Friday, August 28, 2015

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This urban ride heads out from Martinez and travels south on Taylor and Pleasant Hill Rd into Lafayette. It continue east through Tice Valley for a flat run along Danville Blvd to Camino Tassajara. Roll out towards Livermore for a scenic country loop on Highland and Carnel to Collier Canyon. Reverse route to Danville Blvd and return via the Iron Horse and Canal Trails back to the start.

Head out of Martinez on Arnold, Glacier and Center to Vine Hill and Morello Ave.

Head south on Taylor Blvd; this busy main thoroughfare is a very utilitarian way to get from Pleasant Hill down into Lafayette with great pavement and wide shoulder areas. At Grayson Rd, Taylor Blvd gradually ascends with gentle grades of 3-5% up towards Dinosaur Hill Park before dropping down to the stop light at Withers Ave.

Taylor levels out for the next half mile plus towards the Pleasant Hill Rd interchange and kicks up to 7-10% grades for the 0.7 mile climb up to the traffic light at Rancho View Dr.

Descend Pleasant Hill Rd to Olympic Blvd and head east into Walnut Creek. *Use caution and watch traffic going through the Hwy 24 interchange area!

Turn right on Tice Valley Blvd for the climb up towards the senior community at Rossmoor and a quick stop at Tice Valley Park.

Continue through Tice Valley for a steep climb up to the residential neighborhood around Walnut Heights.

The short rolling climbs on Crest Ave leads to a descent on Hillgrade Ave to 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.

Continue through the downtown area on Front St to Hartz Way and ride along the residential neighborhoods around Laurel Dr.

The turn on Sycamore Valley Rd to Camino Tassajara takes you through the suburban neighborhoods in Danville. The flat miles goes pass the golden hills of Sycamore Valley Open Space and the displays of trees, plants and flowers at the Tassajara Nursery.

The short climb on Camino Tassajara rolls down towards the shopping centers around Blackhawk.

Camino Tassajara continues out of Danville and heads south towards the country with wide open pastoral ranch lands and rolling hills through the unincorporated town of Tassajara.

The turn on Highland Rd travels east on gentle rolling terrain through “horse country” with boarding ranches and training facilities. The beautiful hills are dotted with grazing cattle and scattered barns.

At the Y intersection, stay on Highland for the short climb up and over into the valley. Grazing cattle and horses dot this beautiful idyllic country landscape.

Carneal Rd cuts across the valley to the T junction at Collier Canyon Rd.

Collier Canyon climbs gently for about a mile with grades of 2-4.5% up to the old water tower and windmill. The fast descent drops back onto Highland Rd.

At Highland Rd, we reverse our way back out to Camino Tassjara.

Return through Camino Tassajara pass the equine boarding and training facilities and open pastoral fields below the contoured hills to the suburban neighborhoods around Blackhawk.

Meander back along the city streets to Danville Blvd.

Continue north on S Broadway and take the Iron Horse Trail to the Contra Costa Canal Trail.

The Contra Costa Canal Trail meanders through Walnut Creek to Pleasant Hill and Martinez.

Take Center Ave and return to Holiday Highlands Park on Glacier, Arnold and Fig Tree Ln.

This is a great “get out” and spin the legs ride with low hills from the urban streets to the country back roads in Livermore!

Garmin Stats:
61.13 Miles with 2313′ of elevation gain
Max elevation: 867′
Max grade: 10%
Terrain: Rolling with a few low hills

Weather: Sunny ans HOT! Temps ranged from the high 70’s to the low 100’s with NW winds.

View the interactive RGPS route map & profile

Follow this route for today’s ride: