Mount Hamilton

There are three ways I can get through the mountains and into the Bay Area - north over Altamont Pass (700 feet), south over Pacheco Pass (1300 feet), or straight over Mount Hamilton (4100 feet).  If you know me you can probably guess which one I'm doing.

But it's much more than simply being a masochist.  I bought my first road bike when I lived in San Jose.  I got it to speed up my commute, which I had been doing on a mountain bike.  Once I had the bike, however, I looked up at Mt Hamilton, the highest point in the Bay Area, and thought, hmm, what would happen if I tried to ride my bike up there?   I went halfway up on my first attempt, and to the top the next time.  The third time I continued over the back side to Livermore.  So to me, Mt Hamilton represents my initial interest in cycling, and the sign on top that says "Patterson - 50 miles" is my wonder of what would happen if I biked just a little further.  So, I can't think of a better way to end this trip, and the 20 mile descent to San Jose won't be so bad either!