G18 from Greenfield to Carmel Valley

[gregbenner]

Has anyone ridden road G18 from Greenfield (on Hwy 101) to Carmel valley? (Laguna Seca) I'm going to be instructing at Laguna Seca raceway on friday (with tracquest) and was thinking of going for a ride on saturday. Can't tell from the map if the road goes through.

thx, greg

[linp]

Wow... track instructor! Hope you have a wonderful trip!

On Microsoft Streets and Trips 2003, I see G16, not G18 going from Greenfield to Carmel Valley. And yes, it does go all the way (40 miles) to Carmel Valley. G18 starts from Bradley and ends ~30 miles south of Greenfield.

http://www.socalsvriders.com/temp/gtoc.gif
Microsoft Streets and Trips 2003 map file (http://www.socalsvriders.com/temp/gtoc.est)
Adobe Acrobat PDF file (http://www.socalsvriders.com/temp/gtoc.pdf)

[orangetrak]

I've driven it in a car; it might be fun on a bike. Lots of 'cow grates' though, so be careful. The scenery would be nice, but it's an older road and would be better for a cruise, than say a bansai run. 2 lane ( 1 each way ) all the way.

Cheers, Doug

[bwarbiany]

That's AKA Carmel Valley Road, right? I've ridden that on my bike a year or so ago...

Great road, but it's a chip-seal surface, so you have to be a little careful... With chip-seal occasionally a little gravel/loose rocks will end up being deposited, typically right in the middle of corners...

My experience was that it wasn't too bad, and that you'll only get a little squirrely in the corners, but just figured I'd give you a heads-up...

Great road though, and watch out for bovines :D

(The day we rode, I think we almost greased two deer and two squirrels... Rod would be pissed)

[dnakase]

I find it revealing that responses are qualified with, "Nice road for a cruse..."

Some times you might want to see more than just the apex or your way through the corner.

Its a great road Greg I highly recommend it.

But it must be over 30 years since I was on it.

[gregbenner]

I find it revealing that responses are qualified with, "Nice road for a cruse..."

OK, I confess. I am instructing for trackquest, which is a track day for people with sports type cars. I spend every other 30 minute session instructing (believe i have a ZO6, and a twin turbo) and the other sessions i get to drive my GT2. Connie is driving the porsche up, and I will take the Harley. Soooooo its the harley we will be riding on saturday (Connie doesn't really like riding on the back of the SV).

On Saturday, plan to take the 25 south from Hollister to the 198, west to the 101, then north to g16, over to Carmel Valley, and back to Maonterey.

Thanks for all the input

greg

[dnakase]

Damn cager! :D j/k

[bwarbiany]

Originally posted by gregbenner
On Saturday, plan to take the 25 south from Hollister to the 198, west to the 101, then north to g16, over to Carmel Valley, and back to Monterey.


I suggest stopping off at The Pinnacles off Hwy 25 on your way through... It's pretty cool...

I'm not sure where 198 goes, but I've done just about this exact ride (San Jose->Gilroy->Hollister->King City->up Carmel Valley Rd-> and back to San Jose)...

It's a great ride... I don't know if I'd necessarily recommend Carmel Valley Road on a harley though, it's kinda tight...

[wlk12]

..be careful and alert for spots of gravel here and there. A guy in our club hit some gravel and slid into a cattle fence. Never was quite sure what happened, but it ruined his ride. Other than that, great road - did it year before last after going up Highway 1 - great ride.

[FLSVRider]

I drove on CVR about two years ago....Between 1 and 101 and all I can say is holy crap. As a flatlander from FLA that road was amazing.

Granted the surface wasnt fantasic and there were cattle grates but that is the kind of road we dream about down here.

I love that part of Cali and will be there for the SBK race at laguna and back with the wife later in the year.