Sunday, August 30, 2015
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This ride heads south from Sunol for the gentle flat-rolling climbs along Calaveras Reservoir on Calaveras Rd. It continues east for a loop on Felter and Sierra Rds to the summit at Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve. The steep descent drops down onto Piedmont Rd for the climb up Calaveras Rd to Ed Levin Park. Climb “Calaveras Wall” before returning north along the reservoir back to Sunol.
Exit Sunol on Main St to Niles Canyon Rd and head south on Paloma Rd to Calaveras Rd.
The first four rolling miles on Calaveras Rd takes you along Sunol Valley through several nurseries, a tree farm, an aggregate company and a water treatment plant.
The gentle beautiful climb up Calaveras begins after crossing the bridge over Welch Creek.
The first 3.3 miles up to the false summit goes through the Sunol Regional Wilderness followed by a rolling descent towards the reservoir.
The rolling terrain leads to a short climb to the high point of Calaveras Rd at 1124′ into Santa Clara County.
Enjoy the views of Calaveras Reservoir!
The road continues to snake up and around the woodlands.
The ups and down takes you to the next summit at 1087′ with gorgeous vistas of Calaveras Valley.
The steep descent leads to the junction at Felter Rd.
The rolling climbs along Felter Rd has some very steep sections with grades of 9-15%; it runs 4.1 miles though the Los Buellis Hills with grazing cattle and a few homes and estates hidden up along the hillsides.
This less traveled road has great views of Calaveras Valley and the surrounding mountains before coming to a Y junction at Sierra Rd.
Sierra Rd begins on a two lane road which becomes a narrow single lane for the 2 miles up to the summit.
It’s a gorgeous stretch of road with minimal to no traffic that winds along the back side of the ridge with magnificent views of the hills and canyons around the Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve-WOW!
Stop at Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve:
The 3.7 mile descent on Sierra Rd down to Piedmont Rd is steep-use caution!
Head north on Piedmont Rd through the neighborhoods from San Jose to Milpitias.
Calaveras Rd from Evans Rd begins with a short steep climb up a wall with grades of 9-12% and eases to grades of 5-8% up to Ed Levin County Park.
Calaveras Rd continues on up pass Laguna Cemetery, a few more horse ranches and training arenas.
The “Calaveras Wall” begins at the foot of Felter Rd; it’s a short 0.3 mile climb with very steep grades of 10-15% up to the summit.
Return along the ridge along the foothills of Diablo Range with gorgeous vistas of Calaveras Valley and Calaveras Reservoir.
Cross back into Alameda County for the climb up to the first false summit.
The fun sweeping twisty descent on Calaveras Rd leads you back through Sunol Valley into Sunol.
This is a fantastic scenic hilly ride along the quiet country roads from Sunol Valley and Sunol Regional Wilderness to Calaveras Valley and the Los Buellis Hills! The climbs on Calaveras, Felter and Sierra provides gorgeous views of the reservoir and it’s surrounding mountain ridges, canyons and valleys!
Garmin Stats:
46.1 Miles with 4278′ of elevation gain
Max elevation: 1999′
Max grade: 15%
Terrain: Hilly with a few steep climbs
Weather: Sunny and warm with clear blue skies. Temps ranged from the high 60’s to the high 80’s with NW winds.
View the interactive RGPS route map & profile
Follow this route for today’s ride:
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