Sunday, November 23, 2014

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This urban ride rolls south through the flat lands along San Ramon Valley to Dublin. It climbs up Dublin Blvd to Schaefer Ranch and Donlon Point at Dublin Hills. The return north goes along Dublin Canyon back to San Ramon Valley and includes a jaunt through the Alamo residential neighborhoods around Roundhill Country Club.

I make my way out of Martinez on Arnold and Glacier to Vine Way and Morello Ave.

The turn on Taylor Blvd takes me up and over into Lafayette; the gentle rolling terrain on this wide boulevard leads to a half mile climb up to the summit at Rancho View with gradient ranges of 7-9%.

The road name changes to Pleasant Hill Rd before descending through the busy Hwy 24 interchange area to Olympic Blvd.

I head east on Olympic Blvd into Walnut Creek and take the classic ride through the residential neighborhoods on Newell Ave, Lilac Dr and Lancaster Rd to Castle Hill and Danville Blvd.

Danville Blvd runs south along the flat San Ramon Valley from Walnut Creek to the business and commercial districts in Alamo and Danville.

San Ramon Valley Rd continues south through the busy shopping plazas and commercial businesses in Danville to San Ramon.

At Alcosta Blvd, the road name changes to San Ramon Rd as it crosses into Alameda County to the city of Dublin.

Dublin Blvd to the summit at Donlon Point is 2.3 miles; the road begins on gentle terrain before kicking up to grades of 6-9% for half a mile starting from Silvergate Dr. The road levels out for a short  3/10ths of a mile up around the bend to Roys Hill Ln.

The road continues to climb for another mile up Dublin Hills with an average grade of 5.5% and steeper pitches of 9-11%.

Look around and enjoy the scenic valley views from the Donlon Point Staging Area at Schaefer Ranch-WOW!

I descend Schaefer Ranch Rd to Dublin Canyon Rd and head east down the canyon to Foothill Rd.

I cross over I-580 on Foothill Rd and reverse my way through Ramon Valley on San Ramon Rd and San Ramon Valley Rd back to Danville.

Greenbrook Dr leads me north through the quiet residential neighborhoods to Old Orchard Dr and Camino Tassajara.

The turn on Diablo Rd goes around the neighborhood schools to Green Valley and Stone Valley Rd.

Roundhill Dr and Roundhill Rd takes me through the golfing greens around Round Hill Country Club in Alamo; this is a nice quiet jaunt through the upscale residential neighborhoods with minimal traffic.

I continue to meander around the neighborhoods on Miranda Dr to Livorna and Lavender Dr.

Rudgear Rd drops down from the upper valley to S Broadway.

I hop onto the Iron Horse Trail at Newell Ave and continue on the Contra Costa Canal Trail to Taylor Blvd.

I reverse the way back to Holiday Highlands Park from Taylor to Morello Ave, Vine Hill and Center to Glacier and Arnold.

This urban ride is a great way to get in a metric century with minimal elevation gain; it’s nice to see the autumn pops of color along this route out to Schaefer Ranch!

Garmin Stats:
63.07 Miles with 2940′ of elevation gain
Max elevation: 825′
Max grade: 10%
Terrain: Flat-rolling with a few low hills

Weather: Sunshine with partly cloudy skies and cool temps ranging from the low 50’s to the mid 60’s. SW winds with 55% humidity.

View the interactive RGPS route map & profile

Follow this route for today’s ride: