Mt. Diablo?

[deedolce]

Well, I've ridden up and down the Northgate, and with my Spring Break coming up, I'd like to ride up the Northgate and down the Southgate for a little variety :D

Can someone post me directions from the bottom of the Southgate back to the Northgate area? And a good place to stop for lunch? I'll probably be parking my truck at that park off Oak Grove (I've forgotten the name!)

Thank you!!

~Diana

[aka_kim]

Here's the route I usually take -

You have to go through Diablo Country Club. Not because of safety concerns, but just to see the gorgeous homes. To take this detour, you need to find the hole in the wall while descending South Gate. It's a little hard to find - it will be on your right after reaching the area with homes; you make a sharp and steep right hand turn, then after about 100 yards of very rough pavement there will be a break in the white wall on your right. If you miss it, just continue on past the Athenian School and make a right on Diablo Road.

I normally take Diablo Road, right on Green Valley, left on Stone Valley, right on Danville Blvd. But, if you're looking for somewhere to eat you might just want to follow Diablo Road all the way into Danville.

From Danville Blvd head north several miles (there are plenty of strip malls here to find a snack). I hop on the bike path at the Rudgear intersection and take it all the way through Walnut Creek and over Ygnacio. If you're looking for food there's a Whole Foods right on the bike path, and you're only a block from downtown WC.

Staying on the bike path over Ygnacio, continue north a few miles until the path intersects the Contra Costa Canal Trail and turn right. You have a few options here. You can take the canal trail all the way back to Oak Grove, and then it's a mile or two from there back to Arbolado. Or you can turn into Heather Farm and take the Ygnacio Canal trail all the way back to Arbolado. Or you can do what I do, which is to ride through Heather Farm, cross Ygnacio at San Carlos Dr, and then follow the bike route signs back to Arbolado.

If I had any patience at all I would map this out on Bikely. Sorry. Here's a link to a map (http://www.ebparks.org/parks/trails/contra_costa#trailmap) with the bike paths I mentioned - it does get a little tricky around Heather Farm.

Fyi in case you don't already know - if you park at the second lot at Arbolado, there's a bathroom and drinking fountain.

Have a great ride! I really enjoy riding both the north and south roads. The terrain and scenery are really quite different.

[Trek420]

deedolce, I'm not in any kind of shape to do Diablo, and can't lead when I'm on the back anyway of any ride. But maybe some TE'ers will want to join you?

There's a New Mexico style place in Danville we go to after with great posole (sp?) and fry bread and ....

[Veronica]

What day are you planning on riding it?

V.

[deedolce]

Thank you Kim! I'm a little familiar with some of the roads, having grown up in Concord, and your dirctions make sense to me. :)

Veronica, yep, I posted in BikerForums too! (as Overthere) The guys are still working on the day, but Friday looks more likely at this point. If he can change his work schedule!

Trek420: Fry bread...yum!

[jobob]

Keep us posted on the date - I'll see if I can take the day off. :)

[deedolce]

Jobob, that would be awesome! We can toodle along in the back together... :D

[Bike Goddess]

I'm doing Diablo tomorrow with my bike club group. We generally go up once a week. Not sure which way we are going up- I like doing the South Side first and the North Side back. The South side is an easier climb (once you get there!)

We park at Heather Farms (lots of parking and lots of restrooms) and when we come back (almost always the North Side down) we stop at Sweet Affair- a bakery just before you get to Ignacio Valley Rd (on the right side of N San Carlos) There are a number of restaurants in that mall PLUS Sports Basement has just opened shop at the far end. If you buy something at the Sweet Affair(GREAT sandwiches and soups-generous portions) you will get 10% off at the Sports Basement. I like going there because they have a lot of stuff-for outdoors enthusiasts.

AKA-Kim is right- go through the hole in the wall. They have a concrete wall that ends right at the opening but it is pretty obscure if you don't know to look. However, if you pass it no worry. When you get to the bottom take a right on Diablo Rd and then the 1st right (says private road, etc) which will also get you into the country club and the neat houses. You are basically going parallel to Diablo Road. At the end of the golf course you have to get back on Diablo Road. As you are going down, you will see a signal light. Bear to the LEFT and that will get you into downtown Danville. Diablo Rd ends at Hartz Ave. Lots of little restaurants in Danville. Just know that you will want to go North at some point to get onto Danville Blvd as that will get you back to the trail- just after Rudgear Road to the right (you will be going under the freeway overpass).

I might be interested in a ride on Friday- twice in a week. That otta be real interesting! :)

Keep us posted.

[deedolce]

That sounds great too, Nancy. :D I'll bug the guys again tomorrow. Doug said it might take a bit of shuffling on his end to get off work.
:eek: Once a week! Gawd, you guys are climbers! I wish it were in my backyard.... :cool:

~Diana

[deedolce]

Just to clarify - which I did on the other forum but not here... the Friday during my Spring Break would be March 28th, not *this* week.

I hope the timing works out! Sounds like lots of fun!

Diana

[mimitabby]

erg. I ALMOST did Mt Diablo. :( but we chickened out due to tired legs for Raleighdon and chicken legs for me :p

But I did get to meet the wonderful Bike Goddess!!!

she's great to ride with and a great cyclist too.

