Northern California - Getting from Gilroy to the coast

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damnpoor
04-03-08, 06:53 PM
Does anyone know a good route to get from Gilroy or Morgan Hill over onto the coast? I've searched maps and driven a few of the main roads, and nothing seems very desirable for a bicycle. I'd like to not drive up to San Jose to find a route over the hills. Any ideas?

redspoke
04-03-08, 07:06 PM
Does anyone know a good route to get from Gilroy or Morgan Hill over onto the coast? I've searched maps and driven a few of the main roads, and nothing seems very desirable for a bicycle. I'd like to not drive up to San Jose to find a route over the hills. Any ideas?

Mt. Madonna over to Watsonville. Yes there are some crazy curves near the summit but you'll be going as fast as the cars. ;)
ken cummings
04-03-08, 08:04 PM
If you do not mind a few miles on the 101 shoulder you could go south and use HWY 129. Looks flatter too.

SteveE
04-03-08, 10:47 PM
Redwood Retreat Rd. to Mt. Madonna to Hazel Dell to Corralitos? I have a copy of Grant Peterson's Roads to Ride South. Say's it's unpaved at the top but ridable. Never ridden it myself, though.
BottleRocket
04-04-08, 02:15 AM
152 and 129 are your only paved options from Gilroy or Morgan Hill and like you said, neither are very desireable on a bike traffic wise.
SteveE's idea sounds interesting to try if you had the right bike. I've never heard of that route.
BigSean
04-04-08, 08:27 AM
Redwood Retreat Rd. to Mt. Madonna to Hazel Dell to Corralitos? I have a copy of Grant Peterson's Roads to Ride South. Say's it's unpaved at the top but ridable. Never ridden it myself, though.

Some of the guys in our club do this route, its ridable for sure.
paxtonm
04-07-08, 01:23 PM
Hi,

Sounds "wrong" but 101 to 129 would get my vote. I've ridden both paved routes. 152 is fun, but the regulars tend to take the Santa Cruz County side of the summit pretty fast. It was a long time ago when a teenage driver reaching for a cassette tape killed four cyclists on the Gilroy side of 152. Parts of 129 are narrow, but it's a delightful ride. Or, you can get off 101 at 129, ride toward San Juan, take Anzar Road to Carr Ave., up Carpenteria to Watsonville Road, and either into Watsonville and out to the coast on Beach or via one of several routes to Moss Landing. Lots of possibilities. If you haven't got a Krebs map, it's worth twice its price