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Riding buddies

I

Ishvir

New member
Joined
May 4, 2026
Moto(s)
ZX-4RR
Hey everyone, recently moved to Livermore from Sacramento area and am looking for people to ride with and to get better with. So far mainly just been riding up to Lake Del Valle trying to get better, but am a bit afraid to hit mines since Ive heard it’s pretty sketchy I ride a zx4rr and hope to meet other who are like minded and want to ride together safely but have fun and get better.
 
I am not sure I would call Mines sketchy, but I support you riding where you feel comfortable. While you are progressing, there is a lot to be said for riding solo.
 
Greenville out to the following: Tesla Rd. Patterson Pass, Midway, Corral Hollow, etc.

Challenging, less traveled. Save Mines for when you are feeling more confident and/or riding behind someone like FLH03HRider.
 
Welcome. I live in Pleasanton and know a great road in our area - Altamont Pass Road in Livermore.
It runs from N. Vasco where it starts as Northfront Rd, then becomes Altamont Pass Rd out to Grant Line Rd. I turn around there and go back.
It's maybe 7 miles long with wide lanes and sweeping turns and great scenery. It sorta parallels the 580 Freeway and has a speed limit of 55 which shows it's not full of tight turns a la Mines Rd.

I'd be glad to meet up with you this Sunday around 1:00 and we can do a lap or two. Easy pace. I'm on a 2022 white and blue Suzuki Hayabusa.
There's a McDonalds at the corner of N. Vasco and Northfront if you want to meet there.

And it doesn't have to be just us, anyone else want to join?
 
Cornfish said:
I am not sure I would call Mines sketchy, but I support you riding where you feel comfortable. While you are progressing, there is a lot to be said for riding solo.
Click to expand...
Im not opposed to trying it but i just know its hella long and i would have to go solo since i don’t know anyone out here.
 
greenmonster said:
Welcome. I live in Pleasanton and know a great road in our area - Altamont Pass Road in Livermore.
It runs from N. Vasco where it starts as Northfront Rd, then becomes Altamont Pass Rd out to Grant Line Rd. I turn around there and go back.
It's maybe 7 miles long with wide lanes and sweeping turns and great scenery. It sorta parallels the 580 Freeway and has a speed limit of 55 which shows it's not full of tight turns a la Mines Rd.

I'd be glad to meet up with you this Sunday around 1:00 and we can do a lap or two. Easy pace. I'm on a 2022 white and blue Suzuki Hayabusa.
There's a McDonalds at the corner of N. Vasco and Northfront if you want to meet there.

And it doesn't have to be just us, anyone else want to join?
Click to expand...
Im down bro, you got instagram or something?
 
BillSmith said:
Greenville out to the following: Tesla Rd. Patterson Pass, Midway, Corral Hollow, etc.

Challenging, less traveled. Save Mines for when you are feeling more confident and/or riding behind someone like FLH03HRider.
Click to expand...
I’ll definitely check those roads out, who is FLH03HRider tho lol?
 
I've ridden Mines Rd a number of times but to me it's a long slog of narrow pavement and tight blind turns.
I'm always afraid some kid in a lowered Civic will come barreling around one of those corners.
I wouldn't call it sketchy but you gotta be on your best behavior with eyes wide open every second, especially if you're pushing speed.

Some love Mines, to me it's too much work to get through.
 
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I spent ~25 years in Livermore, and Livermore - SanJo - Livermore over Mines was my favorite and most frequent weekend ride, occasional "long commute" route to/from the Silly Con Valley, and a place to break in new motors.

(such as 2017.. Cal BMW new bike day -> Skyline -> 9 -> hook around the souf bay -> observatory -> Mines -> home.. oil + filter, and there's your break-in done)
1780673527801.jpeg

The road is not "sketchy" and is in fact one of the best roads I've ever ridden, and I've been around. I miss having it near, and it was about the only thing I miss about California -- friends, food, and Mines. (Scale says says food was #1, whateva...)

But it can be problematic for new riders who combine youthful overconfidence with an immature "riding brain" that hasn't yet had the freeze/panic response worked out of it. So absolutely ride Mines Rd, but adjust the pace so you stay in that "chill flow" zone, no surprises, no stress. Monitor your breathing. If it's anything other than slow and and regular, it means you're pushing things beyond what your brain can comfortably handle, and it's a good sign to dial back until you're in the chill zone again.

It's like with martial arts, sports, music, etc. Takes years to train the brain to perform at a high level and a high speed, in the flow state, handling whatever surprises without skipping a beat. There are no shortcuts to this. So yeah approach your limits to grow, but push them gently. Don't get sucked in over your head trying to match the pace of experienced people. The same corner, the same speed can be a "this is so normal/boring, I am napping with one eye open" to them and a "red alert, I can't make this corner, panic, white knuckle, stiff arm, ride off the road" situation for a newb. That's the difference a few thousand hours of performance riding makes. (A few thousand hours of highway droning doesn't do much.. look at what happens to people who spend their lives riding in Kansas in straight lines and then go to the Dragon).
 
greenmonster said:
Met up with lshvir and we rode a lap on Altamont Pass Road today. Beautiful weather and light traffic. 70 MPH through lazy sweeping turns.
An hour later I was back home to do my other weekend stuff.

Short but sweet. You other riders should join in next time :cool:
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Was a pleasure to meet and ride with you! Hopefully do more rides in the future!
 
Mines Rd is great, but yeah, I would ride that with a buddy - if the worst happens (or even if you get a flat tire and your phone is dead) it's a hassle. Plus, y'know, it's a lot of corners and some are sneaky and it's good to go with someone who knows it well. Plus, y'know, riding with buddies is fun!
 
If you're already doing Altamont Pass Road... might as well make it the "Electric Loop"

www.motorcycleroads.com

The Electric Loop

The Electric Loop | Route Ref. #36444 | California,United States
www.motorcycleroads.com www.motorcycleroads.com

1781282214777.png
 
greenmonster said:
Met up with lshvir and we rode a lap on Altamont Pass Road today. Beautiful weather and light traffic. 70 MPH through lazy sweeping turns.
An hour later I was back home to do my other weekend stuff.

Short but sweet. You other riders should join in next time :cool:
Click to expand...
You're gonna hafta move a little north for me, but yeah. :thumbup
 
One of the games I like to play while solo riding is to find as many spots as possible where a rider could go over the edge and not be seen for a few days if no one saw the actual incident itself.

Then I think about how many angry animals I could fend off if I were trapped under my bike for those few days.

Then I typically slow down a little.

:laughing
 
What was the name of the girl on BARF who that happened to, about 15 years ago or so?
 
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