Ring Around the Bay – We’re Still Waiting

What would it take to put in a simple bridge at the end of Fremont Blvd? Imagine the possibilities.

Yesterday I ventured into uncharted territory through Newark and Fremont in the quest to see how we’re doing with the “Ring Around the Bay.”

The 400-mile Ring Around the Bay, or the Bay Trail, is supposed to be a recreation path encompassing the entire nine-county San Francisco Bay. It was enacted into law — sponsored by Bill Lockyer — back in 1987, called Senate Bill 100. We’re getting there, but at a snail’s pace.

Regardless of the politics, wrangling over land owned by Cargill, and funding, it would seem we could make some simple improvements at almost no cost to keep things moving.

Case in point: A temporary bridge over a narrow waterway would do wonders for anyone riding a bike through Fremont near Coyote Creek. At the end of Fremont Boulevard a bridge could be added (or even a wooden plank!), allowing access to Dixon Landing Road and then the northernmost reach of Coyote Creek Trail.

Even better would be access from Cushing Parkway south, but that’s probably too much to ask at this time.

Instead, cyclists have to ride the Warren Avenue 880 overpass and then take Kato Road, which gets my award as “Worst Road in the San Francisco Bay Area.” That honor used to belong to Evelyn Avenue in Mountain View/Sunnyvale, but it was repaved years ago.

If I were the CEO of Solyndra and other technology companies nearby, I’d be all over the city of Fremont to get this road fixed, and I might even offer to pay some of the costs. It’s an embarrassment to have customers visiting a solar technology leader located on a third-world road. The good news is the city put the repair out to bid in August.

As expected, Newark and Fremont don’t have much to offer in the way of scenery where I rode, all the more reason why bayside trails would be a public asset here. A controlled burn out on the bay that day didn’t help matters.

I hope there really is a bridge here now, and it just doesn’t show up on Google maps, but I doubt it. Now let the excuses begin.

A controlled burn in Newark as viewed from Boyce Road. Lovely.

Eau de Cologne Tour of San Jose

North San Jose is home to public infrastructure

It’s hard to believe there is a bike ride in San Jose that goes 20 miles and sees little traffic. Even better, it passes by two of the city’s most vital public works – the sewage plant (water pollution control plant) and the garbage dump (sanitary landfill) on Zanker/Los Esteros Road.

I call this route the Eau de Cologne Tour of San Jose (map). You get to see Alviso, one of my favorite out-of-the-way South Bay excursions, which has somehow avoided the gung-ho Silicon Valley lifestyle. Oh, there’s also the Calpine natural-gas-fired power plant where sheep and goats are seen grazing.

The key to avoiding cars is the creek paths of San Tomas Aquino, Coyote Creek, and Guadalupe River. San Tomas is paved, but Coyote Creek and Guadalupe on this route are not. Los Esteros Road out by the Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge sees little traffic.

While this area is constantly changing, the creek paths are here to stay and will only get better with time (paving). In the past week a large tract has begun development off Orchard Parkway. Let’s hope the Guadalupe River path was incorporated in the planning.

Progress has its price. The homeless man’s wood and tarp shack next to the development area was torn down. I only saw him once during my many rides past his encampment.

It was great to see the San Jose airport car rental area north of the airport shut down and moved. It made cycling across the narrow river bridge to Ewert Road a real pain. That’s what I call progress.

Mt. Hamilton Has a Darker Side

One of my favorite routes in Bay Area Bike Rides is the 102-mile Mt. Hamilton ride. This is my 30th year of doing this route; I’ve done it three times in 2010, probably 40-50 times in all.

Yesterday I did something I had never done before – and do not recommend – and that’s ride the route clockwise. It doesn’t take a Roads Scholar to know why it’s something I’ve avoided doing.

The backside of Mt. Hamilton is steep, unlike the San Jose side. It has a section of 4.4 miles that varies between 11-15 percent. I counted my blessings as I reached the summit and reminded myself that while I had done it, it would probably be my last.

