Northern California - lateral commute route across south bay?

Hi..I just started a new commute that has me going from campbell/west sj to Palo Alto. The top half of it is a no-brainer -- foothill expressway rocks -- but I'm trying to figure out a decent way to hook up with it. Today I tried San Tomas->Homestead but the lights on homestead really slowed me down. Anybody have a better suggestion? I'm going to try this one next: http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Campbell-to-Palo-Alto-Alternate but I'm not sure it's going to be much better..

(crosspost to svbc list)

I would go with the one you found on bikely.com with only a couple minor modifications:

1. From Bubb Road, make a left on Hyannisport Dr. It will connect back to McClellan. You'll avoid the light at Bubb and McClellan, but there are two or three stop signs instead, and maybe less traffic.

2. As you go down McClellan past Deep Cliff golf course, you'll make your way up a short hill (if you pick up some speed, your momentum will carry you up a good distance). Rather than making the hairpin left turn at the peak of that mini-hill, make a right turn on to Mira Vista Road, and then left on Palm Ave. That will run into Foothill where you make a right.



I used to live in Cupertino and rode into downtown SJ on Homestead. Depending on where you live in Campbell/ west San Jose, you're still going to have a bunch of lights going down Campbell Ave. until you get past Lawrence Exp. Prospect has 3 or 4 lights, but you have some good long stretches and can probably time the lights.

www.bicycling.511.org should do the trick. Has bike and commute route maps for the entire bay area. Just clikc on the buttons leading to the set of south bay maps

...make a right turn on to Mira Vista Road, and then left on Palm Ave. That will run into Foothill where you make a right. I would go one further and turn right on Palo Vista Rd. from Palm Ave., left on Rancho Ventura St., and then right on Foothill. This avoids one light and allows a turn onto Foothill at a wide section of the road which is basically a wide outside lane with no cars. You can roll through and onto Foothill.

SteveE

I would go with the one you found on bikely.com with only a couple minor modifications:

I used to live in Cupertino and rode into downtown SJ on Homestead. Depending on where you live in Campbell/ west San Jose, you're still going to have a bunch of lights going down Campbell Ave. until you get past Lawrence Exp. Prospect has 3 or 4 lights, but you have some good long stretches and can probably time the lights.

actually I made that route :) I just updated it with suggestions like yours.

I rode this way home tonight, mostly - I messed up and turned north up bubb instead of south. But it was mostly pretty good. Much better to make the lateral stretch across Prospect vs Homestead and the rest is gravy.

I would go one further and turn right on Palo Vista Rd. from Palm Ave., left on Rancho Ventura St., and then right on Foothill. This avoids one light and allows a turn onto Foothill at a wide section of the road which is basically a wide outside lane with no cars. You can roll through and onto Foothill.

SteveE


touche

toucheWhen you're running late, every second counts! I live in the Monta Vista H.S./Kennedy M.S./Lincoln E.S. area, so I know it very well.

i don't know that area at all and i really appreciate the tips!

it seems quite pleasant in that neighborhood -- it's southern cupertino, i guess? some residual hilliness makes for interesting street layouts and some nice variety. once you cross de anza on prospect heading back towards lawrence it's just...nothing

my 40 mile commute day yesterday wore me out pretty good so today i took the train both ways, with the fixie for the stretches to and from the train station. tomorrow hopefully will be able to get out a little early and do the extended ride home through stevens canyon->mt eden->pierce *fingers crossed*

a 40 mile commute, with a chance to throw in stevens canyon, mt. eden, pierce.... i envy you. now that i've moved from cupertino, my commute takes me east along campbell avenue and then north on san tomas before heading east on pruneridge and on into downtown. nothing but flat, car-filled roads. <sigh>

steveE - i went to monta vista (decades ago) and then moved over to the northern edge of cupertino (near where homestead and 85 meet). i used to know the roads behind monta vista like the back of my hand, not so much anymore, now that i live in san jose.

nope, not today! damn work, always getting in the way of my riding.

thanks for reminding me to update my tagline though...

steveE - i went to monta vista (decades ago) and then moved over to the northern edge of cupertino (near where homestead and 85 meet). i used to know the roads behind monta vista like the back of my hand, not so much anymore, now that i live in san jose.My kids went/go to Kennedy and Monta Vista. The younger one graduates from MV this year. Older one currently attends DeAnza CC. Sure is convenient for getting to good riding.

- Steve