Solano Century

Wednesday, May 24, 2016

This route goes across the Benicia-Martinez Bridge into Solano County for a fairly flat century ride out to Winters. It heads north through Cordelia and Fairfield to Lagoon Valley Park in Vacaville. It continues through the beautiful Vaca Valley out to the nut and fruit orchards along Putah Creek for a lunch stop in Winters. The return includes a scenic run through the flats around the orchards and agricultural fields to the rolling English Hills for a climb up east Cantelow Rd.

Head north on Morello Ave to the outskirt of Martinez to Pacheco Blvd towards the refinery on Shell Ave.

morello ave

pacheco blvd

shell ave

marina vista ave

The RR Xing on Mococo Rd leads to the Benicia-Martinez Bridge Trail; it crosses Carquinez Strait with scenic views of the blue waterway and Franklin Hills. The path climbs for about a mile with an average grade of 4% followed by a quick descent onto Park Rd in Benicia.

benicia-martinez bridge trail

Park Rd goes pass the Benicia Historical Museum towards the refineries to the industrial business parks along Industrial Way. This stretch of road provides great views of the remaining Mothball Fleet around Suisun Bay and the wetlands and marshes around Goodyear Slough.

industrial way

park rd

industrial way

park rd

industrial way

park rd

Continue north on Goodyear Rd for the next flat 4.7 miles; this less traveled frontage road runs along the east side of I-680 with views of the marshlands and sloughs.

goodyear rd

Cross I-680 on Marshview Rd to Lopes Rd; the flat-rolling terrain rolls along the west side of I-680 towards the residential subdivisions at Fairfield/Cordelia.

lopes rd

I-680

lopes rd

Cross over I-680 on Gold Hill Rd to Ramsey Rd; this less traveled side road goes along the east side of I-680 towards the I-80 junction in Cordelia.

ramsey rd

bridgeport rd

ramsey rd

bridgeport rd

ramsey rd

Cross the RR tracks at Old Cordelia and continue east on Cordelia Rd to the short climb up and over to the south edge of Green Valley.

cordelia rd

Cordelia Rd leads you out to the open valley floor with nut orchards and rich agricultural farmlands.

cordelia rd

Go around the Budweiser plant on Hale Ranch Rd to Busch Dr and cross over I-80 on Chadbourne Rd.

hale ranch rd

busch dr

chadbourne rd

Abernathy Rd continues north through the open farmlands and vineyards around Suisun Valley.

abernathy rd

Mankas Corner Rd and Waterman Rd runs along the NW edge of the residential subdivisions in Fairfield to Hilborn Rd.

mankas corner rd

waterman bvd

hilborn rd

Cross over I-80 on Manuel Campos Pkwy to Paradise Valley Dr.

paradise valley dr

manuel campos pkwy

Take the mulit-use trail along Paradise Valley to Nelson Rd.

paradise valley multi-use trail

paradise valley trail

paradise valley multi-use trail

Nelson runs parallel along I-80 to Lagoon Valley Rd.

nelson rd

Turn right on Lagoon Valley for a leisurely stroll through Lagoon Valley Park and Pena Adobe Park.

lagoon valley park

Meet up on Rivera Rd in Vacaville.

rivera rd

Cross over I-80 on Cherry Glen Rd to Pleasants Valley Rd.

rivera rd

Pleasants Valley Rd is a gorgeous stretch of flat road that begins along Vaca Valley through the rich farmlands and orchards with fantastic views of the Vaca Mountains.

pleasants valley rd

The rolling climbs take you through the valley with horse and cattle ranches, farms and nurseries.

pleasants valley rd

Pleasants Valley continues north towards Cantelow Rd.

pleasants valley rd

The gentle rolling terrain continues through some horse ranches with paddocks to the pastoral lands with grazing cattle.

pleasants valley rd

The road roughly follows Pleasants Creek through the open valley with several creek crossing through the orchards and green grasslands.

