The Climbing Lama: SF classics day three - Mt Diablo and Alpine Dam loop 1st September

This was my third and last full day in SF before I drove East. Instead of just heading straight to Fairfax for the planned Alpine dam loop over Mt Tamalpais, I first drove to Walnut Creek to ride Mount Diablo. Since I now only had to be in Bishop the following afternoon, I could fit in an extra climb.

North gate entrance station

Mount Diablo via North gate (17.54km 6%) is said to be the harder of the two climbs in this extremely popular SF park, even though they do share the top half. Other than a short descent right after the entrance gate, the climb wove nicely through small stands of trees on an otherwise grassy hillside.

Down low on Mount Diablo

Curves higher

Mostly a nice tempo climb; extra effort only required on the cruel last 200m ramp at 17%!

The mountain itself stands alone and is said to offer one of the biggest viewsheds in the Western United States on a clear winters day. On a hot Labour day long weekend not so good, though the San Francisco skyline and Mt Tamalpais where I headed next were still within sight.

I still had to get down. Great climb, not so great descent unfortunately. The speed limit is very heavily enforced and a ridiculous 15 mph for much of the top and only 25 mph the rest. Had to ride the brakes the whole descent to avoid a speeding fine! Would have made a fun flowing descent if you could let the bike roll a little.

Once I finally made it back to the car, next challenge was to drive to Fairfax. The Bay bridge was having its grand reopening next Tuesday, so the normally heavy traffic was funneled onto the bridge I was headed. Bumper to bumper traffic jam on a Sunday! Finally got to Fairfax, just was to be tight riding the loop with the remaining sunlight.

Near the bottom of Bolinas road

The Alpine dam loop is another amazingly scenic ride and it didn't take long to get away from the houses and into the trees again. Not a straight climb due to descents around Alpine dam and rollers once you hit Ridgecrest Boulevard.

Alpine dam

Road to Ridgecrest boulevard

Here finally huge vistas were possible down to Stinson Beach and along the coast; simply stunning!

Even the last stretch to Mt Tamalpais wasn't going to be easy, with some short steep ramps to the carpark. As much as I wanted to soak in the view, I had to keep riding. First down to Pantoll junction and further on down Highway one to Stinson beach.

View from Mt Tamalpais

Highway one continued pleasantly along the side of Bolinas Lagoon to the western side of Bolinas-Fairfax road West (7.1km 7%), the last climb I had to get over to make it back to the van. The afternoon light made for lovely photo opportunities and also signified I had to keep going.

Bolinas lagoon

View of Bolinas lagoon from low on the Fairfax Bolinas climb

I made it back to Fairfax with the sun skimming the hills behind; couldn't have timed it better!

Fairfax side of Alpine Dam

Pizza in Fairfax, then out onto I80 to Sacramento then I50 towards Markleeville. As much as I wanted to make it there that night, my eyelids were getting heavy. So at 11:30pm, I pulled of I50 just past Pollock Pines and set up the van. A solid 9 hours sleep followed!

Ride details:

Total: distance 112.93km 3254m elevation

Mt Diablo: distance 40.32km