Saratoga and Stevens Canyon

I did one of the rides in South Bay Bike Trails on Wednesday afternoon. It's a shortie -- only about 10 miles -- but I was only looking for a scenic way to my allergy shot. ;)

So, for you locals looking for a short jaunt:

• Get down to Saratoga, the eastern terminus of Highway 9.
  
• Take Highway 9 about 1.5 miles to Pierce Road. It's a sharp uphill right-hander; follow the signs for the Paul Masson Winery.
  
• Turn left onto Mt Eden road about a mile later. This one's easy to miss; again, you want to follow the signs for the wineries.
  
• Continue on Mt Eden for just over 2 miles, becoming more and more jealous of the people who own the houses that you're riding past
  
• At the stop sign, go straight onto Stevens Canyon Road.
  
• The next mile or so on Stevens Canyon follows alongside the Stevens Creek Reservoir. The visitor parking areas can be busy on weekends, as a lot of people fish around here. Watch for cars. During the week, you're more likely to see trucks carrying stuff to/from the nearby Permanente limestone quarry. Watch for quarry debris (sand, fine gravel) in the road, though it's usually not heavy enough to cause wonky handling.
  
• Stevens Canyon becomes Foothill Expressway once you get into Cupertino. It'll intersect with Stevens Creek Rd, which is the main east-west thoroughfare to get you back to Hwy 85 or De Anza Rd (for Hwy 280).
  

Comments

[C J Silverio]

I've done exactly that ride, in reverse, on a bicycle :) Stevens Canyon was where I saw tarantulas on the road, I think during a hot September.

[carolyn]

Oh, gee, thanks, Ceej. Peter: When CJ says "tarantulas," she means "cute little fluffy bunny rabbits," and therefore you can still go riding on those roads with me. :D

I've done the route in reverse as well, usually accidentally while puttering around Stevens Canyon. I think I like starting at Hwy 9 more -- generally, I like ascending 9 more than descending it. You do get better views of pretty houses along Mt Eden doing the reverse route, though.

[C J Silverio]

C'mon, if I can handle some furry spiders while I'm wearing lycra shorts on a wussy pushbike, Peter can handle them while he's wearing leather and big macho boots astride the Superhawk.

[carolyn]

You'd think! *giggle*