That’s too bad because I otherwise enjoyed this direction more than the route in my book.

Of course, I put that route in not because I expect everyone to do the ride, but because it covers some great bike riding. You can pick a section that interests you and ride that part. Many riders go to the summit from San Jose and return.

One change to my route I recommend is to avoid Livermore streets entirely by taking the Arroyo Mocho Recreation Path. It goes from Murrieta Blvd. at Stanley Blvd. to S. Livermore Ave. The path offers a riparian habitat next to the Arroyo Mocho Creek, fed by Del Valle Reservoir.

Eventful Rides on Dumbarton Bridge

Gebhard Ebenhoech rides over Dumbarton Bridge, while looking forward to opening a new bike shop

My ride had a purpose on this weekday in Silicon Valley. When most were driving to work, I was out riding, meeting an acquaintance from the bike shop days.

Gebhard Ebenhoech has been a cyclist and bike shop owner most his life, starting in retail at age 13. His life (and mine) has been a rollercoaster of late. After a few dips, he’s climbing back and will manage a pro shop opening in Redwood City (more to come).

As we traded stories, it was more about Silicon Valley than about bikes. He knows as many techies as I do. But I’m not surprised. Many techies are cyclists too. The two go together, like wine and baguettes.

Under gray skies, I suggested we ride over Dumbarton Bridge and avoid the rain. We made our way east through Palo Alto and before we knew it we were riding over the bridge, which has a separated bike lane.

Once again, I broke a front brake cable, only this time it was not a disaster. I stopped and moved my rear cable to the front brake. Note to self — change cables annually.

Along the way on the Hwy 84 frontage road, I told Gebhard about my chance encounter with a cyclist here one day in late 1982. We struck up a conversation and before I knew it he was inviting me to his office at Xerox PARC (Palo Alto Research Center). I think you know where this is going.

The cyclist showed me his computer. “This is a mouse,” he said. He proceeded to show me the intuitive user interface. “We’ll all be working this way one day,” he said enthusiastically.

Yes, because Steve Jobs saw the same demonstration in 1979 and the rest was history. The Apple Macintosh (and Lisa) was born. I would buy an Apple IIe and later a Macintosh SE, which was the genesis for Bay Area Bike Rides, thanks to MacDraw.

A Mt. Hamilton Ride of Olympic Caliber

We stopped for some food in Livermore on the Mt. Hamilton ride.

April 29, 1984

Riders: Jobst Brandt, Eric Heiden, Tom Ritchey, Steve Potts, Ted Mock
Route: Milpitas, over Mt. Hamilton to Livermore, Hwy 84, Calaveras Road.

What would have been just another Mt. Hamilton ride turned into a star-studded affair with the arrival of speedskater Eric Heiden (winner of 5 gold medals at the 1980 winter Olympics) at the summit. Eric drove up the mountain with his grandparents, who were visiting from Wisconsin. He had to attend a bike function in Santa Clara Valley and was unable to start the ride with the Jobst riders.

Tom said he was out of shape, having spent 10 days in Japan arranging for products to be made, including a mountain bike tire he designed. Steve Potts, a mountain biker and frame builder from Marin County, was visiting Tom.

Ted made a rare appearance. He just moved his photography shop across the street from Palo Alto Bicycles, having taken over another photographer’s business. Ted was going to visit friends in Danville, so he would turn off at Livermore and take Tassajara Road.

As was typical with Jobst rides, the climb had its moments when people went off the front and made others suffer trying to keep up. As always, Jobst’s eagle eyes started spotting birds, this time a Lazuli Bunting. At first, I thought it was a bluebird, but Jobst corrected me. Along the way, I looked for cracks in the road after the recent 6.2 magnitude earthquake in nearby Morgan Hill, but none were found.

At the summit (4,200 feet), Eric passed us and tooted his horn. Jobst and I raced to the top and, like a fool, I tried a 52-17 combination, but couldn’t push such a big gear. Leave the big gears to Jobst.

