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Trails north of Moffet Field

I want to ride to the Google complex tonight from San Jose. Google Maps advises me to take the San Francisco Bay Trail and Moffet Field Trail which run north of Moffet Field, apparently on dikes out in the salt flats.

I think I can handle the complicated turns, using screenshots which I can put on my iPad Mini and a full charge on my headlight. But I've got a recumbent road bike. Does anyone know - are these trails paved? Any more advice?

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jerrykrinock's picture

jerrykrinock

December 20, 2012 - 11:47pm

Well, I tried it. Both the San Francisco Bay Trail and the Moffet Field Trail are dirt except for the first couple hundred meters which are paved. It was a fun adventure riding through the salt ponds in the dark, but not an optimal commute :)) I had to go around a few muddy puddles, spent 5-10 minutes backtracking due to wrong turns. Yea, no falls. Arrived a half hour late. These trails will be unusable when wet.

So, on the way home I went via Stevens Creek Trail and Central Expressway, and that's what I'll be doing in the future.

pmackay's picture

pmackay

December 26, 2012 - 11:21pm

I work on Moffett Park Drive so I'd be inclined to take that from the Bay Trail over to Ellis, taking a right onto Fairchild just under (south of) 101, following it around (Leong Drive) to Stephens Creek Trail. Pavement the whole way if I'm not mistaken, and reasonably safe (at least from my experience on that route). Coming from Santa Clara I take the San Tomas Acquino trail daily up to the Bay Trail and over through Baylands Park across Caribbean Drive. There are bike lanes and sensors along my entire commute, and I can vouch that the Ellis Road sensor works (not that you need it) because I head that way over to Foothill to climb hills after work in the summer. I used to ride Central lots, just wasn't a fan of the on-ramp merges (and they narrowed the buffer in places a few years back, too).

OK, now that I look on Google Maps that Leong Drive connection to the Stephens Creek trail looks a little iffy. I've ridden and chatted with Google commuters (and roadies) on Moffett Park Drive before, though, so I'm betting there's a (friendly) connector over there somewhere.

Good Luck, and Happy Boxing Day!

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