pleasants valley rd

Head NE on Putah Creek Rd with views of the blue waters of Lake Solano and Putah Creek.

putah creek rd

The flat terrain rolls through the vast fruit and nut orchards around east Yolo County.

putah creek rd

Cross Putah Creek on Railroad Ave into the town of Winters.

rwinters trestle bridge

winters

Lunch stop at Rotary Park or Steady Eddy’s.

rotary park

steady eddy’s

rotary park

Reverse your way on Main St and take the Winters Bridge back out to Putah Creek Rd.

putah creek rd

Meander around the beautiful flat lands through the orchards and ranch houses along Boyce to Wolfskill and Halley.

wolfskill rd

boyce rd

halley rd

Sweeney Rd and N Meridian Rd takes you out through the rich expansive agricultural and pastoral lands around east Yolo County.

n meridian rd

Head west on Allendale Rd for 2.8 flat miles through the open fields and farmlands.

allendale rd

The rolling terrain on Timm Rd, Peaceful Glen and English Hills Rd leads you south around the English Hills residential ranching communities to Cantelow Rd.

english hills rd

timm rd

peaceful glen rd

english hills rd

The ascent up the east side of Cantelow Rd is 3.5 miles with a series of rolling climbs. The first gentle half mile takes you under a canopy of trees out to the Catholic Retreat Ranch.

cantelow rd

The road continues for the next mile along the back of the ridge to beautiful white estate ranch house.

cantelow rd

Cantelow continues to climb up to the next ranching area followed by a short descent.

cantelow rd

The 0.4 mile leading up to the right hairpin turn from the ranch house is steep with gradient ranges of 9-13%! It gradually levels out as you make the short bit up to the summit.

cantelow rd

Enjoy the fabulous valley and mountain views!

valley views

The descent on the west side of Cantelow to Pleasants Valley Rd is steep and twisty with a few blind curves.

valley views

cantelow rd

valley views

cantelow rd

Head south on Pleasants Valley Rd for the next 6.5 miles; the rolling terrain leads back through Vaca Valley to Cherry Glen Rd.

pleasants valley rd

Turn right onto Cherry Glen; the road continues south around Lagoon Valley to Lyon Rd.

lyon rd

cherry glen rd

lyon rd

Retrace steps back along the neighborhoods on Hilborn and Waterman Blvd.

hilborn rd

Return on Mankas Corner Rd to Abernathy Rd.

abernathy rd

Head west on Suisun Pkwy and Business Center Dr.

suisun pkwy

business center dr

Cross over I-80 on Suisun Valley Rd to Pittman Rd and Cordelia Rd.

pittman rd

cordelia rd

pittman rd

Head south on Lopes Rd to Marshview Rd.

lopes rd

Crossover I-680 and continue south on Goodyear Rd; this frontage road runs parallel to the freeway with fantastic views of Solano County’s wetlands and marshes.

goodyear rd

Retrace route on Industrial Way to Park Rd.

industrial way

park rd

Cross over Carquinez Strait on the Benicia-Martinez Bridge. Enjoy the views!

carquinez strait

bridge trail

carquinez strait

carquinez strait

Return through Pacheco to Martinez on Morello Ave.

shell ave

morello ave

This is a wonderful century ride from Martinez out to Winters with plenty of flat gentle rolling terrain and one climb up Cantelow Rd.

Garmin Stats:
111.7 Miles with 3560′ of elevation gain
Max elevation: 770′
Max grade: 13%
Terrain: Flat-rolling with a few low hills and one steep climb

Weather: Morning clouds with brilliant afternoon sun. Temps ranged from the mid 50’s to the high 70’s with brisk SW winds.

View the interactive RGPS route map & profile

Follow this route for today’s ride:

View this document on Scribd

View the interactive RGPS route map & profile

Follow this route for ride from Vacaville to Winters:

View this document on Scribd

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