Eric changed into his cycling clothes as Jobst and I talked with Eric’s grandfather, who lives in Wisconsin and said he was a hockey coach at one time. They live on a lake and this past winter they had 200 inches of snow. They couldn’t get over the beauty of Santa Clara Valley and Mt. Hamilton.

Jobst went on about the problems he had with painting distance-to-go markers for the Mt. Hamilton road race. The sheriff painted over Jobst’s handiwork. This year Jobst said he would fool the sheriff and paint the markers the day of the race.

On the descent, Jobst led us down the steep side. We regrouped and rode together to San Antonio Junction store. Jobst spotted a Horned Lark, Western Kingbird, Lewis’s Woodpecker, and a Roadrunner. Wildflowers covered San Antonio Valley, but not as much as two springs ago when we had heavy rains.

We had our usual bite to eat at the store and rubbed shoulders with the motorcycle crowd.

On the first climb after leaving the store, Jobst, Ted, and Eric blasted off the front, but slowed down on the second climb –- the Double S — so I could catch up. On Mines Road we had the usual headwind.

Just before reaching Livermore, Eric had a front tubular flat [Jobst quit using sewups around 1981]. A rider caught up to us a joined our group into town.

In Livermore, we stopped at Safeway for food. We then headed west on Highway 84 [we quit taking that route around 1986]. We had a nice ride up Calaveras Road in the late afternoon, enjoying the green valleys and hills sprinkled with yellow and orange California poppies.

Back in Milpitas, we loaded our bikes into our cars and headed home, 102 miles, and 8,600 feet of climbing, behind us.

Nasty Reservoir Bypass Now a Memory

After an endless closure, the Lexington Reservoir paved trail is open again.

After two years of being denied the use of the paved Los Gatos Creek Trail up the face of Lexington Reservoir (14 percent), it is now open! I can’t tell you what a pain it was having to ride up (and down) the trail alongside the Lenihan Dam spillway. The gravel road has a steady grade of at least 20 percent. That test of lungs and legs is no fun, even for the young and strong.

The Santa Clara Valley Water District, whose website is seemingly always down, explains why the trail had to be closed for construction of a water diversion tunnel. Let’s hope we’ve seen the end of Los Gatos Creek trail closures.

While I enjoy riding on the trail, there’s one nasty steep spot remaining. Clearly, the South Pacific Coast route followed a gentler grade as it climbed through the canyon.  It crossed the creek on a trestle about where the steep spot is located.

Where was Rails to Trails when we needed them? If we had that route to Santa Cruz today, it would be one of the most spectacular trails in all of California. I mapped the route and have photos of the tunnel entrances, blasted shut by the U.S. Army in 1942.

Happy Trails.

Can You Take the Heat?

Already fried at the Mt. Hamilton summit in 1987. Ted Mock, Jim Westby, Joanne Klebe.

As we finish the last hot days of the year, I’m reminded of a Mt. Hamilton ride during the 1980s when a little heat didn’t slow us down. We rode in 105 degree temperatures, all day. Our route took us to the back side of Mt. Hamilton, Livermore, and back to our start in Milpitas via Calaveras Road — 102 miles.

I’m amazed we did it as I look back on it. We could just as easily have turned back at the summit.

It occurred to me that I could use our Misty Mate on hot rides. These hand-operated water pumps put out a satisfying mist spray. They would be perfect for a bike ride. I’ve used them on hot days around the house, but never on a bike ride. I’ll try it out and let you know how it works − next year. We’ve probably seen the last of the hot days in the San Francisco Bay Area.

I Stop for Silver

Not bad for a day's ride.

Our city streets may not be lined with gold, but there’s plenty of coinage, if you’re willing to keep your eyes open.  Today I found $2.16. The coins were scattered in a small area on San Tomas Expressway.

