Wednesday, March 9, 2011

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For today, Wyatt and I ride out from Martinez to join the group that meets up at the Walnut Creek BART station for a flat ride out for lunch at EJ’s Cattle & Feed. We make our way through the city streets to get to Newell, Lilac, Lancaster and Castle Hill. We continue on Danville Blvd to Diablo Rd and Camino Tassajara.

We turn on Highland Rd; there are Shetland ponies out on the open pastures and the alpacas grazing at the ranch. The green hill goes as far as the eye can see. It’s very quiet and peaceful back here with minimal traffic.

There is a short climb up Collier Canyon to Carneal Rd.

The lunch stop is at EJ’s Cattle & Feed. I missed seeing Ed; he’s pulling out in his pickup truck while we’re pulling into the driveway. There’s a nice gazebo area with a picnic table, several bike racks and a soda & snack vending machine. Water and a porta-pottie are available for public use; it’s a kind gesture to put in a little donation in the jar to support their efforts here. Take the time to walk around the ranch, there’s plenty to see. During the spring, Ed will set up the children’s play area again and offer hay rides and “a day in the
country”.

After lunch, we continue on Carneal to do a short lollipop loop around Highland and Manning.

We retrace the route back to the WC BART and make our return to Martinez along the Canal Trail.

Thanks to Carla and Virginia for leading today’s ride!

~22 people in attendance with 2 tandems

Original route: 45 miles with 1160′ of elevation gain

Extended route: 63 mile with 2334′ of elevation gain

Weather: Morning sun giving way to cloudy skies; cool and
breezy with temps in the mid 60’s

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>PUSH ON-KEEP MOVING!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>