Where to Ride in/from East Bay?

[remy]

I don't really like wildcat but in the same area, if you want a longer alternate:
Take Bear Creek from SPDR.
Turn right on Alhambra Valley. Take it to Alhambra.
Left on Alhambra.
Left on Franklin Canyon.
Right on McEwen. Be careful.
Left on Carquinez Scenic. Enjoy the views.
Left on Crockett Blvd. Watch the S turn.
Go either way on Cummings Skyway, to either 4 west or 80 west. Take 80 W to Pinole Valley.
Exit Pinole Valley. Take until it turns into Alhambra Valley again.
Right on Castro Ranch.
Back to SPDR. Left.
That's my hour-to-kill loop.

Wildcat can definitely be crowded if you don't leave really early in the morning. It's also pretty bumpy. I'll probably give your route a try next time I go out. On Sunday I did the loop I just described in order to break in my new 1-piece leathers.

[remy]

At this point, can't get enough  [moto] so any other ideas for great rides in this area, let me know!
Nick

Now that it sounds like you have a couple of options I would suggest doing them a number of times to get used to them before trying too many new routes.

[ducnymph]

Everybody's suggestions sound good as far as routes go!

Just a word of warning in case you want to venture farther in the east bay, I recently found out Mines in Livermore as well as Marsh Creek in Clayton are being repaved.  Mines is not good for a new rider anyway, but in the future once it's repaved and with some more time under your belt it's tons of fun *my opinion* (as long as you're not a speed demon and don't mind back to back blind turns). Marsh Creek is cool for a new rider -- it has some good twists, not many blind turns and little bit of elevation change-- and the other day I tried to ride it and was sad to find that it's got tons of gravel from being newly paved. Both of these roads will be fun again when the gravel is swept away.

Moral of story: Gravel sucks! East Bay roads can sometimes have a lot of gravel/ are often repaved in the summer. If you can, try to check road conditions before going to a new road in the East Bay. I'm going to from now on! Once Marsh Creek is cleaned up that's a nice ride going out of Concord. You should def check that out once it's cleaned up 

[DucNrun]

I just rode Marsh Creek today from Clayton to the Sheriff's range.  It's still full of gravel.  They're chip-sealing Morgan Territory too and they've got traffic all fouled up on that road.  My advice?  Stay clear of these roads until the next good rain has come and gone.

[TCK!]

Has Morgan Territory ever been ride-able? That rode plain sucked when Vinnie forced me to take it

[obeedobe]

Now that it sounds like you have a couple of options I would suggest doing them a number of times to get used to them before trying too many new routes.

Too right! Plenty of options for me at this point. Probably heading back to Redwood Rd. later today! Thanks all!

[B.Rock]

Wildcat can definitely be crowded if you don't leave really early in the morning. It's also pretty bumpy. I'll probably give your route a try next time I go out. On Sunday I did the loop I just described in order to break in my new 1-piece leathers.

For whatever reason, coming down wildcat just makes me uncomfortable. Too steep and slow and weird intersections. It was better on the monster than the 851, and this being a monster board I suppose that's appropriate, but it still always made me nervous.
It is very pretty though.

Marsh Creek has too much traffic for me. Too many hyper-commuting east county drivers, I guess.

Also, if you want a tight road, you can go over to Mt Diablo and ride that. It's like $3 (?) but actually really pretty fun. Come in off Diablo and go out Northgate. Very pretty.

[DucSteve]

I love wildcat, especially once i had my suspension setup.  both uphill and downhill are fun for me 

[obeedobe]

You're not far from Marin either:
http://tinyurl.com/2gw9n6

The Local Resources thread also has some good ride routes linked.

ANd hey, post up and propose a ride! We're happy to show you the roads  And we won't flame you here...this isn't BARF 

Just wanted to say thanks. Have tried this route twice now, once in each direction.  The high speed curves are awesome!    Great views/vistas, easy to get to.  Excellent recommendation.    Will definitely keep this one on my short list.

Nick

[obeedobe]

My and my partner's regular route is Wildcat Canyon Road to San Pablo Dam Road to Castro Ranch Road to Alhambra Valley Road to Bear Creek Road back to Wildcat Canyon.

http://tinyurl.com/684kgo

This is a great loop in both directions.  Thanks!! 

Nick