Road Cycling Routes
One of the things I seem to be constantly searching for is the best cycling route while I'm in a new place. As a road cyclist, the challenge is finding a road that cars won't run you over on (at least lower risk), but yet is in good shape and scenic.
Usually this requires searching google or talking to the local bike shop. Both are a tossup, usually the local bike shop is best, but it depends who you get behind the counter. I also will search Strava heat maps which shows you where people are riding. You may end up riding someones commute home for work, or a decent ride.
If I know someone that has ridden that location before, I'll make one of there rides into a Garmin Course. This really is the best, it allows you to have turn by turn directions, see the elevation and know exactly what you are in for.
I plan on adding road ride write ups at a later date, but for now, here is one that takes you from Castro Valley to Mt. Diablo and loops you back to the start through Walnut Creek. It does take you through Crow Canyon, which can be very dangerous during commute hours. However a weekend early morning, I find the road to be quit and fairly peaceful. You still want to be alert, but it's doable. Coming Some of the roads as you enter Walnut Creek will take you right through the town and a lunch stop at Chipotle is built it. Otherwise you can skip the detour and keep going. The route starts at Proctor Elementary school, which is a nice meet up spot and has parking.