Martinez to Sacramento Bike + Amtrak

EVENT IS ON. As of today (3/28/23), sunny skies and high of 61 is predicted for Davis, CA. MEET IN MARTINEZ AT 8:30. BART service is going to be interrupted this weekend between Rockridge and Orinda. See train instructions below.

Join me as we explore the regions beyond the bay, navigating our way to Old Town Sacramento. Our ride will pass through / along Benicia, Fairfield / Mankas Corner, Vacaville, Winters, Davis before finally winding up in Sacramento where we will return via Amtrak.

Because this is a long ride, with few services along the way, please no beginners. Intermediate riders with good fitness ok. This is not a difficult ride, just a long one.

Distance is 77 mi. from Martinez. Elevation gain is slightly less than 2,000 ft. The route is scenic and nice. Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31823254

Prior meetup event and pictures from 2021:
https://www.meetup.com/bikethebaycycists/events/270595903

Road conditions vary. In 2021, most of the asphalt was good. Some stretches, esp. east of downtown Davis, were rugged with some potholes. This year, I expect there will be debris on the road shoulder due to recent storms. Bring spare tubes and patch kits.

I expect everyone to maintain a ride pace of 10-13 mph, with short rest stops every 45-60 minutes. Because of the longer distance of this ride and the fact we are dependent on the train to get us back home, we will not have time wait for riders who have mechanical failure. Essentially, a flat tire is ok, and someone will hopefully be able to help you, but anything else, and you'll be on your own. Please be prepared to call a loved one for assistance if you get stuck or lost.

Our initial group will gather in the parking lot at MARTINEZ AMTRAK STATION AT 8:30 A.M. with planned roll-out by 8:45 a.m. For the morning journey to Martinez, you can drive and park for free at the station. There is also a San Joaquin Corridor train that departs Oakland Jack London Square at 7:36 a.m. It is a bike-friendly train, meaning you can roll your bike on board. I purchased my ticket for $8.

There are 3 return trains to consider from Sacramento: 4:55 p.m., 6:55 p.m. and 7:55 p.m. Note that your return to Jack London Square is approx. 2 hours later. I am planning on the 4:55 train, but if we are behind schedule, or everyone wants to stay longer for social time, I could be convinced to take the 6:55 p.m. return train.

Here is the Amtrak / capital corridor train schedule : https://images.capitolcorridor.org/trainschedule/Train_Schedules.pdf

I would like to try to ride as a group, more or less, until we get to the left turn onto Lyon Rd. at 35 mi. This is a good bail-out point for anyone needing to get back to Amtrak in Fairfield/Vacaville, 4 mi. away. There is also an Amtrak station in Davis, so if you are lagging or a problem occurs after Fairfield, you can return home using that.

Assuming we are maintaining a reasonable pace, there will be a lunch stop for the lead group in Winters for 30 minutes (bring your own food or there may be a burrito shop.) This would be an opportunity for slower riders to catch up some.

• What to bring
Tire width recommendation 25mm and above.
FACE MASK for trains, Clipper card, Credit Card or wallet, Water bottle, sunscreen, SPARE TUBE and patch kit, TIRE PUMP. FOOD (esp. protein / salty snacks / electroytes.) , roadside snacks. LIGHTS for potentially returning after dark. Potentially a HI-VIZ jacket. Your cycling computer, if you have one.

Please text me at 510-759-6646 with questions.