Starting in downtown Saratoga (just outside San Jose), the climbing kicks up in a hurry as the route begins climbing CA 9’s stiff 7-percent grade almost from the get-go. After cresting the 2,600-foot climb at mile 7, the ride rolls up and over CA 236 to Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Scope out massive redwoods before continuing on to Jameson Creek for a will-testing 3-mile, 1,300-foot climb up to Bonny Doon. The route follows the ridgeline to Empire Grade before diving down a somewhat technical descent into Felton. Fill up bottles at the community park, and gear up for the last big push of the day, a 2,700-foot test of endurance up Zayante Road. Cap off the ride with high-speed descent back to Saratoga down the day’s first climb. Century Option
Continuine down Bonny Doon to CA 1 and add in the Davenport-Swanton Loop.
-Mapped by Russ Stevens
Photo 7
Location: Unknown
Short hill on the pretty Swanton Rd
Still climbing CA-9
Location: 37.259435°, -122.095742°
Saratoga Start/Finish
Location: 37.258616°, -122.032356°
There is a parking lot at the corner of Saratoga Avenue and Saratoga Los Gatos Road from which you can launch the ride. Bring supplies or stock up locally before you roll out.
Climbing Highway 9
Location: 37.247821°, -122.071838°
The ride begin climbing CA 9 almost right away. This climb up and over the Santa Cruz mountains gains 2,619 feet in just under seven miles (an approximate 7-percent grade). The light traffic and good shoulders make for a relatively stress-free riding environment.
CA 9 Summit
Location: 37.258581°, -122.122135°
Top of Highway 9
The reward at the top of Highway 9 isn't so much the view but the knowledge that the next six miles are all downhill.
CA 236
Location: 37.212046°, -122.156897°
One of the more scenic roads on this the route, CA 236 is tight, hilly, and flanked on both sides by 200-foot tall redwood trees. Early morning mist is often trapped by the thick redwood canopy, so a jacket, vest, or arm warmers may come in handy.
Note: This section of road is commonly used by tourists visiting Big Basin State Park. Campers, minivans, and SUV's are common along this stretch.
Fog on CA 236 into Big Basin
Location: 37.200800°, -122.163162°
Pedaling through the Fog on Hwy 236
Location: 37.199159°, -122.197323°
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Location: 37.173175°, -122.222214°
Putting things into perspective: a giant redwood in Big Basin.
Originally founded in 1902, <a href="http://www.bigbasin.org/">Big Basin Redwoods State Park</a> has over 18,000 acres of redwood forest, and 80 miles of trail snaking through lush coastal vegetation. Water and facilities are available at the main parking lot on the right side of CA 236.
Downhill
Location: 37.166464°, -122.187710°
From here the next four miles are all downhill, with two tight horseshoe turns clearly marked with 20-m.p.h. speed limit signs.
Snack Shack
Location: 37.153887°, -122.161832°
Ideal place to grab some salty snacks, or a mid-ride Snickers, stop by the snack shack at Boulder Creek Country Club on your right. Bonus: cool off on hot days at the shack's air conditioning.
Jameson Creek Road
Location: 37.146703°, -122.158527°
The next three miles rise nearly 1,300 feet, on a steep, narrow connector road used mostly by locals and only lightly traveled by cars.
The steep and lonely Jameson Creek Road
Location: 37.143488°, -122.181358°
Felton Empire Descent
Location: 37.058328°, -122.122736°
Wickedly fast, this screaming downhill twists around 15-m.p.h. horseshoes with no guardrails and inversely banked grades. The descent is a bike-handling challenge to be sure, but certainly doable (especially if you ride cautiously).
Felton Community Park
Location: 37.051341°, -122.070637°
Take a moment and check out Felton's historic Covered Bridge spanning over the San Lorenzo River (in the back right corner of the park). Water and restrooms are also available.
Note: This is the last place to grab water, short of using a homeowner's hose, so remember to fill up.
Zayante Road
Location: 37.056342°, -122.060080°
The speed limit is 35, but cars constantly drive 50. There is a shoulder, but it's small, and multiple hidden driveways complicate matters, so ride cautiously along this stretch.
This is also the beginning of the last major climb of the day. The next 10.5 miles gain 1,750 feet of elevation running at a constant six to seven percent grade.
Yet another tough climb up Zayante Road.
Location: 37.105985°, -122.021198°
Beer Creek Junction
Location: 37.165925°, -122.015963°
Be extremely careful turning left here: the turn is blind on both sides, and cars tend drive way over the speed limit.
Skyline Boulevard
Location: 37.167430°, -122.025576°
Turn right onto Skyline Boulevard, a narrow one-lane mountain road with two-way traffic. Note: The road is seldom used, but always be cautious of the cars that may be approaching from ahead or behind.
Skyline opens up into two-lanes at Black Road.
Location: 37.205722°, -122.047978°
CA 9 Descent
Location: 37.257557°, -122.119560°
The return trip on Highway 9 can be a blast, but don't get too complacent while navigating the roads. Some of the tight turns can be hard to judge at speed.
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