Green, green, it's green they say
On the far side of the hill
Green, green, I'm goin' away
To where the grass is greener still
—Barry McGuire, Randy Sparks
Note: You must preregister to join club rides. Please download and print the cue sheet listed below or load the route in your GPS device.
Distance: 37 miles
Pace: B/C (moderate to brisk, few stops)
Terrain: 4 (hills, some steep climbs, with some relief)
Elevation gain: about 2,670 feet
For map, cue sheet, and GPS track go
here.
Oh yeah, the East Bay hills are super green right now and it won't last. Come spend a little time on the ‘mountain’ or a little time on the ‘hill’ as we climb up Patterson Pass and Altamont Pass east of Livermore. This is the best time of year to ride in the hills that separate Livermore from the Central Valley as the winter rains have left the hills verdantly green and carpeted with wildflowers.
We start in Livermore and head south and east on Tesla Rd. before starting the climb up Patterson Pass. The road is quiet and isolated except for the occasional motorcyclist and rally cars. We roll over the top and have a long descent to 580. Here we’ll get off the roads and take the California Aqueduct Bikeway north to Altamont Pass Road and climb back up, cross over 580 and descend to Livermore. The roads back to Livermore, like the roads heading out, are rural ranch roads with hardly any shoulder but in decent condition.
Meet at 9:15 AM for a 9:30 AM roll out.
Bring snacks to eat once we get to the Califonia Aqueduct. The only services are going to be a Mobil and Valero gas stations once we’re out in the boonies. But the Valero has a Subway and Los Jalos Taqueria in the same lot as well as a Grab 'N Go where, incidentally, you can get fried chicken!
Rain cancels; if iffy weather, contact the ride leader.
Please check weather forecast beforehand and dress accordingly. Those wind turbines on Altamont are there for a reason!