Since the group looks like it will be about twice as big as I had originally anticipated, I would like to change the lunch plans. I had originally hoped to go to one of my favorite Chinese restaurants in Pleasanton, but they'll have a hard time dealing with such a large group. Instead, I propose that we have lunch at In-N-Out, which is at the starting point of the ride (so it should be easy to find). They have quite a few outside tables that we could take over and they seem to welcome street rods and motorcycles.
Secondly, I want to make sure everyone is dressed properly for the ride. This has not been a problem in the past, but everyone should have decent helmet, jacket, gloves and boots. We haven't made a big deal about riding pants in the past, so we'll let that slide (and hope nobody without them does any sliding
).
And don't forget to bring $4.00 for the park entrance fee. We won't be able to make change for a bunch of $20.00 bills.
Be at Cycle Gear in Pleasanton by 9:00. We can talk bikes and things for about 15 minutes, then I want a 5-minute riders meeting to discuss the route. Then we're off. Plan to spend at least 30 minutes at the top of Mt. Diablo. That should be enough time to either go through the vistors center or climb on top of it and have a look at the entire Bay Area and Central Valley.
For those who don't know how to get to Cycle Gear, going east-bound on 580, take the Hopyard exit (exit ramp starts way early, just after crossing 680), turn right at the first light, right at the next light, and right at the first stop sign. In other words, turn right at every traffic control device. You'll see In-N-Out in front of you as you're turning and Cycle gear will be back and to the right.
Be sure to top off before showing up. There are two gas stations on the corner of Hopyard and Owens, at the first light. The Shell station is easier to get to Cycle Gear from than the Chevron station.
The total ride is almost exactly 100 miles, and there won't be any other gas stations after the short section through Concord. I didn't plan any other stops besides the top of Mt. Diablo, except to regroup at a few critical turns.
I'm thinking we might want someone like Cesar to be the turn director, riding with the first group until we get to a critical turn, then pointing which way to go until the final sweeper sees which way to go. Then zooming ahead to catch back up with the first group until the next turn (you know you like doing things like that, Cesar). That would probably be better than attempting to get the whole group to wait. Alternatively, we could have several volunteers who will stay back until the next group shows up, then catch back up with their group. I'm not so concerned with the later groups being too slow as with some getting stuck at lights and ending up a minute or two back.
If you look at the map at:
http://www.sfbmha.com/rides/EB/PMtDi...MtDiablo01.htm, there are only a few turns that might be tricky. First off, rather than go [1] to [2], we'll cross 580 on Hopyard and go east on Dublin Blvd to Tassajara. Much less chance of losing anyone that way. Turn [4], from Tassajara to Blackhawk Rd, is simple enough, but we don't want anyone missing it. Turn [5] into the park is the easiest to miss if you haven't been there. We'll need to regroup there. Turn [8] isn't really a turn, just veering right, but turn [9] at Ygnacio Valley is another critical one. The turn onto Clayton Rd. isn't marked on the SFBMHA map, but is the other critical turn. If everyone can just remember "Ygnacio" and "Clayton", there should be no problems. Turn [10] onto Vasco is another critical turn, but it's the only traffic signal since Concord, so it's easy. The only other real concern is turn [11] at Dalton, which is easy to miss if you're not familiar with the area. I expect to wait there until the entire group arrives before continuing, since there is a lot of space there and not too much traffic. We can then make our final leg through Highland Road and out Collier Canyon. We can then take the freeway back to Hopyard and lunch.
I probably should have some little cards made up with the critical turns:
Dublin Blvd east
Tassajara north
Blackhawk Rd north
Mt. Diablo Scenic Blvd north
Summit Rd east
Oak Grove north
Ygnacio Valley north east
Clayton Rd east
Vasco Rd south
Dalton Ave west
Collier Canyon south
N Canyons to Airway to 680 to Hopyard
There! Nobody could possibly get lost now. 8)
Notes on Mt. Diablo ride
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