Here is a sample chapter from my book. It is summarized but all the relevant info is here. I hope it is helpful to the right people. Let me know your thoughts.
REDWOOD RIDE (Bay Area, California)
SUMMARY
A popular and challenging ride with perfect twisties and impressive scenery. If you want to feel like there is nothing but you, your bike and the road, this ride is for you.
General Location/Directions:
Begins Redwood Rd. Exit off of Route 580
Left onto Redwood Rd. ~ 10.2 miles
Right onto Pinehurst Rd. ~ 6.7 miles
Right onto Skyline Blvd. turns into Grizzly Peak ~ 8.7 miles
Left onto Marin Ave. ~ 2.2 miles
Continue on Buchanan St. ~ .6 miles Entrance Route 580
Mileage: ~ 30 miles
MAP
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=117622686938550541061.0004949668099f4f9508f&doflg=ptm&ie=UTF8&ll=37.857643,-122.195091&spn=0.105445,0.222301&z=13&iwloc=00049496680ca5b79cd9c
Types of Bikes:
Suitable for Sport, Dual, Cruisers. Not recommended for oversized cruisers or small scooters.
Points Of Interest:
Chabot Regional Park, San Leandro Reservoir, Redwood Regional Park, Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve, Tilden Regional Park.
Cell Phone Reception:
Sketchy for about 8 miles outside of Castro Valley while going through Chabot and Redwood Regional Park.
(Rating 1-5)
Technicality: 3
Fun: 4
Scenery: 3
Connections (ease of connection to other roads/rides:) 4
DESCRIPTION
The redwood ride is largely contained within a rural setting although the beginning section in Castro Valley is business/residential and the ending portion in Albany/Berkeley is mostly residential. These sections consist of only a small percentage of the ride as a whole. The start of the ride in Castro Valley is pleasant enough and is a good place to stop for gas, restroom or food. Watch your speed as you will be passing through a residential area (35 mph) and a school zone (25 mph.) As I see it, the actual ride starts just about 2 miles from when you exit onto Redwood Rd. from Route 580. This is when you stop seeing homes and schools and it becomes park land. Most of the ride from this point on passes through park areas which are wooded and somewhat remote at times. The residential areas start up again once you meet Skyline Blvd. but it continues to be a well forested area. Once on Grizzly Peak Blvd. you will find many opportunities to stop and enjoy the spectacular views of the bay, Oakland and San Francisco. However, if you choose not to stop you will still have plenty to enjoy despite the views. The roads are clean, well maintained and offer varying degrees of turns and twists for the full duration of the ride. Once you arrive at Marin Ave, be prepared for about a half mile of crazy steep downward hill. Use those low gears... This road will continue out to the highway.
ROAD DESCRIPTIONS/CONDITIONS
The road conditions are generally good for the most part. They seem to be well maintained and kept free of large debris and potholes. There are few rockslide areas and narrow portions to look out for but nothing that an experienced rider cant handle. Road signs are helpful, clear and posted frequently. You will see many "twisty" road signs that recommend 10 and 15 mph. You wont find many straightaways with the exception of the very beginning and end of the ride. The ride consists mostly of constant twists and turns that require all of your attention.
TRAFFIC
These roads are only moderately traveled and are usually only frequented by locals who are familiar with them. You will usually just see other motorcyclists, sports cars, hot rods and the occasional commuter car who has gotten lost. Some of these roads are most frequented by pesky bicyclists and you will find them around every corner.
CAUTIONS
I wouldn’t recommend riding on these roads for at least a few days after it rains. Since there is significant tree cover causing less sun to hit the road surfaces accompanied by cooler temperatures, road drying takes longer than usual. Also, due to the surrounding sloped terrain and numerous pine trees there can be significant accumulations of dirt and pine needles. This is most apparent after heavy rain fall and winds.
One of my favorite rides but I usually cut it short at Claremont Ave. I find that Grizzly Peak past that point just has too many cars for my liking.
ReplyDeleteGreat write up!
Thanks for the comment. Its true, Grizzly Peak has too many slow motorists for my liking as well but if you go there on the right day and right time, the roads are awesome.
ReplyDeleteWhat I didnt add to my writeup was the different options riders have to connect to other, less travelled roads and avoid Grizzly Peak. There are quite a few. Maybe I will add this in a future blog.