Mt. Diablo - New Years Day 01/01/14

Mt. Diablo - New Years Day 01/01/14

Meet at Blackhawk Lacrosse Field parking lot: 2985 Blackhawk Road, Blackhawk, CA

Roll-Out/Start Time: Be ready to ride at 10 AM.

Mileage: ~26 miles round trip

Climbing: 3,800'- 4,000'. Grades on the mountain are generally about 5.5-6.5% with a short (~200 yards), steep (~15%) section at the very end of the climb.

Description: This is a very popular ride for cyclists on New Years Day. Part pilgrimage, part celebration. We'll ride South Gate to the Ranger Station at the junction with North Gate and take a short break before riding the rest of the way to the summit. The 10-mile climb is a "workout" and the return downhill is fast and exhilarating. In the winter it can get pretty cold at the summit (last year it was 28 degrees around noontime) so being prepared is important--it isn't usually THAT cold though. There is a visitor center at the summit that sells Gatorade and munchies. The panoramic view at the summit is fantastic.

Paul and I rode this last New Years' Day on our trikes--we saw only three other recumbents that day--one tandem trike, one tandem bicycle and one velomobile...

Mt. Diablo Brochure: http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/517/files/mtDiabloBrochure.pdf