Northern California - San Jose to Gilroy?

We're going to my in-laws house in Gilroy for Thanksgiving. I'd like to ride down there from San Jose. Are there any other routes besides Monterrey Hwy to get down there? Thanks!

You can take Santa Teresa Blvd. Just follow it, it becomes Hale ave, until you hit a three way stop. Turn left, then right at the light. You will be on Monterey but that section is actually has good roads and wide shoulder.

UD

There's also the Coyote Creek bikepath that runs from near Hellyer Park, down to Morgan Hill. From there, take the back roads to Gilroy, like Foothill Avenue.

Or you can turn right at Bailey from Santa Teresa and follow Uvas for a little detour with some hills.

I gone down to Gilroy on both the east and west side of the valley. I think I prefer the west side. It's great to get down to Morgan Hill on the CC trail, but the back roads between Morgan Hill and Gilroy on the east side are not very good. Plus, it can get really windy over there.

I would either take Santa Teresa into Morgan Hill, and pick it back up again just south of town, or take McKean, Uvas, Watsonville.

you can also cut through Almaden and go by the reservoirs to get there... not sure the best route (since I don't know your actual destination in Gilroy) once you get into morgan hill but you can get all the way to 152 via Watsonville Road

Thanks for the replies! My destination is actually outside of town on the west side, off of Hwy. 152 right before you head up the hill towards Watsonville. I wouldn't mind the ride over Watsonville Rd. between Morgan Hill and 152.

Thanks for the replies! My destination is actually outside of town on the west side, off of Hwy. 152 right before you head up the hill towards Watsonville. I wouldn't mind the ride over Watsonville Rd. between Morgan Hill and 152.

that would be a nice ride too... Almaden to McKean to Uvas to Watsonville to 152 ... don't forget to post pics for us! :thumb:

Riding 152 is just insane, you're asking to die. I've ridden down the other side into Watsonville, but I rode up the back way, Old Mount Madonna Road, to get to the summit. Riding up Hecker Pass in that traffic with those blind curves? You couldn't pay me enough to do that.

Riding 152 is just insane, you're asking to die. I've ridden down the other side into Watsonville, but I rode up the back way, Old Mount Madonna Road, to get to the summit. Riding up Hecker Pass in that traffic with those blind curves? You couldn't pay me enough to do that.

he's only riding to a point just beyond 152 where there is still a reasonable shoulder. I definately wouldn't recommend going much further than where Watsonville road comes in...

I'd be turning left onto 152 from Watsonville and going about half a mile, just past the wineries. I wouldn't go further than that for anything. That road blows.

Ah, gotcha. That bit near the wineries is fine, as you well know. If you get a chance, ride out towards Old Gilroy. I know a nice loop out in that area that is just gorgeous, past old houses and farms that look the way much of Gilroy probably looked 75 years ago.

Have fun at on that ride! I would take Santa Teresa, myself (I only have one gear), but coming back is all hell windy.

that would be a nice ride too... Almaden to McKean to Uvas to Watsonville to 152 ... don't forget to post pics for us! :thumb:

Correct!!!


PS- yoou said you were gonna call me(months ago):mad:

Windy??? How often do you all ride bikes? Wind will not hurt you. Its also fall, the wind is minimal. I ride the rouds listed all the time. Just like the others on the peninsula.:rolleyes:

Wind hurts my ears.