One Devil of a Climb in the East Bay
(continued)

Time to head down. Of course the descent was as fun as I remembered it to be. It started out with an identical one-way 17% ramp going in the other (downhill) direction, then continued with a couple of miles of rather technical twisty bits before opening up some to allow a nervous descender to relax his death-grip on the brake hoods.

(Above and Below: Descending Summit Road)

Here, the car is no faster than a bicyclist with average handling skills. I got stuck behind a yellow school bus, and the driver waved at me to pass. So I said, "What a nice smile you have." Ka-boom. Sit down, Mr. Youngman.

(Above: South Gate Road, a more varied and picturesque approach)

The descent took me to all the way down to well-heeled Danville, with its manicured center-dividers, chauffered limos, gated communities and private golf-courses.

I turned around and resumed climbing from the Athenian School where some sophist I’m sure is under threat to be given hemlock for introducing new deities and corrupting the children of Danville’s finest.

(Below: South Gate Road approximately 1 mile from the South gate entrance)

(Below: South Gate Road as it starts to flatten just before the gate)

I have always liked the South Gate Road better than its northern counterpart—in my opinion it provides better views and an overall more enjoyable riding. The road climbs consistently in its first 4 miles, rarely deviating from 4%-6%. Immediately past the entrance gate (which, incidentally, when California ran out of money several years ago, ridiculously started charging bicyclists $2 to get in—a dumb bureaucratic policy that didn’t last long), as I started to say, immediately past the entrance gate is a flat area that I call "Little Yosemite."

(Above and Below: The flattish section of South Gate Road I dubbed "Little Yosemite" just past the gate)

Little Yosemite is followed by another moderate, but picturesque stretch of road. One is likely to see a platoon of hikers here, for the one of the main hiking trails crosses the road at this point. The summit observatory and the masts, both seemingly out of reach, are also visible from this point.

(Above: The more wide-open and higher section of South Gate Road)

After another mile or moderate climbing, the "Elevation 2,000 Ft." sign appeared and the junction followed shortly thereafter.

(Above: Yet another face of South Gate Road, this one mildly uphill and partly tree- covered)

At this point, all that was left was the exhilarating descent down North Gate Road, which, because it was better paved, WAS more fun than a descent on its southern counterpart.

(Below: Looking east from South Gate Road nearing the junction. On clear days,
I have been able to see snow-capped Sierra peaks from here with my naked eye)

Oh Aunt Em, there’s no place like home…

(more pictures)

Last Updated: July 13, 2000