spingineer

I haven't noticed any rides planned for the end of this month, so I'll plan one. This will go over Patterson Pass, with a real scenic view overlooking the windmill farm near Altamont Pass. We will then return via Altamont Pass, then go over Flynn Road, before heading back to Pleasanton. I pieced together portions of routes I did before, but not sure about how rideable the route is.

https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...Patterson-Pass

I'd like some comments about this route. Any changes I should make? Otherwise, I plan to do this ride, 66 miles, starting from Pleasanton Bart Station, 9 am.

Thanks.

BenRidin

Clockwise would be a tougher ride. Plus, you'll be riding on Highland & Manning earlier with the possibility of less traffic.

BR

spingineer

I know, I just want to see if the route is rideable, and if there are any skittish areas due to traffic. So with this route, traffic-wise it shouldn't be a problem?

Are you in for this Ben? I mean Jim? Soooo confusing ...

rumbutter

I second the Altamont, Midway, Patterson Pass, Flynn direction too. Its much more satisfying.

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Beaker

Sorry I can't make that one Ron, I've got family coming into to town at the end of the week. It looks like an interesting route and I do need get to know more of the bay area this year.

BenRidin

Weather permitting, prolly am in! I might bring some non-BF'ers too.

BR

jonathanb715

Geez, Ron, you're early season form must be pretty good if you're tackling Patterson already! I'd love to join you, but I'm already committed to a 3 Bears ride with some TnT folks.

JB

dl33

Looks interesting, I think I've only been out there once before, but was a long time ago. I might join, if I don't go skiing.

About how much total climbing is there?

spingineer

Jonathan,
I'm just trying to keep up with Ramon and Marco. Besides, I've got Solvang Double coming up really quickly at end of March.

Donald,
According to bikely, it's roughly 3500 feet climbing, so it's not bad.

bikingshearer 

The only potentially dodgy traffic will be getting from the BART station to Foothill Road in Pleasanton and the last part of Tassajara Road to the BART station. Heading out from BART shouldn't be too bad because it'll still be relatively early morning. Coming back in will be worse because the shoppers will be out and you will have to navigate a major shopping area. The roads should be wide and with more than adequate shoulders - just be aware of right hooks and other such Stupid Car Tricks.

The rest looks to me to be anywhere from light to virtually non-existent, traffic-wise (unless Altamont has gotten worse in recent years).

Don't forget - west on Altamont = headwinds. Generally speaking, the later in the day, the worse the winds. On the other hand, east on Altamont = faaaaast, even without the headwinds.

As for you folks who want to do the loop clockwise (Flynn and Altamont first, Patterson Pass second) do you reallywant to deal with the Mother of All False Summits on the east side of Patterson?

Regardless of which way you guys do it, the is no way in God's green Earth that you can get me out for that ride this early in the season with that fast a group. But it should be very pretty out, if the weather cooperates. Have a great ride.

spingineer

Oh come on!!!! Who is going to care for all the road kill on the road?

silentben

Assuming I can get the day off I will be in for this ride.

taxi777

I'll try to do it!

spingineer

We can see if Pete can break the sound barrier going down Patterson Pass ... lol

taxi777

NOw I have to do it!

bikingshearer 

I guess the dead things are just going to have to stew in their own juices this time.

Hey, I just took a closer look at the route. You need to make a couple small changes to the route.

First and most important: do NOT ride on Vasco Road. There is a much safer, less trafficked way to go.

After you come down Flynn Road and have turned onto Greenville, go under the freeway and immediately left onto Altamont/Northfront, as your route says. Take the 2nd right onto Herman Ave. Then take the 3rd left onto Scenic Ave. Go straight across Vasco (there's a traffic light and a Starbucks on the other side of it). Take the 3rd right onto Broadmoor Street. Broadmoor ends at Dalton. Turn left and you are back on your mapped route. Trust me, this is better and pretty much zero change in overall distance.

Second: You do not have to cross the 580 freeway to get back to the BART station at the end of the ride. Instead of turning left at Hacienda and dealing with freeway on- and off-ramps, stay straight on Dublin Blvd. There will be a BART entrance a half mile or so ahead on the left.

x136 

Hmm, I'm almost kind of tempted, but it's probably too much for me at this point. I should try some climbing on my own first. I wish I could just jump right back in where I left off!

spingineer

Ya know, it might help if you take your bike off the trainer, and ride it on the "road".

x136 

I rode it on the road on Saturday. It's so flat around here, I rode 33 miles with a grand total of a few hundred feet of climbing.

Other than that ride, a few miles the weekend before, and maybe 15 miles in Boulder on New Years Eve, I haven't ridden at all since October.

mellum76

so are you going to update the bikely route, ron?

i might be tempted to meet you out there at 9am...

spingineer

I'll update it before Saturday ... busy with registering myself as TofC volunteer ... fun stuff!

silentben

I plan on riding to the start from the peninsula. If anyone else will be riding in from that direction then how about we meet at Niles Canyon Rd and Mission at 7:45am. It's 16 miles from here to the official ride start which should be an hour of riding, maybe a bit more.

rumbutter

I am pretty sure I am going to Join you guys on Saturday.

dl33

Sounds good, I'll meet you there (if I don't go to Tahoe).

spingineer

I'll be there too at Niles/Mission 7:45 am ...