Bike Ride Pictures: Mt. Diablo LDT, May 28, 2005

Great pics! I used to live in the SF Bay Area, actually in Concord. Me
and a few guys were into road bikes when we were in high school(I rode
a 1950's Bottechia), 1968-1971. Did several rides up Mt. Diablo. I have
since lived in Mexico, rode up Mt. Ajusco 3-4 days a week. Good ride up
to about 10,000 ft. And now in Portland, Oregon. Tour de Blast(mT. St.
Helens) and the Torture 10,000. Several STP's. Never did RAMROD, age is
catching me, as well as a few health issues.

I hope to get down there again and do Diablo, have the roads been
resurfaced lately? HOpefully since 1971!

Tom
Portland, Oregon

Bill Bushnell said:

This Western Wheelers ride started at Diablo Vista Park at the corner of
Crow Canyon Rd. and Tassajara Ranch Rd. in Danville, CA.

We rode up South Gate Rd. into Mt. Diablo State Park and continued up
Summit Rd. to the top of the mountain before descending Summit and North
Gate Rds.

From Walnut Creek we rode through Concord and then over Bailey Rd. to
Pittsburg. Then we rode east on Leland through endless suburbs. I got
separated from the group and ended up taking Lone Tree Way to Deer
Valley Rd. when I couldn't find Empire Mine Rd.

Deer Valley Rd. climbs over several low ridges and broad valleys before
ending at Marsh Creek Rd. I turned right and returned toward Clayton on
Marsh Creek Rd. as it passes through Dark Canyon.

At Morgan Territory Rd. I turned left and began the long quiet journey
through this pretty corner of the Diablo Range southeast of Mt. Diablo.
The road is closed to through traffic due to a slide, but bikes can
easily ride past. After I passed the last of the ranchettes I saw no
one until I got to the parking lot for the Morgan Territory Preserve at
the top of the hill.

The descent south into the Livermore Valley is steep and swift, and on
this day, windy.

At the bottom I turned right (west) and headed back to the start in
Danville on Highland Way and Camino Tassajara Rds.

(89.3 miles, 6850ft climbing)

http://tinyurl.com/76kxn

Note: To read the map details, open the fullsize versions.

--
Bill Bushnell
http://pobox.com/~bushnell/

Bill Bushnell <[email hidden]> wrote in news:mrbill-23DA55.02232508062005
@typhoon.sonic.net:

Quoted message said:

From Walnut Creek we rode through Concord and then over Bailey Rd. to
Pittsburg. Then we rode east on Leland through endless suburbs. I got
separated from the group and ended up taking Lone Tree Way to Deer
Valley Rd. when I couldn't find Empire Mine Rd.

To get to Empire Mine Rd. from Lone Tree Way, R-Golf Course Rd., R-Mesa
Ridge Rd., R-Empire Mine Rd. I live in Antioch, so I ride Empire Mine Rd.
fairly often. It's a quiet little road.

--
Mike DeMicco <[email hidden]>