For all routes:

Take BART to the Orinda station (we probably will ride to Rockridge).  From
the Orinda BART station, take Moraga Way southbound (you have to loop around
the station a bit, follow the signs).   Moraga Way is commercial for
a couple blocks, then is wooded and residential, with a decent shoulder
and a basically well-behaved stream of traffic.  The only thing to watch out
for is cars coming out of the blind driveways.  Moraga Way slopes slightly
uphill for most of its length; it's not steep but it can be tiring.  Don't
push too hard, especially if you plan to do the intermediate or advanced ride.
A number of rides have started on this road but we turn off fairly soon.

After about 2 miles, turn left on Glorietta Boulevard.  Glorietta Boulevard
is a lightly travelled residential road.  It climbs for a short while, then
has a fun descent to Mount Diablo Bouleavard west of Lafayette.  The pavement
is decent and there's not much cross-traffic.  On the descent the road
flattens out and turns to hit Alcalanes Road; bear left (it's less than
a full turn).  Alcalanes Road is similar to Glorietta, but less wooded.
Shortly after Glorietta hits Alcalanes, Alcalanes hits a stoplight at
Mount Diablo Boulevard.  Turn right on Mount Diablo (I didn't see a 
street sign at the intersection; if you go under the freeway you missed
it).  Mount Diablo Boulevard is commercial but there are no businesses up 
this far.  It's wide and lightly trafficked, and has a reasonable bike lane.  
Take it for about half a mile, then turn left at the bottom of the hill
on El Nido Ranch Road.

El Nido Ranch Road is a residential road with a moderate stream of traffic.
Take it for about half a mile; there's a short climb, and then you hit
Upper Happy Valley Road.  Turn right on Upper Happy Valley Road.

Upper Happy Valley Road is wooded and residential and has little traffic.
It climbs gently for a while and then has a short, steeper section (but it's
not too bad).  After a mile it ends at Happy Valley Road.


For easy route:

Turn right on Happy Valley Road.  Happy Valley Road is also wooded and
residential, but is wider and has slightly more traffic.  It has a reasonably
nice descent, but the pavement isn't that great.  It descends all the way to 
the BART station, which will be on your left after about 2 miles.  Total 
riding is just under 10 miles.                                           


For intermediate/advanced routes:

Turn left on Happy Valley Road.  In this direction the road narrows and
the pavement deteriorates somewhat.  From the turn there are about 1.5 miles
worth of climbing and it gets pretty steep.  There's a nice view of the
valley about halfway up, we may take a break there.  After the climb,
the descent on the other side is rather sharp; it averages a 9% grade and
it's twisty.  Be careful; there are usually sharp shadows that make road
hazards hard to see.  The road surface is bumpy but not that bad, just
don't get out of control.  There's a sharp hairpin turn near the bottom;
as soon as you see the yellow 10 MPH sign you should get on the brakes.
After the hairpin the descent continues but is less steep.  The road
ends at Bear Creek Road about 1.5 miles after the peak.  Turn left on
Bear Creek Road.

Bear Creek Road is one of my favorite roads.  It's wide, well-paved, has
little traffic, and is very pretty.  Happy Valley Road hits it between
Mama Bear and Papa Bear (the two main hills).  The hill starts as soon
as we turn, and kicks in in earnest around the time we get around the
first bend.  It's a very straight 7% grade and about a mile long.
There's no shade so be wary of overheating and drink lots of water.
After the peak the road dips for a bit, then climbs again to about 
the height of the first peak, then drops for about 2.5 miles in what
is probably the funnest descent in the area.  There's no traffic, no turns
that require braking, and a nice view.  I usually find myself shouting
something similar to "whoop!" somewhere along this hill.

Eventually the descent flattens out, then there's a short, steep climb up
to San Pablo Dam Road/Camino Pablo.


For intermediate route:

Turn left on Camino Pablo.  Camino Pablo is mostly flat and straight into
Orinda.  BART will be on your right after 2.5 miles.  Total riding is about
18 miles.


For advanced route:

Go straight through the intersection onto Wildcat Canyon Road.  Wildcat
Canyon Road is a wooded climb up to Tilden Park; the hill is fairly
steep and winding.  After about a mile the hill lets up and you get some
nice views of the hills you've conquered today.  Inspiration Point is
2.5 miles up the road, and after that it's mostly downhill to Grizzly
Peak Boulevard 3.5 miles later.  Turn left on Grizzly Peak and then right
on Euclid (3 blocks).  The descent on Euclid isn't particularly fun;
watch out for lousy pavement and stop signs.  Euclid, of course, ends
at North Gate.  Total riding is about 25 miles.