[aka_kim]

But I did get to meet the wonderful Bike Goddess!!!
And you got to meet the wonderful jobob, and the really-not-so-wonderful aka_kim too. :)

[mimitabby]

AKA_KIM? I am SO confused. Are you the one who was with Jobob? Yes, and I got to meet MR Jobob too.
I got to meet so many people and I'm still not sure who they all are!

[Bike Goddess]

Not to worry Ms Mimi- They are all GREAT! When I took you to the hotel to get changed after our little jaunt up the river, Jobob, Leebob and Kim were the three folks standing by the elevator. When you came back down, we were waiting for you! Hope that helps! :D:D:D:D:D:D

Friday- March 28th eh? I'll see if my little group would be interested. Sarah usually has that day off and I know she would love to come. We kind of play it by the weather reports as we don't like to go up there in the rain.

Are you planning a ride to the summit or just to the ranger station?????????

[deedolce]

Good heavens, for ME, that would be the Ranger station. I plan to goad the guys to go to the summit, while I snail my way to the Ranger station. :D

~Diana

[deedolce]

Good heavens, for ME, that would be the Ranger station. I plan to goad the guys to go to the summit, while I snail my way to the Ranger station. :D

BikeGoddess, how many are in your group? :)

~Diana

[Bike Goddess]

Deedolce- 1st I would tell you that if you would like a chance at the summit, do the South Side first as it is inifinitely easier (all up but more flat areas) than the North Side which is up up up once you get into the canyon.

I like doing both sides, I'm strong enough to do the summit either way. However, I'm less tired from the South Side and a bit faster as well.

How many in our group?- Depends on what day of the week. If I get an email out in the next few days we'd probably be a gang of 7. We'd start at Heather Farms- since you know the area, I trust you know how to get there. As I said before, the option for N or S is easier if you start there since it is so close to the Iron Horse trail (we always come back via the N as food calls at the end!) People ride their own pace- it's always YOUR ride.:):):)

If indeed my buddies consent to Friday instead of a different day next week, you will have the honor of escorting our oldest rider Joe Shami. He's now done 39 weeks in a row and still cranking. He's quite a character as you might imagine. He would be riding over from Lafayette to meet us.

Do let us know a confirmation of the dates and then I'll get the word out to my friends too.

[deedolce]

Looks like it's Monday, March 24th! It's their usual day off, and I guess work has been too crazy for them to change it.

Can anybody join us? I hope so!! We could get there, I don't know, 10:00?

Diana

[jobob]

Sorry, no can do that day. Have fun!

[Veronica]

I can't do that day either. I have a dentist appointment that I've already put off twice.

V.

[deedolce]

:(:(:(

Waaaahh!

[Bike Goddess]

I'll ask the group and see what happens!

Would you be willing to meet us at Heather Farms?????????

[deedolce]

Sure, Heather Farms would be fine! It's been decades since I've played tennis there. Where do you meet at HF? Is there one big parking lot? I got lost last time trying to find the meeting place at Arbolado! :p

Diana

[Bike Goddess]

Yes, the big lot. As you drive in it is on the left side. 2nd left turn- go right and then you'll get in. OR go to the end and turn left into the lot.

I'll let you know our plans and then we can do a PM for for cell phones and the like.

[deedolce]

Hi BikeGoddess,

Does this mean that you'll be joining us? I've sort told the guys that we'd drive out to Heather Farms, and be there around 10:00. Sound okay?

I'm looking forward to it! And maybe dreading it a little too....:p

~Diana

[Bike Goddess]

Looking good for me. I still need to tell the rest and see what happens. I'll get working on that right away.

No matter which way we go, 1st stop is Sweet Affair! Coffee and a scone or whatever. How's that sound?

[deedolce]

Yum! I'm always for food stops! Is that after we ride, I assume? I'm really looking forward to this! :D

[Bike Goddess]

We'll do Sweet Affair before AND after the ride. Be sure you are well stocked on the food side BEFORE you come down. I have found out the hard way that when doing this mtn, a good breakfast about 2 hrs prior to the ride PLUS a good snack just before we go, makes a huge difference in my stamina.

IF we end up doing the south side first- we can stop on the way. If we do the north side first- Sweet Affair is on the way.

I take with me up the mtn- 1/2 pb and jelly sandwich, cytomax, sport beans, goo, and bars + cytomax (at least 2 bottles worth). There is water at the junction for refilling bottles.

[Veronica]

My goodness that's a lot of food!

I usually don't eat much of anything when I ride the mountain. If we stop at the Junction I might have a few sport beans.

I also find pastries before I climb to not be a good idea - all that fat just sits in a gob in my stomach. :D I even asked if on my next permanent I could receipt from somewhere other than Bovine Bakery. Blasphemy I know. :)

Just goes to show how different we all are.

V.

[maillotpois]

I'm with V.

(I have also banned out SAG guy from bringing donuts before the Death Ride training rides. :rolleyes: ). If I were riding with you, I'd do coffee and oatmeal or something in the car. Sports drink on the road. Maybe a dried banana part way or something. We've got a guy on our team who loves pastries and sticky buns during rides - I simply can't do those while I am riding.

