Mellow Pre-Game River Ride 2/6. Northbay

Looks like there are some other pre-game rides going on Sunday, but I don't want to go into or beyond the City! So I'm gonna do something like this, leaving around 10am or sooner. Going up as far as the Bogle winery. Would be fun to have one or two other Barfers along, holler if interested!

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EDIT: Route above was updated, and comments added below.

Point B on the map is the meetup location, Starbucks at 1536A Kirker Pass Road. Departure time from there will be 10:30 am.

Note there is a toll booth at the bridge on 160 shortly after leaving Hwy 4, you'll want to have easy access to the cash for that.

At Hwy 12 we'll turn left, cross the river, then make an immediate right on River Road.

Point C is a ferry crossing. Let's make that a gathering place, make sure we are all together before getting on the ferry.

We'll also stop at point D, the Bogle winery. Pretty good cheap wines, you might want to pick up a bottle or two. Point E is Mel's Mocha & Ice Cream in Walnut Grove, we'll stop there too; looks like there are plenty of parking spaces on the right side of the road across the street.

Point F is a pull-off on the right with lots of parking and will be our last chance to stop and say good-byes before going our separate ways. I'll be taking Hwy 12 back to Fairfield, and others will surely be going back down 160.

Click the Google logo in the map above to get detailed directions. You should print them out and be able to find your way to the next meetup spot if we get separated!

This looks like fun - I have been wanting to explore the roads in the delta more. Maybe meet up somewhere on your way on the way...like on the hwy 680 to hwy 4 leg of the journey? I still need to confirm I can make it.

Absolutely, suggest a meeting spot and we'll make it work. Maybe near Concord? If you'd like to make it an earlier breakfast meeting that's fine too.

Hmmm...sounds interesting! Rob, where in Pleasant Hill are you at? I'm near the Walnut Creek Bart station right off of 680. Rodr, how long of a ride would this be exactly?

As currently mapped (Fairfield to Fairfield) it's just about 4 hours plus stopping time, so I figure about 5 hours for me. Game kickoff will be around 3:30 so that's why I want to be on the road by 10am or sooner.

Wouldn't be unreasonable to meet closer to Pleasant Hill or Walnut Creek and take Kirker Pass Road over the hills to 4.

I might be down. Where would you be willing to meet up around Pleasant Hill/Walnut Creek area?

OK let's try Starbucks at 1536A Kirker Pass Road, which is Point B in the map above. I have updated my first post and added comments accordingly.

This meeting spot skips the most boring part of my ride, and marks the beginning of the good stuff. Departure time from there is 10:30.

How's that sound?

I am for the ride. I live near Contra Costa Blvd in P-Hill...near the moto-poser Starbucks.

I am fine meeting on Kirker Pass, but Rod that is adding a good 30 min or so to your trip. If you want to shorten it up, I'll pick a place near 242 and 680 in Pleasant Hill, then then there is more slab in the trip.

I'll be at the Kirker Pass location at 10:30 unless I hear otherwise!

Hey, difference for me between the Kirker Pass route vs. taking 680 to 4 to 160 is just 17 minutes according to Google, so no big deal, and it gets a few more hills in the ride.

So I guess we have a plan -- see you there!

Sounds great! I'll see you guys at point B, Starbucks at 1536A Kirker Pass Road.
Can we use Fastrak at the toll, or cash only?

Yep, looks like the left and center lanes are Fastrak:

http://www.bayareafastrak.org/static/facilities/antioch.shtml

I have an account also so will blow through it and then wait if necessary.

This warm weather is messing with my head! Wishful thinking...thought the ride is this morning...can't wait for tomorrow! There might be 1 other rider coming along with me.

JacekPSUr1 said:

This warm weather is messing with my head! Wishful thinking...thought the ride is this morning...can't wait for tomorrow! There might be 1 other rider coming along with me.

Click to expand...

I guess you could do it today also!

Wow it's 75 in Fairfield right now. And my wife has me replacing a garbage disposer.

Looking forward to meeting you guys!

Garbage disposer installation completed, so the wife will be happy to see me go tomorrow.

By the way if we get to the ferry and it happens to be broken down (happened to me once), then we'll take this route to the winery:

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HEY RODR - WAIT WHAT !!!! You're not stopping at "Al the Wop's" in Locke (Walnut Grove) or "Fosters Bighorn" in Rio Vista??? That's BLASPHEMY!!!

http://www.locketown.com/als.htm
http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/16fjup83fOdvt7ErDg6miQ?select=m_WehIZYVTqG619PliTpPQ

Might have to join ya on this one as Connie's Noob ride just might be a little too congested and I just got back from doing Redwood about an hour ago. So I got my "fix".

I'll leave Pleasanton at 9AM and shoot up 680 to Ygnacio Valley Rd to Kirker Pass Rd and hook up with you at *$ near the Safeway.

I don't have "fast-track" so I'll have to stop/pay at the bridge.

Hey great, looking forward to seeing you!

I'm happy to make more or different stops. We can discuss at the winery or whatever. Also we haven't talked about a lunch spot, I think there's a little place in Clarksburg called the Dinky Diner that may or may not be open. The winery has picnic tables and might also have food. The places you mention are also great possibilities.

FLH03RIDER said:

I'll leave Pleasanton at 9AM and shoot up 680 to Ygnacio Valley Rd to Kirker Pass Rd and hook up with you at *$ near the Safeway.

Click to expand...

Do you mean 10am? We leave the *$ at 10:30.

Hi Rod,

Well, leave the house at 9, get gas, etc... Don't mind "chillin", rather be a little early than late.

Bruce

Oh it just registered that you said you're coming from Pleasanton, not Pleasant Hill!

Makes more sense now.

Hi rodr,
Your River Run looks very inviting..,am getting up early for this ride. See you @ *$ point"B".