[nblumberg]

went on another exploratory ride today – somewhat depressing to know that to get to a good drive, you have to hit the highway for 15-20minutes first… anyway, I thought I’d keep sharing.

I’d always liked the roads in between Watsonville and Morgan Hill, so I decided to start at a place I remember some Porsche sponsored rally started out a few years back. I got off of 85/101 at Bernal Rd. and turned south on Santa Teresa Blvd, then Right on Bailey Ave. That takes you up to the Calero Reservoir, and a left takes you on McKean Rd out by Cinnabar Hills Golf Club. Heading south on what turns into Uvas Rd, is a simply nice countryside ride. The ~60-90mph sweepers are nice with the road being somewhat bumpy, but not to the extent it is uncomfortable or challenging to keep balance. Through tree covered areas, narrow bridges, and farmland, it is gorgeous… no one out there this Saturday morning except some bicycles and a couple of stray cars. Further down you come out of the trees to see Uvas Reservoir in front of you which you then follow its for around 2 miles. Some sense of a still tranquility was cut down the middle with the sound of 4 cylinders roaring in each ear – a delight. Upon reaching Watsonville Rd, I turned left and made my way through Morgan Hill back to 101N. Nearly escaped a 5-6 car CHP speed trap on my way back…

To potentially extend the trip (which I may do in the future), a right on Watsonville Rd. will take you down to 152 Hecker Pass Rd (Mt. Madonna) to drop you in to Watsonville – which from there you can play on 1, etc. I know there are some drop dead gorgeous roads tucked in to what I think is north of 152 and west of Uvas Rd. Perhaps I’ll get out there with the Jeep and a GPS to figure out where they were…