I have two rules about stopping for coins. 1) I don’t stop for pennies. Sure, I’ll bend over and pick it up if I’m stopped at a light. 2) I don’t risk my life. If a coin is out in traffic, I leave it alone.

It was early on a Sunday morning, so I helped myself to a coin bonanza. I don’t know how it got there. It already looked like road kill, so it was most likely out there more than a day. I even left some coins behind since I would have violated rule #2.

In 2006, I tracked how much money I found in a year. It came to $6.30. That will buy a new tube, or 20 patches. This year I’m keeping track again, and I’m now at $3.50 with nine months to go.

This is the most change I’ve found at once. I have found other goodies, mostly work gloves, tools, hats, and a couple of cell phones (both returned to owner). I’ve only found a few bills. They don’t last long before someone nabs them.

If you see change on the road, feel free to stop and pick it up. We need to keep money in circulation. If it’s scuffed up that’s fine. We want to recycle old coins, which are melted down to make more coins.

Happy hunting.

Coyote Creek Path Puts on Some More S(miles)

Coyote Creek Trail at Tully Road

Recreation paths have become a “feel good” activity for politicians and right about now San Jose’s City Council should be feeling good about the latest 1.2-mile addition to Coyote Creek Trail starting at Tully Road.

 Of course, most trail building is a multi-agency deal with city, county, federal and even private donation dollars in the mix. The trail saw its formal dedication on Saturday, August 16, as part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail. I did not attend, but I did ride the trail on Sunday.

I’ve long been a fan of the Coyote Creek Trail going south from Hellyer Park nearly to Anderson Reservoir in Morgan Hill. This extension heads 2 miles north from Hellyer to Tully Road, passing a hodgepodge of scenery: Los Lagos golf course, a golf driving range, a new playground in Stone Gate Park, Stonegate Elementary School, a horse ranch, and a skateboard park.

It follows Coyote Creek, although seeing the creek through dense foliage is a challenge. I visited here a couple years ago and wound up on the west side of the creek, which was and still is a homeless camp. The camp dates back to at least 1906, providing every indication that homelessness is a way of life, for some. At least they don’t have to worry about foreclosures.

But I digress. The path is fabulous, with a few rises and descents to get your heart rate going, but only a challenge for youngsters just learning to ride. There’s a drinking fountain at the new playground, picnic tables, and benches.

A new playground for the kids

There’s more to come. One day, probably not in my lifetime though, a recreation path will extend all the way to the bay. Coyote Creek has plenty of parks nearby, but there’s an awful lot of junk and right-of-way hassles to overcome, so it’s going to be long slog. Let your local politician know it’s money well spent.

While it’s a long haul for me – 10 miles on Curtner Avenue most of the way – I like to ride the length of the path and return on other roads, like McKee. The new path is smooth and has those fancy yellow stripes down the middle. The section leading to Hellyer Park from Capitol Expressway has also been spiffed up and repaved, trash removed. Enjoy the ride!

San Tomas Aquino Creek Trail, Reach 3, Open

San Tomas Aquino Creek Trail at the Caltrain underpass

For the first time, I rode Reach 3 today heading south from Agnew Road to Monroe Street, where the path ends (1.8 miles). There’s a stop sign at Monroe Street. The street light at this intersection is not yet activated.

The other unfinished items I noted a few weeks ago are done – signage and pole barriers to keep out unauthorized vehicles.

I suspect the trail is open for good and not just for maintenance.

How much time does it save me? I have a mile more of non-stop riding. I no longer have to stop for the light on Kifer and San Tomas Expressway. Nor do I have to climb the train overpass on San Tomas, but that’s no big deal. That’s it. So I’m not going to save much time.  I may save a minute on average, but it’s a lot more fun riding here than on San Tomas Expwy, so I will use it all the time now.

I’ll also be much more likely to wait for the light at Monroe Street and then pick up Los Padres Boulevard going south rather than riding San Tomas. Taking Los Padres is a bit slower, perhaps, but less stressful. Way to go Santa Clara!