Harun

One of the areas I've been trying to branch out my riding is the area south of Gilroy and beyond. I just got an all-terrain bike from santa so I am trying to explore some of the mixed terrain around the area. I am looking for road rides, dirt rides (everything but pure DH type stuff), and any combination thereof.

* For Henry Coe, I've always just rode E. Dunne to the top where the HQ trailheads are and back down, or around the foothills of Gilroy Hot Springs/Hunting Hollow. Has anybody ever ridden all the way through Henry Coe, starting on the E.Dunne side, going south down to Kaiser Aetna Rd?

* I've heard of people riding Upper San Antonio Valley off of CA-130 and following Coyote Creek down to Henry Coe. It looks like there is quite a bit of non-state-park territory riding involved. Any Advice? I'm not scared of rough terrain, wild hogs, mountain lions, or poison oak, but private property and 2nd amendment exercising landowners...

* Any roads/rides I should check out around Hollister and Salinas? I know of Fremont Peak and San Juan Bautista, but anything else? The whole area between 101, 152 and 5 looks like prime 'middle of nowhere' riding potential.

Thanks for any help.

shotwellian

I recently wrote a short article for the Chronicle's bike blog about some of my favorite routes in the area. You can check it out here -- let me know if you have any questions on these routes!

Jiminni

Go into the Monterey/Carmel Valley area....tons of rides there