Pleasanton, CA: Calaveras to Sierra Road

Pleasanton, CA: Calaveras to Sierra Road

Beat the Bay Area bustle with this pastoral 63-miler near Pleasanton that climbs 1,700 feet to the summit of Sierra Road.

Author:	Steve & Stella Rosefield
Date:	22 Jan 2008 8:45:00 AM
Activity:	Bicycling ActivitySearchBicycling
State:	California (CA)
Distance:	62.86 mi (Change units)
Average Speed:	15.5 mph 0:03:52/mi
Duration:	4:04:00
Elevation:	Total Gain: 5672 ft Total Loss: 5672 ft Net Change: 1 ft
Difficulty:	7 / 10
Tags:	Bay Area, San Jose, California
Rating:	Unrated Rate it

This ride starts from the Dublin/Pleasanton Station and travels south, then southeast to Foothill Road. At mile 10, wind along tree-lined Calaveras Road for a gentle climb past Calaveras Reservoir. The ascent of Sierra Road marks the halfway point of the ride. Prepare for a steady, aerobic challenge that culminates on the road’s 2,000-foot summit (an infamous strategic point each year in the Tour of California). On the return trip both Sierra and Calaveras Road hav a few tricky turns, so descend with caution and approach blind curves in the correct lane. The return trip to Pleasanton is mostly a downhill roll -- a quick trip if you’re riding in a paceline. Read more about BART and bikes.

-Mapped by Steve Rosefield

Position Format:	Datum:

Tracks

Pleasanton, CA: Calaveras to Sierra Road

Dist: 62.86 mi	Points: 832	Calories: 0
Time: 4:04:00	Speed: 15.5 mph	Pace: 3:52 / mi

Distance	Instruction		Distance to next
0.00 mi	Start	Begin from the BART Dublin/Pleasanton Station and cross I-580	Then go 0.12 mi
0.12 mi	Turn Right	Willow Rd.	Then go 1.21 mi
1.33 mi	Turn Right	W. Las Positas Blvd.	Then go 1.40 mi
2.73 mi	Turn Left	Foothill Rd.	Then go 6.68 mi
9.41 mi	Turn Left	Cross railroad tracks	Then go 0.04 mi
9.45 mi	Turn Left	Main St.	Then go 0.25 mi
9.70 mi	Turn Left	Niles Canyon Rd.	Then go 0.14 mi
9.84 mi	Bear Right	Paloma Rd.	Then go 0.48 mi
10.32 mi	Straight	Continue on Calaveras Ave.	Then go 14.20 mi
24.52 mi	Turn Left	Felter Rd.	Then go 4.19 mi
28.71 mi	Straight	Continue on Sierra Rd.	Then go 2.12 mi
30.83 mi	U-Turn	Head back along Sierra Rd.	Then go 2.14 mi
32.97 mi	Bear Left	Felter Rd.	Then go 4.18 mi
37.16 mi	Turn Right	Calaveras Rd. Note: Do not continue straight on Calaveras Rd.	Then go 13.92 mi
51.08 mi	Straight	Continue onto Paloma Rd.	Then go 0.77 mi
51.85 mi	Turn Right	Pleasanton Sunol Rd.	Then go 3.45 mi
55.31 mi	Turn Right	Happy Valley Rd.	Then go 1.03 mi
56.34 mi	Bear Left	Allsal St.	Then go 0.66 mi
57.00 mi	Turn Left	Sycamore Rd.	Then go 0.52 mi
57.52 mi	Turn Left	Sycamore Rd.	Then go 0.15 mi
57.67 mi	Turn Right	Sunol Blvd.	Then go 0.85 mi
58.52 mi	Straight	1st St.	Then go 0.23 mi
58.75 mi	Turn Left	W Angela St.	Then go 0.11 mi
58.86 mi	Turn Right	Main St.	Then go 0.23 mi
59.09 mi	Turn Left	St. Mary St.	Then go 0.32 mi
59.41 mi	Bear Right	Division St.	Then go 0.33 mi
59.73 mi	Straight	Onto Hopyard Rd.	Then go 0.10 mi
59.83 mi	Bear Right	On Hopyard Rd.	Then go 1.35 mi
61.19 mi	Turn Right	W. Las Positas Blvd.	Then go 0.34 mi
61.53 mi	Turn Left	Willow Rd.	Then go 1.22 mi
62.75 mi	Turn Left	Towards Dublin/Pleasanton Station	Then go 0.11 mi
62.86 mi	Stop	Dublin/Pleasanton Station

Points of Interest

Looking down Foothill Rd.

Location: 37.644974°, -121.901014°

Typical scenery along Foothill Rd.

Location: 37.631448°, -121.887463°

Large overhanging trees mean shade in the summer.

Location: 37.627828°, -121.883698°

Pleasanton Ridge

Location: 37.614571°, -121.882238°
Great mountain biking. A Bathroom stop is available here.

Cross several seasonal streams.

Location: 37.531646°, -121.854000°

Looking down Calaveras Rd.

Location: 37.536615°, -121.853356°

Calaveras Climb

Location: 37.528643°, -121.851511°
Start the first gentle climb up Calaveras Rd.

Scenery to distract yourself with while climbing

Location: 37.526337°, -121.849537°

Photo 0

Location: 37.524022°, -121.847820°

Trees to shade you from the harsh summer sun.

Location: 37.521436°, -121.847777°

A buck hides near the road

Location: 37.520210°, -121.846962°
Wildlife is common along this ride: Bucks, raccoons, possums, foxes, rattlesnakes, eagles, and a bobcat just to name a few.

Calaveras Summit

Location: 37.505096°, -121.832156°
The hills are mostly rolling after this point until the Felter Rd. turnoff.

Calaveras Reservoir

Location: 37.495767°, -121.832328°
Northern Tip of Calaveras Reservoir Visible for the next 10 miles, the Calaveras Reservoir has a capacity of 100,000 acre-feet.

Depending on the season, lush green hillsides line the road.

Location: 37.490106°, -121.831030°

Air Conditioned Corners

Location: 37.488038°, -121.835160°
Seasonal stream Along Calaveras several seasonal streams cascade down the hillside creating patches of cool refreshing air, which locals have dubbed, "air conditioned corners."

Much of the road along the reservoir is single lane.

Location: 37.473768°, -121.832199°
There are few cars out here, but don't be lulled into a sense of false security: keep your ears open and stay to the right on blind corners.

Caution

Location: 37.443109°, -121.835032°
Be prepared to stop for traffic at the base of this steep descent. Watch your speed while descending Calaveras: there is no three-way stop at the intersection with Felter Rd.