bobonker

I rode from work (Sunnyvale) and the Calaveras/Sierra loop and headed back. 45 mile round trip. I started by making my way over to the Guadalupe River Trail and taking that south until I hit the San Jose airport. Then I jumped off at Airport Expwy which became Brokaw, then Murphy, then Hostetter . That was the only part of the ride where I was really stressed out. There was a bike lane for most of it, but at 5:30 pm, there were TONS of cars and some erratic/impatient driving.

Here's the route I took:
Bike Ride Profile | Build 1-34: Y!/Calaveras/Sierra Rd loop CW -- 220 .87 near Sunnyvale | Times and Records | Strava

Is it any better if I head further south and maybe cutover on Taylor? This was a really nice ride and I'd like to do it again if I can find a less sketchy way to get over to Piedmont Rd. I could drive east on 237 and start closer, but at that time of the day, 237 is often a parking lot. So, best use of my time is to ride.

Thanks,
Sonny

MetinUz

I used to work in that area years ago, and would have taken Tasman to Montague (continue on Landess) to Piedmont. I don't know if the Great Mall traffic makes this a lot more unpleasant now, and going over 680 ramp is not fun.

Kniwt

Of a bunch of suboptimal options, your best bet -- and certainly the most direct -- is probably just to stay on Tasman all the way to Sierra. The street changes names to Great Mall (at 880) and then to Capitol. There's a bike lane all the way, but various parts of it have been closed recently due to the BART construction, forcing cyclists into a take-the-lane situation.

If nothing else, it's certainly a whole lot better than Hostetter, which is a crappy mess and a half.

penguinwatcher

I live close to Tasman/Montague intersection so I travel some of these streets sometimes.
Taking Tasman is one option. Tasman has bike lane and not too bad traffic, but around Great Mall there lots of cars and then a bit further where they build Bart extension Tasman get to single lane with cars getting confused and frustrated
if you want to make a ride a bit more relaxing consider going on 237 bike trail (from Lafayette to McCarty Blvd), then cross McCarthy and continue on Coyote creek trail till Dixon landing. Take Dixon landing > Hetch Hetchy trail > Escuella parkway > Jackling > Evans
The only unpleasant part is Dixon Landing / 880 intersection and the garbage dump nearby.