Marsh Valley Road to Brentwood

This Saturday took me on a route I have ridden before, well at least most of it. Basic route was Marsh Creek Road on the North side of Mt Diablo. Ride through the foothills out to the flats of Brentwood. Gorgeous rolling California hills with Mt Diablo rising to the South - once out in Brentwood, pretty much flat, ugly suburbs, but, that offers some flat lands to get some basic mileage in. Route is here.

Got on the road around 10:00, a bit late, but felt good to get out the door at a comfortable hour. It took about an hour to get really into the groove of the ride. First hill is significant, but not anything as bad as I remember from riding it in October. Guess I'm getting in better shape! Hills were super green and creeks were flowing, although not with raging water.

Plaque and my transport

Last time, I turned up Deer Valley Road - this time, I decided to go a bit further east, to the completion of Marsh Creek Road. And, I am glad I did! Discovered a really cool historical landmark with a plaque telling about Dr. Marsh, first doctor in California, who settled this area. Guess that is who the creek is named after.

Hot dogs!

Worked my way up Walnut Ave., which is interestingly, still lined with orchards, cherry I believe. A nice site to see in the suburban sprawl of Brentwood. Rode through Brentwood and stumbled onto a hotdog stand - thought I died and went to heaven - I LOVE hotdogs. Good dog, iced tea and some cookies for dessert. I noticed a few questionable stickers in the window, "Freedom does not come free" and another one, but didn't think much of them until I stepped away from the stand to take this picture. Notice the cross on top of the building - now it all fell into place. Interesting to me that the woman and the two teenage girls working with her (probably her daughters) were incredibly nice - very tempted to strike up a conversation and see where it went, but alas, gotta ride. I love stumbling onto stuff like this!

My ride continued out Lone Tree Way, way too many cars on that road, but it's tolerable. Then back to the countryside on Deer Valley Road. I was apprehensive about the ride back, knew I'd have wind in my face and 1000' of climbing, but it went faster and easier than I thought. Nice to see!

Ride Statistics

• Mileage: 50
• Time Riding: 4:00
• Avg Speed: 12.2
• Avg Cadence: 76
• Physical Feeling: Tired at the end, but not extremely so. No pain or bad aches. Did Ibuprofen before the ride, stretched and iced afterwards. Felt fantastic at the end, not too wiped out that evening and next day, all was fine. Minimal to no leg sensation and energy was good enough to do 25 min of rowing on Sunday.

Lucas Valley Road to Pt. Reyes Station

This ride was on Saturday May 8. Started on Lucas Valley Road, near Hwy 101. The route is here. A clear and windy day - somewhat apprehensive of the wind, which was out of the West, meaning in my face as I rode out to Pt. Reyes. But, apprehension not needed, the wind was a challenge, but not that bad. I'm a sailor, the wind is my friend.

The ride along Lucas Valley was serene and incredibly scenic. Green carpeted hills, blue sky, trees and few cars. Ideal riding conditions. The hill getting me up and over to the Nicasio side was significant - had to take a few rests, but did it fine. Great vistas from atop the hill! Nice downhill, into the redwoods and then, off to Nicasio on Nicaso Valley Rd. Short stop at the grocery store to take a bio break and rest a bit.

Looking E from atop the hill

Looking E from top of the hill

I love Nicasio - it's an incredibly small and old town, hard to believe it is just a hop away in Marin County. The church is always a treat, as is the school house. Once out of the town, the reservoir opens up to provide more incredible scenery. Look closely and you'll see the rough water the wind was working up. Wind in my face, but it was enjoyable!

Nicasio Church

Nicasio Reservoir

 The ride around the reservoir was super nice. Felt good, decent energy and soaking up the scenery. Making pretty good time to get to Pt. Reyes Station by lunch time. Just after the turn to head out to Pt. Reyes Station, I saw this boat in someone's yard - had to grab a picture!

Decent lunch in Pt. Reyes station at the I forget it's name cafe. Saw a group of ALC riders also having their lunch - must have been 20-30 of them. Nice to see. Rested about 45 minutes with my lunch, then headed off on my return. Nice climb back up Sir Frances Drake - a hill I have driven many times in the past and always commented on bikers pedaling hard to get up the hill - now I am one of the bikers! Overall, great ride back with the wind at my back for most of the ride. Picture below is atop the Lucas Valley Hill, on my return. Boulder pretty much marks the crest of the hill.

Crest on Lucas Valley Road

Date: 5/8  Saturday

Ride Statistics

• Time: 3:50
• Dist: 46.5
• Average Speed: 12
• Avg Cadence: 75
• Feeling: Good overall. No aches or pains, decent energy. Some lower back pain on left side, usual, but walking it out helped alot. Ibuprofen in the morning, ice afterwards. Felt fine next day.

Tiburon Loop and Belvedere

What a day! First very warm weather of the year - great excuse to take my hubby Ross and close friend Steve out for a ride. No more beautiful place to ride than the Tiburon Loop. Route is here.

We met up with some of Steve's coworkers in Larkspur, rode the usual loop, with no wind and 75 luscious degrees of warmth. A nice stop at Cafe Acri for some pastries and then, over to Belvedere for some incredible views of the bay and San Francisco. This was the first ride for Ross in many months and he did super - a new ride for Steve, he had never ridden here and, it was a treat to experience it through his 'virgin' eyes.

Ross and Steve

Ride Statistics

• Distance: 22 miles
• Time Ridden: 1:50