Wednesday, August 24, 2017

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This urban ride travels south along San Ramon Valley from Danville to Sunol with two out & back spurs; Dublin Blvd to Schaefer Ranch at Dublin HIlls and Kilkare Rd up to Kilkare Woods.

Exit Osage Station Park and Orange Blossom Way and El Capitan Dr to Camino Ramon; this frontage road runs along the west side of I-680 from Danville to Greenbrook Dr in San Ramon.

Turn left and head south on San Ramon Valley Rd into San Ramon.

The flat-rolling miles on San Ramon Valley Rd goes through San Ramon and Dublin. At Alcosta Blvd, the road name changes to San Ramon Rd as it crosses into Alameda County.

Dublin Blvd to the summit at Dublin Hills is 2.3 miles; the road begins on gentle terrain before kicking up to grades of 6-9% for half a mile starting from Silvergate Dr. The road levels out for a short  3/10ths of a mile up around the bend to Roys Hill Ln.

The road continues to climb for another mile with an average grade of 5.5% and steeper pitches of 9-11%.

Dublin Hills Regional Park Donlon Point Staging Area at Schaefer Ranch.

Continue on Dublin Blvd for the steep drop on Schaefer Ranch Rd to Dublin Canyon Rd.

Turn left on Dublin Canyon Rd and head east through the canyon to Foothill Rd.

Foothill Rd travels south on rolling terrain through the residential neighborhoods along the west edge of Pleasanton.

The road continues past Castlewood Country Club and estate homes towards Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park.

Foothill Rd kicks up for some short rolling climbs into the town of Sunol to Kilkare Rd.

Kilkare Rd is an out & back climb from Sunol into the small community of Kilkare Woods; it’s a gentle 3.6 mile stretch of road with minimal to no traffic. The road has an average grade of 3.5% with steep pitches of 6-8%. Check out the Little Brown Church of Sunol, the historic stone mansion at Elliston Vineyards and the cute little blue storybook house as you wind your way up through the canyon.

 

Kilkare Rd to Elliston Vineyards.

Kilkare Rd up to the Kilkare Woods Home Assn sign.

The road continues to snake up along Sinbad Creek with the calming sounds of trickling water and views of homes nestled in the woods. Kilkare Rd dead ends at Singalong Way near a trail head into Pleasanton Ridge Park.

Turn around and descend Kilkare Rd to Foothill Rd. Turn left and return along Foothill Rd towards Pleasanton Ridge Park and Castlewood Country Club.

Continue north on Foothill Rd towards Dublin Canyon Rd.

Cross over I-580 and return through San Ramon Valley into Danville.

This route travels along the wide boulevards through the urban sprawl along San Ramon Valley to Schaefer Ranch at Dublin Hills and to Kilkare Woods on Foothill Rd. You’ll enjoy the quiet scenic climb through Kilkare Canyon along Sinbad Creek with minimal to no traffic!

Garmin Stats:
46.6 Miles with 2346′ of elevation gain
Max Elevation: 761′
Max grade: 11%
Terrain: Flat-rolling with a few low hill climbs

Weather: Plenty of sunshine and blue skies. Temps ranging from the mid 60’s to the high 80’s with SW-W winds.

View the interactive RGPS route map & profile

Follow this route for today’s ride: