Orinda, CA - Three Bears Loop - Triathlon Week

Griz · 02-02-2003, 02:41 PM

<a href="http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?location=X6%2fItQ%2frAHYX3WOBWRdq0Ay59f6uV GRrS0HXb9p5eKGPU5afqGMT8eFeZSZNyRtu6a%2foiqlpT6U%3 d&address=&city=Orind&state=ca&country=US"><img src="http://www.barides.com/images/orinda.gif" width="356" height="249" border="0" align="right"></a>Ride Start: Downtown Orinda. Most people park in or near the Safeway parking lot. 
Distance: 23 Miles 
Ride Time: 1½ - 2 Hours 
Difficulty: Moderate 
Elevation Gain/Loss: n/a 
HILLS: Moderate 
ROADS: Good; potholes and cracks along Bear Creek road 
SCENERY: nice views of the San Pablo Reservoir and rolling farmlands 
TRAFFIC: Light 
SERVICES: Services in Orinda and bathrooms at Kennedy Grove park at about mile 7

Description
This rides starts in Orinda, just over the Berkeley hills off of highway 24. Once you get off of Pablo Dam Blvd, you will feel like you are miles away from the city and you will probably see more cows than cars.
<a href="http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?mapdata=xU4YXdELrnCoTsTIdh%2fAZx%2ffyg%2fX i%2fHYAt22zdaFeEUJJ3X5dLNaK9Zo30N5o6MJ6%2brrGreuIA HpZzL2UW7FYwiGbob%2fb%2fXTogEON%2bU3uYnboCJY7MvYgt 0bf%2buLkpLpwQAHFRR1LlV66b10S491Cv8Kvs49I2oFekPIB% 2bX9hoIfyy5YHDwXDQ1SnY6wn6bF8Vywwx5%2fi%2fbVLD5pl3 byUfEUTrG2lsSiXFuAD46Jg%2bEoKp7PSH7EPWX1qwwyKgdmAL WrkZG9f9mWfslGOJxW79uM8pIEOwW8a66x6ysjrTwanMqQMxNv 6Jw4DBcrzSZtU4eUDrYUu3odmT%2bI4ZRtRlBGVAX2TZpkivMu 8S0erf77MA60i7Cf3gq8FKbCrDQ07V2R4Xlp4mFPZUeyG1qhGu QT0jEK4PGBPwbmjNO%2fL9FZppmNOLJempmYY%2fmoAZGryXph Olb1H%2fBaKZfujnn3kxcbFEXPtA3k9P2r2MmqlO1HTruz5EL1 9t%2bU%2b4azi%2bHxzr4CNXyaeaCHsKDq5jzyOtko%2bSpAGn ruFycUXiRlk25FTmx2GMfLTWmG15Zg%2bJysSAx7rboMiss%3d "><img src="http://www.barides.com/images/maps/threebears_loop.gif" width="356" height="331" border="0" align="right"></a>
Start off down Pablo Dam Blvd, heading towards the reservoir. This road has the heaviest traffic of the ride, but there is a decent shoulder for cyclists.

Make a right on Alhambra Valley road, another right 2 miles later at Beer Creek road. Stay to the right on Bear Creek road and after a few miles you will be at the base of the first serious climb, Mama Bear.

After descending Mama Bear, you end up at the base of Papa Bear, the hardest climb of the ride. It's not terrible - but it's a straight, steady climb with no switchbacks. After the summit, you roll down a steep hill and end up heading back up for the short climb on Baby Bear. The speed from Papa Bear should carry you most of the way up.

After Baby Bear, you have a very fast downhill back to San Pablo Dam rd. Be careful, you can reach the speed limit of your bike if you don't check your speed.

Once you reach San Pablo Dam road, make a left and you are back to the start of the ride.

Turn by turn
Straight on Pablo Dam Blvd
Right on Alhambra Valley Road
Right on Bear Creek Road
Stay Right
Left onto Pablo Dam Blvd to start