mount diablo loop

this ride started at the pleasant hill bart station. most rides start from home, but as of now there's no way to bike across the bay bridge! unfortunately pat had some trouble with a broken spoke, but we got it all worked out. we climbed up to the summit of mount diablo (iron horse trail - contra costa canal - northgate road) and then descended southgate road to danville, and back to the iron horse trail where it rained all the way back to the bart station. awesome paved paths out there in the east bay! southgate road was an awesome way to bail-down diablo. we even saw some coyotes in rock city on the way down!

mount diablo from pleasant hill bart station

on mount diablo, you get what you pay for. you're either climbing-up or bailing-down. there's no "lost elevation" on the way up.. a 3,800 ft. climb to the top is really a 3,800 ft. climb. not true for other mountains in the area.. you're up a little, down a little, up a little down a little, and on and on.

i was shocked at how easy the climb was. we took northgate rd all the way up to the peak. next time i want to check out rock city and southgate. i must say the bailing is magnificent on diablo.. just keeps going and going and you needn't brake on many of the turns. can't wait for next time.. these roads just get better and better as you learn their winding ways.


Total Distance: 55.76 km (34.6 mi)
Total Time: 5:02:53
Moving Time: 2:58:23
Average Speed: 11.05 km/h (6.9 mi/h)
Average Moving Speed: 18.76 km/h (11.7 mi/h)
Max Speed: 70.49 km/h (43.8 mi/h)
Min Elevation: -9 m (-30 ft)
Max Elevation: 1150 m (3773 ft)
Elevation Gain: 1284 m (4213 ft)
Max Grade: 11 %
Min Grade: -13 %
Recorded: Mon Oct 05 07:30:38 PDT 2009