Ride Profile

Ride Description

This is a great loop through the backroads of Pinole.  The Loop heads you up and over some pretty good hills on Bear Creek Rd. called Little Bear and Big Bear.  They are not really steep climbs, but the climbs are at a fairly continuous grade and go for a half a mile or so.  But once you make it up them you get to enjoy some great downhills!  The scenery is nice too as the ride takes you past Briones Reservoir and then past San Pablo Dam Reservoir.

Start Location and Parking

Pinole Valley Park

There is plenty of parking at the park

Ride Directions

1. Turn right out of Pinole Valley Park
2. At "Y" in road, stay to the left on Alhambra Valley Rd.
3. Right turn on Bear Creek Rd.
4. Right turn on San Pablo Dam Rd.
5. Right turn on Castro Ranch Rd.
6. Left turn on Pinole Valley Rd.

Food, Coffee and Juice Joints close to Start/Finish

When you exit Pinole Valley Road, there is a shopping center with Trader Joe's, Jamba Juice, Peet's coffee.  There is also a Chevron station, and 7-Eleven.

Food, Water, & Bathrooms along route

There are not many stops on the route.  I think that you pass a couple staging areas on Bear Creek Rd that may have port-a-potties.

Recommended Bike Shops (name, phone, website)