Sunday, March 4, 2012

Vallejo to San Ramon Metric Century and more



I decided to make a big trip for a Sunday ride.  I have not been out to the inland wast bay in a while.  I juts think its more congested and you have to dodge more cars as compared to riding to Napa or Fairfield. It was the typical route from Vallejo to Martinez through the bridge and onto Shell Ave.  I took the Iron Horse Trail from the north entrance in Concord to the south end of Walnut Creek.  I knew from past rides that the Iron Horse gets congested in the Danville/San Ramon area.  It gets kind of crazy when you have little kids on bikes and other adults that weave through the foot traffic.  So never again will I take the Iron Horse through that segment.  I took Danville Blvd. which was free to cruise at 18-20mph.  There were a lot of cyclists out going the opposite way.  I made it to downtown Danville and cruised the area.  I wasn't really sure when I wanted to stop and turn around.  I made my way to San Ramon and felt it was a good time to head back.  I did not stop anywhere and eat/refuel because I did bring a lot of snacks with me.  I also had a second full bottle and figured I would just stop in Walnut Creek where I am more familiar with local stops.  I headed back up north and really felt the heat.  I made a quick stop in Walnut Creek for water and headed back to Vallejo.  The wind picked up and it cooled down when I got to Martinez.  That felt good on the body.  I finished in Vallejo in the mid afternoon.  This ride felt pretty flat except for the Benicia Bridge and medium sized hills San Ramon.  I would ride this route again just to build my base miles.