Friday, January 1, 2016

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This ride rings in the New Year with a local Bay Area cycling tradition of climbing up Mt Diablo! This out & back route heads up North Gate Rd to the Junction Ranger Station and up Summit Rd to the summit.

Mt Diablo State Park North Gate Entrance Station to the Junction Ranger Station is 6.5 miles with an average grade of 6%. North Gate Rd to Mt Diablo North Entrance to Arroyo del Cerro Ranch.

North Gate Rd towards Burma Trailhead at 1000′.

The steepest section on North Gate Rd is about a quarter-mile stretch with 9-11% grades on the approach to the 1000′ elevation sign near Burma Road Trail to Camel Rock and a bit beyond.

North Gate Burma Trail to Diablo Ranch.

North Gate winds up and around the switchbacks to the trail at Angel Kerley Rd.

The last 0.7 mile to the Junction Ranger Station.

Summit Rd up to Mt Diablo summit is 4.5 miles with an average grade of 7%. Summit Rd to Livermore Valley Overlook.

Spectacular Livermore Valley Overlook views!

Livermore Valley Overlook to Toyon Picnic Area-steep 9-11% climb to Grapevine Picnic Area.

The road eases up from Grapevine Picnic Area to Juniper.

Gorgeous Diablo Valley Overlook views!

Juniper to Devils Elbow:

Devils Elbow to summit lower parking lot-steep 13-17% climb up “the wall’ to Mt Diablo Summit.

Stunning summit views!

Climbing up Mt Diablo on New Year’s Day is a wonderful way to celebrate and kick-start another year of cycling!

Garmin Stats:
47.7 Miles with 4692′ of elevation gain (ride out from Martinez)
30.4 Miles with ~3961′ of elevation gain (ride start from Heather Farm)
Max elevation: 3972′
Max grade: 17%
Terrain: Extremely hilly

Weather: Sunny and COLD. Temps ranged from the low 30’s to the high 40’s with NE winds.

View the interactive RGPS route map & profile

Follow this route for today’s ride: