Visiting Oakland California Sept 29-Oct 2

[weisan]

I will be attending a conference at Oakland later this month, tentatively flying in on Sept 29 Tuesday in the morning and leaving Oct 2 Friday in the afternoon.

I have the options of extending the trip a day or two, either arriving a day earlier or leaving a day later, depending on what's available to do around the area and ability to find some affordable accommodation (because employer only pays for duration of conference)

At the moment, I am planning to bring my Taylor sans the wheels to reduce the luggage size. If there's a pal who is kind enough to loan a set of shimano 9-speed compatible wheelset + tires for the duration of my stay, that would be great!

I would love to meet up with someone or a group who comes to this forum for a ride.

The conference officially starts on Wednesday Sept 30. so I pretty much have Sept 29 opened for the rest of the day as soon as I get there. For the rest of the week during the conference itself, I assume I will be available after 4 to indulge in some sight-seeing, bike riding, friends-meeting, park-hiking whatever.

Be interested in hearing recommendations on places to eat, visit and ride.

I won't have a car so it's either have to be reachable by a bike or public transportation.

Thanks in advance.

Edit: Forgot to add one detail: I will be staying at Oakland Marriott City Center Hotel downtown.

[weisan]

Found this cuesheet on the Oakland YellowJackets cycling club website. The route starts at Children's Fairyland, Lake Merritt, which is not too far away from the hotel. Is it any good?

32 miles
http://www.oaklandyellowjackets.org/...pyValley_L.pdf

60-miles option
http://www.oaklandyellowjackets.org/...Valley_HIA.pdf

"Explore some new and old routes through Montclair and over the hills to Lafayette. Then climb Upper Happy Valley Road and Happy Valley Road and over two of the 3 Bears. Continue on beautiful rural roads to Pinole, then return via the OYJ Point Pinole route through North Richmond, Point Richmond, and the San Francisco Bay Trail. Extend your ride down south on the Bay Trail to Emeryville and return through West Oakland to the Lake. Light riders follow the same route to Lafayette, then link to the Lafayette-Moraga bike trail to Moraga and end at Orinda BART."

[weisan]

Mt Diablo
http://www.oaklandyellowjackets.org/...tDiablo_IA.pdf

[sandyrs]

By my buddy in oakland's account, Diablo is definitely worth a ride out. You can take public transit out toward it to shorten the ride if timing is an issue.

[joosttx]

I have a shimano 9 compatible wheel set for you in Marin PM me.

Frankly, I would look up the 7 sisters route in Marin. It's probably one of the most beautiful rides in the area and my go to if I had one ride to do.

[weisan]

@sandy pal: thanks for the suggestion. I haven't gone that far in my research yet, but it sounded like I can bring my bike on the BART, is that correct?
I will definitely be using the BART to get from the airport to my hotel.

@joos pal: you are so kind, thanks for your generous offer. How far are we talking from Oakland?
I found this on the yellowjackets site.
http://www.oaklandyellowjackets.org/...seven-sisters/
Mt Tam route.
http://www.oaklandyellowjackets.org/...-tamalpais-ia/

[joosttx]

You can bring a bike on BART. Just not during rush hour. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.


Here is a link to the Alpine Dam / 7 Sisters route. I highly recommend it.

You can take a ferry into Marin (larkspur landing) or get into SF and ride over the GGB to do it. Probably will need some form of public transport


http://www.studiovelocycling.com/com...oop-road-ride/

Originally Posted by weisan

@sandy pal: thanks for the suggestion. I haven't gone that far in my research yet, but it sounded like I can bring my bike on the BART, is that correct?
I will definitely be using the BART to get from the airport to my hotel.

@joos pal: you are so kind, thanks for your generous offer. How far are we talking from Oakland?
I found this on the yellowjackets site.
http://www.oaklandyellowjackets.org/...seven-sisters/
Mt Tam route.
http://www.oaklandyellowjackets.org/...-tamalpais-ia/

[kgreene10]

The UC Berkekey cycling team used to have a Mt Diablo cue sheet on its website. There are a few tricky bits for the uninitiated. Much of the ride is nice but done is in suburbia. Other nice rides include Skyline to Linecrrdt and then down into the wooded park area. You can do an out an back there or head to Castro Valley and return. Also great is the loop around San Pablo Dam Reservoir.

I grew up at the base of the Alpine Dam route from Fairfax and although it's just about the best riding, there are really wonderful routes you can do from Oakland without driving.

[FlashUNC]

Don't listen to Houston, he's such a Marin homer.

Plenty of great East Bay rides, like Three Bears, Diablo, Redwood/Pinehurst and Skyline. The Zoo Loop is fantastic.

For stuff to do since you're downtown, head down to Jack London Square and get a beer at Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon. Sit on the patio and enjoy the weather.

[weisan]

hehehe...it's nice to have so many different options!!!

thanks for chiming in, kgreen and flash pals.

Let's plan an online itinerary together, shall we?

Please add necessary details such as how to get to start point, cue sheet, things to watch out for etc. Appreciate it!

Day 1: Sept 29 Tues
Arrived at Oakland 10:50 AM. Give a couple of hours to get to hotel and set up my bike, say I am ready to roll at 1 pm at the latest.

Ride Option: Diablo?

Day 2: Sept 30 Wed Only available after 3-4 pm.
Ride option: Zoo loop?

Day 3: Oct 1 Thurs after 3-4 pm
Ride option: Three Bears/Redwood/Pinehurst/Skyline

Day 4: Oct 2 Fri
departing Oakland 4:20 pm

[Tickdoc]

Originally Posted by weisan

mt diablo
http://www.oaklandyellowjackets.org/...tdiablo_ia.pdf

+1

[eddief]

http://www.bart.gov/guide/bikes/bikeRules

https://www.grizz.org/routes/

[jtakeda]

Damn, so much to write. I'm gonna get back to this later tonight.

What do you like to eat? So much stuff by Lake Merritt.

[roguedog]

Hey weisan, I also have some wheels for you to borrow. Um, they're actually the open pros you sold me a few years back so maybe they'd like to be re-united with you Problem is how to get 'em to you since you arrive on Tues and I'm not in the Easy Bay.

Anyway, if we can work out logistics and timing, happy to help you get rolling and riding out here.

[icepick_trotsky]

+1 for Diablo. My parents live near it, so I climb it every chance I get on visits. Nice workout and incredible views.