Mt. Diablo Cyclists are Awesome!
 

Hey Northern CA people,

I haven't posted on Bikeforums in a while, but I wanted to swing by and say that the cyclists on Mt. Diablo are some of the nicest and most encouraging that I have ever had the pleasure of riding with/around/behind/whatever. Yesterday was my very first time tackling Mt. Diablo. I was the fat Asian guy wearing a black helmet, glasses, a red T-shirt, black shorts, and riding a tan color Surly Long Haul Trucker with a fat tan color saddle bag, if anybody here was riding up there at the time :o

Anyway, it was so nice to have other cyclists cheering me on. I kept hearing words of encouragement from all sorts of bike riders, like "Good Job!" "You're almost there!" etc. One guy (whom I was keeping up with) was even encouraging me throughout the entire climb, even on the "no-talking" 15% grade to the summit!

Yes, I went all the way up to the summit on my very first Mt. Diablo ride. I've ridden Twin Peaks in San Francisco over 20 times already. It's my after-work ride that I do Monday thru Friday, and I lost count around the 13th time up Twin Peaks. I've also ridden Hawk Hill in Marin several times. I wasn't going to stop until I reached the summit on Mt. Diablo, even after several people told me I could just turn around at the Ranger Station Junction. I took BART to Walnut Creek from San Francisco, then I rode to North Gate Road and went up from there. It wasn't as bad as I expected it to be after hearing about how South Gate Road would be the easier option.

So you're all awesome! Hopefully it'll be the same the next time I head up the mountain again!

Great Ride Report about a Great Ride.

You never forget your first Diablo. Congratulations.

I did not ride Diablo yesterday but I do a lot. I hope to see you and your LHT up there again soon.

Congrats! There's also San Bruno Mt. from brisbane or colma for some weekday variety close to home

Strava Segment | San Bruno Cat 2
Strava Segment | San Bruno Mtn- Price to Summit

Thanks, I'll check 'em out if I have the time!

Thank you for bringing glory to The Mountain.

What time were you riding? Maybe I captured you on my bikecam.

I reached the North Gate Road entrance to the park at 8:12 A.M. I reached the summit at around 10:46 A.M. I don't remember exactly when I started my descent, but I reached the park's North Gate Road exit at 11:24 A.M. All these times were read on my smartphone's clock. Hope that helps :)

I can totally see why it's a ride that everybody here loves to do. The climbing might have become gruelling at points, but I just looked to the side and marveled at the views to take my mind off of it.

fat_bike_nut, you are correct: Mt. Diablo cyclists are awesome. You are a Mt. Diablo cyclist. Therefore, you are awesome. Q.E.D.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-H...M/s800/FBN.jpg

HEY HEY!

This is such a cool post.
I have been up Diablo once. Mine had a surreal sense to it ... a perfect ride. I envy those who ride it regularly. Someday I hope to do it again.

Trying to delete double post, failing. See next...

Nice! And a nice post too.

My wife and I did rode to the summit for our 15 anniversary on Thursday. Every time I ride Diablo I am amazed how wonderful it is, and how lucky I am to live somewhat nearby. I still remember my first summit in the 70s, and as Oldstrong said, you'll never forget yours.

Congratulations. BTW, those LHTs weigh a ton, so double congrats! No one passing you on a carbon bike was doing anything special.

Oh, don't forget, you are now qualified to buy a Diablo jersey!

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NxsxYbXuMI...iablo+both.jpg

Next time go to Pleasant Hill BART - one more stop but a better ride to the Gate.

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/copy/15535118/

The best way to get to South Gate is to go over North Gate Road and then down and back up.

Congratulations! I hope to do this some day too :)


Can you upload a screenshot? Looks like the link you sent needs a login.

OK, this map was selected going the other way (Diablo to BART), but it's the same route. That first bit from the station to the Canal Trail is the Iron Horse Trail and the bridge over Treat Blvd.

http://i.imgur.com/U1da5Kh.jpg


http://i.imgur.com/U1da5Kh.jpg

Ha, that is me! Nice catch, DiabloScott.