Sunday, November 24, 2013

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I ride this short scenic loop at least once a week; I can leave home a little later and still return with enough time to do other things. This route goes up the gentler side of McEwen Rd and drops into the small town of Port Costa. The rollers on Carquinez Scenic Dr heads west into Crockett for the climb up Crockett Blvd to Cummings Skywy.

From Alhambra Ave, we head west on Franklin Canyon Rd for 3.6 miles; the false flat terrain goes along a quiet back road with some residential homes, horse ranches and vineyards.

The 1.2 mile climb up south McEwen Rd has minimal to no traffic with gentle grades of 5-7%.

The steep descent on McEwen drops down onto Reservoir Rd into the small town of Port Costa.

We exit Port Costa on Canyon Lake Rd to Carquinez Scenic Dr; this road snakes along the rolling hills around Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline into Crockett.

Crockett Blvd stretches from Pomona St up Cummings Skywy; it’s a 2 mile climb with gradient ranges of 6-8%.

We head SE on Cummings Skywy to Franklin Canyon Rd.

We descend Franklin Canyon to Alhambra Ave.

We take the city streets around Martinez back to Holiday Highlands Park.

Sometimes I like to reverse this route to climb the north side of McEwen Rd from Carquinez Scenic Dr. Either way; it’s a nice loop on quiet back roads with minimal traffic and decent elevation gain. Short rides are fun too-come and check it out!

Garmin Stats:
26.08 Miles with 2034′ of elevation gain
Max elevation: 579′
Max grade: 8%
Terrain: Hilly

Weather: Sunny and cool with temps ranging from the low 50’s to the mid 60’s. NE winds with 54% humidity

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Don’t run, skip as if the path ahead is full of daisies!
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Click here to view the interactive route map & elevation profile

Follow this route for today’s ride: