Well, that was impressive. Where to ride? Last week I did a Coe Tree removal ride and the Tour Of SF Hills with some extra climbs. This week I thought I would go north. Farther than I had ever ventured from home. I never had climbed Mount Diablo. That somehow didn't seem right. As I took my Thursday & Friday run at Rancho San Antonio, I caught a great view of Mount Diablo. I have been putting together a route all week so that sight was imposing. I'm going to ride and conquer that behemoth. The route I was putting together had me riding Pruneridge all the way to Morrill then Piedmont and Calaveras to Tasajera to Blackhawk and up to the top of Mt. Diablo. But I was having trouble on the route back. I didn't want to retrace my tracks. I decided on a bridge and into Palo Alto and home Foothill Expressway. I was skeptical and didn't plot it from Mt. Diablo until Friday. Just looking around on the roads it seemed dicey. Crow Canyon Road, yes, but all city after that until Marsh Creek Road. So I finally did plot it out. 65 miles to the top of Mt. Diablo and 66 miles back via Dumbarton Bridge. That's a 200K. Well, so be it. Not like I haven't done it before. I woke up in the morning and it was cold. The kind of cold that keeps you in bed 2 more hours. I resisted the urge. Up. I climbed into the shower and warmed up. Then, a breakfast of cold cereal and a banana. After a quick read of the paper, I started the gps and rode out east. The ride though suburbia was OK and patiently waited at all the lights. Going past the Flea Market on Berryessa I couldn't help but wonder how something so crappy still existed. I used to go when I was younger and it was bad then. A left on Morrill and a right on Hostettler and a left on Piedmont then it was up Caleveras Road. I was a bit uneasy about this climb since last I road it it was very fast and I knew it would be steep. I was also worried that it would slow me down. That it did but soon it was over. I had seen a couple of fellow road bikers and asked where they were off to. They said not far. I let loose that I was on my way to Mt. Diablo. They were duly impressed. That felt good. Calaveras Road, by the reservoir. I knew I would always love this road when I drove it long ago in my car. So beautiful. Great fall colours, sheer cliffs and curvy roads. Fun both ways. Soon I was passing Welch Creek Road. I remember every pedal stroke of that burn. Very satisfying climb. I passed Sunol and road out on Sunol-Pleasanton Road. More cool views. I like that road. Then it turned to city turned into Sunol Road. Soon I was cruising down Main Street, Pleasanton. I'd been here before. One of the great downtowns. Great look, good food and good assortment of people enjoying a leisurely stroll. That turned into Santa Rita Road then Tasajara Road. It got really rural after the turn at Fallon Road. As I was riding I was just average speed, maybe slow. A giant group of riders swept by. I decided to join the pace line. I waited. Then took off. A blonde girl was in front of me and she just got dropped. I was following her but soon decided to pass her and try to catch the pace line. She hung on to my pace and we both kept the group in view. I pulled most of the way with her occasionally spelling me. Soon we caught up. She said, "Thanks dood!" and I said, no problem, casually. I got some other compliments. Seeing that I was able to catch up after seemingly floundering when they passed was pretty satisfying. I left the group to make a right at the posh Blackhawk Road. Pretty area made me wish I had my camera. The fall colors were majestic. Then, a right on Mount Diablo Scenic Drive. Neighborhoods still but it was climbing more. I knew I was getting close. Soon I was on South Gate Road. Not really intense climbing yet but getting there. Some sections were downhill and then hit the pay gate which I bypassed. I finally came to Summit Road. That is where it got fairly consistant on the climbing. Quite a good climb. It had been a long time since I had been up here. I drove before, visiting the summit and many mountain bike rides. It jogged some memories. I liked the wide open views. Out in the sun. Since it was a colder day (can I really complain?) the sun felt nice. After the struggle, and the pain of a few riders passing me and getting away, I finally climbed the last bit to the top. That was tough in itself! I had talked a bit with a few other riders asking where they came from, etc. then trumping them with my start in Sunnyvale. Gasps. Women weeping. Mostly people crying real tears in sheer amazement! Then I went to transfer water from one bottle to another and I dropped it over the edge and had to get it. Damn. I rode down, taking it easy. A fast, fast road. Pretty enjoyable. Then at Crow Canyon Road. Crow Canyon Road was a struggle. I was tired. It went on for 12 miles. It got really rural and there was a good downhill that cheered me up. I turned on A Street and went through town. I stopped for food. I was hoping for a slice of pizza but I couldn't wait the 5 or 6 minutes it would take to cook. So I bought some tiger's milk bars. There is nothing like riding 80 miles to be rewarded with biting into chewy bricks. My teeth hurt bad but I had to eat. And I bought 2 of these! They tasted good but damn did they hurt. I also bought a Betty Crocker brownie. That was better. Nice and soft. I ate these while riding. I had to move, man. Hesperian to Paseo Padre Parkway was a struggle. Many lights. I couldn't seem to ride at a satisfying speed. I suppose I was tired. Still, I have to get better at gutting it out. That's what it is about. Out in the middle of somewhere far, far from home pedaling, pedaling, pedaling. Go forward. Soon I made the turn on Paseo Padre Parkway. Then I was making the right on Marshlands Road. Headwind city. And not letting up. The road surface is horrible and there were a surprising amount of cars tooling down the road winging past me and pissing me off. I suppose I was tired. I was then riding over the bridge. Up, and up and then over water. It hurt. But it didn't take too long and I was turning on Willow Road. I stopped in for a burrito at Mi Caramba or something like that. The burrito ended up being tepid at best. The cashier asked how far I was going and I told him 130 miles. He was duly impressed. He said he road also and we regaled at the joys of biking and why others just drove cars. I ate then rode out on Willow Road. Then Middlefield then a quick right on Palo Alto Avenue. Very cool neighborhood and I had my light on as it was getting dark. A right on Alma then Sand Hill Road. Familiar territory. Junipero Serra and Foothill to Homestead. Seemed a long bit but really not too bad time wise. Home by 6:30pm. Seemed later. I have to get used to winter all over again. Great ride. Another climb checked off the list.