Bike Trails in SF East Bay

Below are some of the car-free trails I really enjoyed in the East Bay. 

1.  Iron Horse Trail (24.0 mi., from Dublin/Pleasanton Bart Station (final stop), to Concord)

Although, there are quite a few crossroads along the way requiring you to stop, this 24.0 mi of flat and effortless path is one of the most enjoyable.  The start point of this trail literally begins from the Bart Station.  I never did a round trip from Dublin/Pleasanton Bart Station to Concord then back since it took a considerable amount of time to complete one way for me, at least.  

Source, for more information, map in PDF format: www.ebparks.org/parks/trails/iron_horse

With the every-beginning-has-an-end attitude, our journey begins.

My favorite part of the trail.

Concord! Finally!

2.  Alameda Creek Regional Trail (~11 mi. from Mission Blvd., Fremont to SF Bay)

Not as long and interesting as Iron Horse, but no stop sign, no red light, no intersection, meaning you can bike, bike, and bike some more without leaving your saddle for hours.  Biking in Alameda Creek sometimes makes me wonder where the hell I am?  It doesn't look like the densely populated Bay Area I've always live in.

 I usually get off at Union City Bart Station and enter the middle of the trail from Decoto Road.  Not until recently, I realized it's better to get off at Fremont Bart Station and enter from Mission Blvd, so I can start from nearly the beginning of the trail and heads toward the SF Bay.  Please see the map below.

Source, download map in PDF format, and for more info: http://www.ebparks.org/parks/trails/alameda_creek

3.  Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail (~7.7 mi, EBMUD Valle Vista Staging Area to the intersection of Olympic Blvd. and Pleasant Hill Rd.)

The Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail is somewhat similar to Iron Horse Trail, multiple crossroads preventing you to bike continuously.  I must say the neighborhoods in Lafayette-Moraga are more upscale than the already-very-nice San Ramon, Alamo, and Danville area along Iron Horse Trail.  However, 7.7 miles trail is long enough compared to the above two trails.  Although it's still effortless, terrain is little more challenging especially between the Moraga Park Common and Lafayette Community Park.

Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail in the SF Bay Area, (source: map.google.com)

A closer view of the trail, (source: map.google.com)

I usually park my car in Valle Vista Staging Area, unload my bike, and start from there.  I can also start from the the other end, Olympic Blvd., if I decided not to drive and take the BART to Lafayette BART Station.  Never tried taking BART and bike to the trail before, maybe it's kinda far from the starting point, or maybe not; I dunno.  I think I should try it next time.

Charge Mixer Alfine 11 - First Impression and Review

I talked about my dream perfect Alfine 11 bike awhile ago, and one of the best three bikes is a Charge Mixer.  I did get a chance to see it in person in Performance Bike in San Francisco, but never did a test ride. Well, Bikerumor has it.  First impression as well as long term test, something you wouldn't want to miss.

Source: www.bikerumors.com

 

Not a Rumor Anymore: 2012 Origin-8 Frames, Specifically CX700

You can find the listing: http://compare.ebay.com/like/380439788576?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar

Source: http://www.origin-8.com/

The 2012 black cx700 is here.  Need I say more?  Well...

I just bought a used 2011 cx700, but seeing how much the new ones are right now, I have no regret yet.  I may change the way I think, or even get paranoid, if the price drops substantially, but now I am going to keep my cool.

@ $379.96 + shipping (~$42.00 for me only), the current one is more than twice the price of the previous year, and the price tag is very close, if not the same, as Soma Fabrication's black Double Cross, which both Double Cross and CX700 are cross frames with both canti bosses/disc brake tabs.

Latest Update (May 22, 2012):

$269.98 (shipping not included) is getting closer to the equilibrium price as far as law of demand and supply goes.  

Updated Pics, Brooks B17 Narrow, Origin 8 Propulsion Track Pedals, B&M Lumotec IQ

I decided to replace the Avenir saddle with the Brooks B17 Narrow.  I got the B17 narrow used on Craigslist for $50, which I thought was a good deal in nearly new condition.  I liked the feel of the narrow version better than the regular B17.

I do like the look of the Origin8 Track pedals (same as Wellgo WR-1).   If you are not careful, they can give you a pretty bad scratch on the back of your lower leg, which is what happened to me and my friend who borrowed my bike for a day.   I am going to leave these pedals on this bike, but I wouldn't buy another set because the Origin-8 pedals are too dangerous even for casual cycling.  These pedals also resembles the appearance of the pricier MKS Touring Lite pedals, which I also own but haven't install them yet.  Fingers crossed, hope the design of the MKS is more forgiving.

Left: MKS Touring Lite Pedals; Right: Origin-8 Propulsion Track Pedals

I finally get a chance to use the B&M Lumotec IQ at night (40 lux).  First impression... WOW!   Much brighter than I expected.  This headlight is more than adequate for my need.  I should post some pics to show how bright it is when I have time, but for now, please check out the pics below.