If you’re tired of riding the same old stuff in the Bay Area, then I’ve got a trail you’ve probably never heard of to mix things up.
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My cousin coined the name “Benicia Territory” and I’m trying to make it stick. The Vallejo-Benicia Buffer Trail is a nice ribbon of singletrack that runs North-South with plenty of climbing and some really fun descending. I’ve also added a section in Benicia State Park, which has a nice little singletrack segment. And to top it off I’ll send you on an adventure as well, as you pedal along the Carquinez Strait among some big rocks and tricky technical sections.
If you’ve got a bad perception of Vallejo, you’re in for quite the surprise by the time you top out and take in the amazing views above the Carquinez and Alfred Zampa Bridges.
The Ride
- The route is 15.5 miles, with about 2,000 feet of elevation gain. It took me 1 hour and 45 minutes to ride.
- Check out the route on Strava
- Download the GPX file
- Most of the ride is buff singletrack, so it can be done on a hardtail.
- Most of the climbing is in the first half of the ride.
- Protect your bike on the rocky trail right on the water in Glen Cove. It’s easy to tear off a rear derailleur if you’re not careful.
- There are plenty of benches along the route to stop and snack.
Logistics
- Park on Cambridge Drive, just off of Rose Drive in Benicia, California. This is plenty of parking and this is pretty close to Interstate 780.
- Starbucks, CVS and McDonald’s are all right down the street from the starting point, so you can use the bathroom, get your coffee and do whatever else you might need to do. There is a Chevron gas station close by as well.
- The nearest bike shop is Wheels in Motion on First Street in downtown Benicia. They are open 11 am to 6 pm most days but closed on Sunday.