two together for a nice longish route with some respectable climbing.
So how about this route https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...-Crocket-Rodeo
either on Saturday or Sunday.
X, Ms I? Anyone?
Seems like right now there are more votes for Saturday.
When's a good time for people? 9? 10?
I'd prefer no later than 10 myself.
02-27-08, 02:31 AM
#25
crazy bike girl
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: CA Central Coast
Posts: 3,325
Bikes: '07 Orbea Onix, '07 Birdy Yellow, '06 Cannondale Bad Boy (stolen)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Go to the bikely page, then click on "Show" > "Elevation Profile".
Or I'll try to attach a screenshot.
Or I'll try to attach a screenshot.