Bay Area: Calaveras Road (Milpitas, CA)

[rdprdp01]

It began as an animal trail along a creek, later used by Native Americans for hunting and navigating a beautiful, unforgiving landscape. Before European explorers arrived, the area around Milpitas was inhabited by the Tamyen Ohlone tribe. An Indian village once stood near the corner of Calaveras Road and Old Piedmont Road. Europeans encouraged the Ohlone to move on and claimed the land and village for future Catholic settlers. In the 1980s, the last remnants of the village were buried when the Calvary Assembly of God purchased the land to build a Church Complex. Although Christian charity has removed most traces of Indian heritage, the land remains pristine. A paved road, Calaveras, was built on the trail. Although I will defer to the Forum’s linguist and great adventure rider pdedse, I believe Calaveras is Spanish for skulls. The Spanish were surprised to find skulls lining the creek beds, a constant reminder that the Indians were not going to leave without a fight.

Calaveras Road is popular with cyclists and motorcyclists. These two tribes have learned from the past and show mutual respect and consideration for one another. When I ride Calaveras on a road bike or motorcycle, I find myself completely in the moment. As the road winds, it often narrows to a single lane. Most of the road has no shoulder, and even fewer fences. It winds, twists, climbs, and descends as it always has. During the week, cars occasionally use the road when Interstate 680 becomes congested. But during the weekend, the road belongs to those on two wheels. See a few pictures I recently captured and a highlight video my new camera created using its AI Director. If you find yourself in the East Bay on a motorcycle, Calaveras Road is 12 miles worth traversing. Have a great Memorial Day Weekend. David















AI Generated Foolishness

[pdedse]

Ineed, that looks like a very fine road to ride one's CB1100.  I love when folks post blow-up maps of their outings as it makes the ride more real.  And then I get curious and check the area on maps.  It looks like one could continue on Calaveras and wind your way south to hiway 130...whcih looks like there's a lot of switchback fun there.  And then either Mines road back north to do a loop or head even farther east on 130 for a larger loop?



My daughter in San Diego wants me to cat-watch for 10 days in July.  I could fly down there...or I could ride the CB.  Hmmm, if I only knew of some folks along the way to break up the trip.  Egads, my back is already telling me to fly.

Bike looks superb, as always!

[rdprdp01]

If you ride the CB1100 to San Diego, midway you will have a comfortable place to stay and be treated like the Prince you are. A comfortable, beautiful ride will be well planned too. But there will be no camping and sleeping on the ground.

[Cormanus]

Love the pictures, rdprdp01.

And this statement, "Christian charity has removed most traces of Indian heritage"!

[Randy B]

I do miss riding the foothills around San Jose. But the more popular roads I would avoid like the plague. Too many people treat those roads like their own personal racetrack... with public traffic.

[Gone in 60]

Hey Paul, ride down, you can crash with us when you hit O.C.!

[pdedse]

Hey Paul, ride down, you can crash with us when you hit O.C.!

Thanks!  Would love to.   I'm considering it...I'd be cat sitting for 7-10 days and my daughter has a vehicle if I flew there--wait,...it's MY vehicle...I forgot I'm loaning it to her!  But I'd love to have 10 days of exploring more S.California on a bike.  When i did this on my RE INT650 three years ago, I got to swim every day at the UCSD pools, do walks along La Jolla beaches (from her place a 10 min. walk), and then figure out a ride each day.  I'd go on the CB1100 if it works out.  

But anyway I slice it, it's still at least a 1100 mile trip one way, more like 1300 with the routes I'd take.  So I'm asking myself if I can take 4 days at 300-350 miles each day.  Never was a concern a few years ago, but now?...we'll see.

[Cormanus]

Sounds like my idea of an excellent trip, pdedse.

[Gone in 60]

Hey Paul, ride down, you can crash with us when you hit O.C.!

Thanks!  Would love to.   I'm considering it...I'd be cat sitting for 7-10 days and my daughter has a vehicle if I flew there--wait,...it's MY vehicle...I forgot I'm loaning it to her!  But I'd love to have 10 days of exploring more S.California on a bike.  When i did this on my RE INT650 three years ago, I got to swim every day at the UCSD pools, do walks along La Jolla beaches (from her place a 10 min. walk), and then figure out a ride each day.  I'd go on the CB1100 if it works out.  

But anyway I slice it, it's still at least a 1100 mile trip one way, more like 1300 with the routes I'd take.  So I'm asking myself if I can take 4 days at 300-350 miles each day.  Never was a concern a few years ago, but now?...we'll see.

Well, it’s just too bad that you don’t know anyone in Southern California with too many motorcycles…