What's the best road bike path from Castro Valley to East Oakland (near the zoo?)?

Question

I'm looking at bike commuting the 10 miles from Castro Valley to my work on Keller Avenue in Oakland. Interested in taking Lake Chabot Road around the western shore, but the road seems bike-unfriendly... I understand there are bike paths along the western shore; are they useful for commuting?

Answer 1

Hmmmm, take the high road (above 580) and some of the most scenic and challenging climbs in the Bay Area. Take the flatland route (Mission/Macarthur) and there are some dicey neighborhoods. Hard to describe but you may be able to combine the two.

511.org has a bike route map tool. Think mapquest .... for bikes!!

East Bay Bike Coalition has one too.

Contact a local bike club like San Leandro's Cherry City Cycling Club and ask them for suggestions or go on some of their rides for guided route tours of the area.

Then try your route on a weekend, see how it works.