I do love the soup at the Bovine bakery though! V you really should give that a shot sometime. :D

[Bike Goddess]

I don't do pastries- the scone I get isn't that sweet and seems to last awhile. If we stop at Starbuck's I get an organic oatmeal cookie which seems to do wonders- 1/2 then and 1/2 at the junction. I generally eat breakfast (softboiled egg, toast, tea with milk)about 2 + hours before I meet people. So a good snack seems to be in order.,

I've bonked on the mtn enough times now from not having a good breakfast beforehand and not eating before we start the climb. However, age may play a factor- I wouldn't be surprised if I metabolize differently then you younger folks.:) Also, it might have something to do with what I eat the night before.

You are right- do what works. I'm also doing about 200 miles a week and that might be why I need to eat more. Who knows- we just have to work out our own way of eating, that's for sure.

[deedolce]

THANK YOU, NANCY!!!

Not only was she the best guide through the tricks and passages around towns to get to the Southgate of Mt. Diablo, she talked me through the ups and curves, and I ACTUALLY RODE TO THE SUMMIT!!! :eek: I really had no intention of even trying, but Nancy would have none of that. She made sure I drank and ate enough (I bonked last time - and am pretty bad about even thinking about it, I get so caught up in keeping the pedals turning) and oooh, those last couple of hundred feet, the battle that went on in my head as I wove and wobbled up that last stretch! BUT I MADE IT!! I had an escort of Mik and Bob, from Benicia Bike Club, and my DBC co-horts of the day, Doug and Walt (aka Mutt and Jeff)

I'm still half in disbelief I actually made it up. Man, my legs were trembling for a while after I got off. :p

And it was BEAUTIFUL - hillsides covered with poppies, everything in bloom, perfect weather, great company!

~Diana

[Veronica]

Congratulations!

V.

[Bike Goddess]

Yep! She's a REAL Trooper! Watch out! She'll be back!!!!:p:p:p:p:p

GREAT JOB dedolce!

Next up- working on descents!

So 3 more newbies have joined the summit club! :D:D:D:D

[Veronica]

I don't do pastries- the scone I get isn't that sweet and seems to last awhile.

I was making pie crust and thinking about this. It's not the sweet that gets me on a ride; it's the butter. I've made scones; I know how much butter goes into them!

V.

[Bike Goddess]

I must need a little fat on my bones- I know people eat pb sandwiches weh they get to the junction or summit.

Yum, yum pies??? You did miss a great pie fest BTW!:p:p:p:p

[Veronica]

Yeah PB, I can do PB anytime. I do like to eat peanut M&Ms and Snickers bars on a ride.

We had Thom's piano recital to go to that Saturday. We didn't go last year, so to preserve harmony, I didn't go.

I did briefly consider riding the century and then going to the recital... but he didn't think my snoring would be appropriate.

V.

[Bike Goddess]

Back to topic (brief diversion-I trust it was good time off the bike!:p)

When are you ever able to ride Diablo? Weekdays must be out because of your teaching schedule, right? I am so spoiled- riding during the week at this time of the year is so wonderful without cars (maybe 3 or 4).:(:(

[RoseRydr]

Congrats, deedolce, on conquering The Mountain! She's my favorite. She will teach you a lot. I still remember my first Diablo Challenge and crying tears of joy at the top!

I've learned respect for her as she's beat me down a couple of times... I've been caught in rain storms; crying in the summit bathroom, pulling on leg warmers knowing I was in trouble :eek:(saved by a prince that time, but another story), caught in the rain and dark and took me 2+ hrs to decend from the junction, cramps, scorching hot weather, you name it. But every time I ride up her I marvel all the way up that I'm taking in the view via my own power!!

I hope sometime I can join some of you TE'rs on the Mt. Next time, perhaps.

[Veronica]

Prior to yesterday, the last time I went up was Jan. 1. If I drove to work, I could ride it after teaching now that it is light later. But then I'd have to deal with traffic back into Antioch. It's not worth it. And there are so many other interesting places to ride on the weekend.

If I want to do some serious climbing after work I mountain bike at Black Diamond Regional Park.

V.

[Bike Goddess]

I agree on both counts! One of these days, however, we'll have to do a weekday climb. When's your next "official" school day off (after Spring break)?

deedolce is also a teacher, BTW:):)

[Veronica]

Memorial Day, then summer break. :p

V.

[deedolce]

Yep, Memorial Day, then Summer break! And Saturdays are possible for me too.
Bike Goddess, Benicia is on the way for me, back and forth, if I'm coming solo, I can hold 2 bikes in the bed of my truck on my bike rack. ;) And honestly, I wouldn't be past taking a day off work to ride....:D

I'm still partially in disbelief that I made it!! Of course, my legs are telling me otherwise, they're still sore!

After going up the North and South side, I much prefer the South side. I'm serious about wanting to try and ride Diablo once every month or so if possible! I expect I'll be learning ALOT about myself when riding Diablo, everytime...:o