To do it, Jason Montano is out of bed at 5 a.m., and after a sumptuous breakfast ("pack those calories") and pedaling through the streets of Oakland, tops Skyline by 6:30. "By now, I have a good feeling about how my legs are feeling." He cruises downhill into Moraga, then from there, starts the ride out to Walnut Creek.

By 7:30, he's staring up at Diablo, 3,849 feet, and off he goes, a 35- mile pull from the valley floor, 17 miles from the state-park entrance kiosk on North Gate Road.

"This ride has gotten me through good times and bad," Montano said. "It's a beautiful ride, to get out on top of the mountain early, and it has the best view of the Bay Area. After you get done with a four- or five-hour ride, it gives you the gift of an empty mind. You can enjoy things as they are. To me, that's powerful medicine."

Montano, 32, the owner of Montano Velo, a bike shop in Oakland, is one of the Bay Area's most avid riders. We got together for a ride and discussed his favorite bike rides and new trends for the region.

The timing was ideal. The late-summer/fall season is one of the most popular for riding in the Bay Area, both on the twisty two-laners on early weekend mornings, as well as mountain-bike routes.

"The sport is driven by the weather," Montano said. "Late summer and fall can be perfect. Not too hot. No rain. No wind. It's a sweet spot for cyclists."

Montano tries to see biking prospects from the eyes of all users. His wife, Brenda, recently took up cycling, and between them, their outlook spans that of most riders.

On one hand, Jason admits "I've been obsessed with riding, and finding the best rides." On the other hand, he's had to figure out a way not only to connect with the public to share that expertise, but also with his wife -- so when they head out together, it's more of a celebration than a head-down grind.

"I got a new bike last week, and I really love it, love the ride," Brenda said. "But you know, he can be crazy." She skips the grueling endurance tests and technical mountain-bike rides, and enjoys the sport for the simple pleasure.

Crystal ball

Because Montano always seems to be working on, selling or riding bikes, he is constantly connecting with other cyclists of all levels and backgrounds. So his view of the sport often includes glimpses of the future. In addition, Brenda works for the East Bay Regional Park District. Together, they often see what's coming, not only for bikes, but for recreational opportunities in the field.

Here are their predictions:

Stable pedaling platform: Mountain bikes with elaborate rear suspensions can sap the energy of a rider going uphill. New technology isolates the drive train, called "anti-bobbing," but it's still very expensive, typically $3,000 and up. "They'll find a way to mass produce it and the price will go down," Montano said.

'Double track' trails: Mountain bikers are not welcome on most narrow hiking trails, yet this more intimate experience is exactly what most desire. The answer is building "double track" trails. They are twice as wide as hiking trails, yet far narrower than a ranch road. This has been tested successfully at a few parks.

Comeback: Lightweight steel bikes will be the future, Montano predicted. "What everybody's trying with carbon-fiber and aluminum can be achieved with lightweight steel. It will be the perfect combination between a comfortable ride and a lightweight ride."

Pricing: A quality entry-level mountain bike costs $600 (about $800 for a road bike), with the high-end bikes costing more than $3,000. Yet cheaply made imports can be bought at some chain stores for $150. "I don't see pricing changing much in the future, relative to inflation," Montano said.

Roll, don't run: "In the Bay Area, I see biking as replacing jogging," Montano said. "We have people in their 80s who bike. If you run, you can't do that, from all the jarring."

Bay Area, bike central: "You've got a savvy public that is very healthy and active, and excellent places to ride," Montano said. "In other parts of the country, some think of a bike as a toy, something they grow out of, not into, and there aren't a lot of great places to go. But once you see it as a vehicle for your physical and mental health, biking is something you can do for life. It's a doorway to health and a new world of enjoyment."

To contact Jason Montano at Montano Velo, phone (510) 654-8356; www.montanovelo.com.

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