October 19, 2015 – Clouds and sun, 65 degrees

Miles Today: 38

Miles to Date: 8,676

States to Date: 25

More tootling around San Jose and talking with Silicon Valley folks. San Jose has a few lovely residential areas and several blocks of real downtown, but it never feels like a city just shy of a million people. San Jose actually has more residents than San Francisco. Just a precursor to the urban sprawl I will witness for miles in LA.

Throughout Silicon Valley I’ve been warned more about my safety than in any other area of the country. People here are wary of the ongoing war between cyclists and motorists. The epicenter of the controversy is on Kings Mountain Road in the tony town of Woodside where cycle-haters have put tacks along this narrow, scenic road to blow out tires. Not just sprinkled them on the surface, but actually glued them point up to the pavement. Its on the news, wrongdoers are being sought, and lawsuits are threatened.

Locals don’t like the weekend cyclists and I imagine the cyclists may not be the most law-abiding of vehicles. But sabotage that could injure someone? We need perspective. I stay to designated trails and paved roads. I might get a blow-out or be struck by someone, but I doubt it would be purposeful. Around here, others disagree with my cheery perspective.