RAIN CANCELLATION!
Distance: 37 mi.
Elevation gain: 3,034 ft. per RWGPS
Pace: B (moderate, occasional stops)
Terrain: 4 (hills, some steep climbs with some relief)
Meet up at 9:20 AM for a 9:45 AM ride out
GPS file, map, and cue sheet
here.
Let's try something new. It's been a long time since the club's ridden on Sierra Road, which is one of the classic climbs in the South Bay. It's also gorgeous. It's also a little nasty.
The new BART stations make this one way ride possible. We'll meet at Berryessa BART - the same station you'd go to if you were climbing Mt. Hamilton. After a short warmup through the burbs of North San Jose, we reach the start of our climb. Then we climb. And climb. And climb - about 1,800 feet in 3.5 miles, mostly in the 7-10% range.
Once we get to the top, though, it's pretty special. Sierra turns into Felter, which is beautifully pastoral. Then we get to Calaveras, with the added bonus that we're already almost at the top of Calaveras Wall at that point. Climb just a little and take a ride around a beautiful reservoir, then down to Sunol for lunch or at least a snack.
There are a few harrowing miles on Highway 84 (Niles Canyon Road) after lunch. Unfortunately, this heavily-trafficked road is not good for bikes, but it's the only way back to civilization. It sucks for about three miles. It would be a very good idea to bring a rear light and have it on after lunch.
Once we get down to Niles, it's a short jaunt through suburbia to Fremont BART.
We'll check the weather in the morning and if there's a 30% chance of rain, will cancel and let those who are registered know. (So please preregister.)
This is the 8th ride in a 2024 winter/spring series to help people gear up for late spring and summer riding, including the Chico Wildflower ride, AIDS/LifeCycle or your first metric or century of the year, or ever! We'll have longer and more difficult rides as the series progresses. We'll ride routes all over the Bay Area. Most routes will be without a whole lot of stop signs and lights. We'll try not to ride in the rain, and there won't be a safety speech.
Meals: Lunch/snack in Sunol (Sunol Corners Little Market, 11600 Pleasanton Sunol Rd) at mile 28. We'll be out in the wilderness most of the day, so be sure to bring a snack or two.
BART information: if you're coming from the city, take the train that leaves 16th and Mission at 8:06 AM and arrives at Berryessa Station at 9:20.
Sweeps? No
Is this a "no rider left behind" ride? No, but we will have a few regroups. We will keep an eye out for each other but if you are a new rider please either know the route or bring a map in case you get dropped from the group.
Not a member? Consider joining us for just $20/year. Click
here.