Sunday, May 8, 2016
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This ride heads east for a scenic loop around Livermore Valley through the country back roads from Collier Canyon Rd to the wind farms along Patterson Pass and Altamont Pass.
Exit the parking lot onto Camino Tassajara; this road heads south out of town towards the backcountry with wide open pastoral ranch lands and rolling hills through the unincorporated town of Tassajara.
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.
The climb up Collier Canyon Rd is 0.6 mile with an average grade of 4.8%; you’re near the top when you see the old water tower and windmill.
Collier Canyon Rd continues on flat rolling terrain for the next 4.8 scenic country miles to the south end at Portola Ave; the road crosses into Alameda County towards Livermore Valley with minimal to no traffic.
These golden ranch lands are populated with a few working cattle ranches and a equine boarding facility. The gentle rolling terrain comes to a T junction with Portola Ave.
Head east on Portola Ave into Livermore; the road crosses over I-580 and continues along the residential neighborhoods out to First St & N Mines Rd.
Continue east on Patterson Pass Rd; the road spans 11.5 miles east from Mines Rd to Midway Rd. The first few miles travels through the flat Industrial Park area of Livermore out past Greenville Rd.
Patterson Pass Rd continues out through the flat valley for the next 1.2 miles to S Flynn Rd.
Patterson Pass Rd up to the junction with Cross Rd.
At Cross Rd, Patterson Pass begins to climb along the back ridge for the next 1.5 mile with gradient ranges of 7-11%.
The last bit up to the summit kicks up to steep grades of 12-15%!
The summit offer fabulous views of the wind farms lining the hillsides in the distance!
The descent on Patterson Pass heading east to Midway Rd is fast! It winds down through the open grasslands with hilltop windmills. The road rolls along the valley towards the Altamont Pass Wind Farm Substation to Midway Rd.
Midway Rd cuts across the valley for a short climb towards the windmills.
Midway drops down through the ranches before rolling underneath I-580 towards the California aqueduct off Grant Line Rd.
Continue west on Altamont Pass Rd; it stretches 8.6 miles through the scenic Altamont windmill farms out towards Livermore Valley and Greenville Rd.
The rolling terrain takes you past the Altamont Landfill to the summit at the Summit Garage.
Altamont Pass Rd gently winds down along the RR tracks and I-580 into Livermore Valley at Northfront Rd.
Turn right on N Vasco Rd and make your way out of the city through a series of turns on Scenic, Broadmoor, Dalton and Ames to Raymond Rd.
Weave through the open valley on Raymond and Dagnino to May School Rd and enjoy the fantastic views of the surrounding rolling hills and country ranches.
Head NW on N Livermore Ave to Manning Rd and take in the splendid country landscape!
The rolling terrain on Highland Rd goes past the old wooden barns and cattle pens to the white tower at Carneal Rd.
Highland Rd continues along the fenced pastures around Reinstein Ranch before dropping down to the lower valley at the intersection with Collier Canyon Rd. Retrace route back along Highland Rd to Camino Tassajara.
Return west along Camino Tassajara back to Danville.
This is a beautiful scenic ride around Livermore Valley to the remote climbs up Patterson Pass and Altamont Pass. You’ll enjoy the beautiful rolling hills and quiet country back roads!
Garmin Stats:
54 Miles with 2803′ of elevation gain
Max elevation: 1596′
Max grade: 15%
Terrain: Flat-rolling with a few low hills and a steep climb
Weather: Partly cloudy, humid and warm. Temps ranged from the mid 50’s to the high 60’s with SW winds.
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Follow this route for today’s ride:
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