The quest for sick mixed road and gravel in Berkeley.
images are in chronological order.
The ride began from my usual starting point in Berkeley. A central and safe spot to park the vehicle for countless hours while off ripping bikes. Like many of my rides in the Berkeley area, heading up Tunnel Rd. to gain access into the world of higher elevation and trees is a prerequisite. Tunnel Rd. eventually turns into Skyline. You ride past million dollar homes that overlook the bay. It’s gorgeous and a pretty pleasant and mellow climb. I continued on Skyline until I reached Pinehurst Rd. (another prerequisite for linking rides/routes on the “other side”). From here I found myself descending down a pitchy and sand covered road in the shade of trees that could tell stories i’m not sure I want to hear... Next I found myself turning into a staging area that looked promising. It was. I smashed up steep grassy, seemingly untraveled dirt roads that brought me to the top of a hill. At a fence. Covered in NO TRESPASSING signs. So, I did what any person thirsting for that sweet thrill of new roads would do… and hopped that bitch. I found myself smashing down this fantastic dirt road with natural little jumps and berms from water run off. It was sick.
Until I rounded a corner and was instantly in what felt like a Manson-Familyesque compound. Legit weird vibes. Concrete houses. What looked like tornado sirens peaked out from random locations. Cars parked everywhere, multiple houses, and no signs of life. I was a bit spooked, probably all in my head, but I didn’t linger. I kept ripping on the dirt road that ran along the compound and dropped down this little descent. Ahead of me a saw an older man, big grey beard walking on the road. Great, i’m either going to get yelled at or get shot at, or both? I cautiously kept riding towards him, watching his movements. As I neared him, he smiled and waved and we passed each other like it was normal. Hmmm, maybe it is all in my head? Either way, I need to keep moving. Eventually I popped out onto a cut for the power lines in the area. I followed this until it ended at the top of a densely treed ridgeline. I could hear cars driving down on the road below me, but wasn’t sure how far away they actually were. I checked my GPS, didn’t look too far. Not rideable though. Over the shoulder my bike went and I began slipping and sliding my way back down to civilization.
In my adventure down this hillside I stumbled upon an old outlaw MTB trail. I couldn’t tell when the last time it had been ridden, but someone definitely put some effort into it! Love to see that. I followed this trail until it popped me out right at the edge of the road, the same road I had descended earlier before I entered the staging area, COOL! Now where?
I started riding the road again, until the road teed into another road. Left? nah. lets go right! Right took me about 5 miles or so up this awesome climb and to another little nature area. No bikes allowed. Well, I guess we will keep going. Another intersection a few miles down the road. Left or Right? lets go left. Left took me down and then back up again for some more climbing. Suddenly I was next to the Upper San Leandro Reservoir. Cool! Keep pedaling I guess, no signs of good dirt yet. Then bam! I entered Anthony Chabot Regional Park. I hopped on a trail and started smashing. The trail followed alongside the main road into the Park, crossing over it every mile or half mile. Suddenly I was out of the trees and into a well trafficked trail system.
After not seeing hardly anyone up until now, dogs, kids, grandparents, etc. were all out walking around and enjoying a beautiful Saturday. I chatted with some random mountain biker. He tried to give me some beta on where to go, but he clearly didn’t understand my mission. And that was to ride my bike until I was done riding it. He kept trying to give me the quickest route to here or there and all over. Thanks dude, but i’m going to keep ripping this way. I descended down this steep and seriously eroded path, dodging headphone wearing (oblivious) flat landers. This trail popped me out onto a golf course, right at the club house. I needed to refill bottles anyways, don’t mind if I do! I checked my gps real quick and saw that there was another trail system up ahead. Back on the saddle! This trail wound through the trees, gained elevation, just to lose it shortly after, oh well, onwards!
Suddenly I was squeezing my brakes as I descended into Lake Chabot. Holy hell, there are people fucking everywhere. Get me out of here. I smashed around the lake and found some more of that sweet dirt I had been longing for. The people were all behind me and I was getting ready to be back to the van and eating food that wasn’t in “gel form”. Another 20 miles or so of linking random trails and riding roads, I was back descending down Skyline and headed back to town. The sun was starting to dip low, it looked like only another hour or so of daylight left. I arrived back at the van. Feeling accomplished. I found some awesome gravel, I didn’t underfuel this time, no mechanicals, and tons of good vibes! What more could I ask for?? Now begins the search for a new and exciting vegan place to eat!
