One Sweet Ride

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Two great things I enjoy in life: food and riding. So it only makes sense that some of the greatest and memorable outings have a combination of both. Even Alton Brown, from the Food Network, has recognized this amazing combination and did a mini series called Feasting on Asphalt where he explored some of the best food stops in America while riding on his bike from the East to West Coast. Of course I have not done anything on that grade of a scale (yet), but I can say that some of the best roads I have been on seem to lead to some of the best restaurants and food stops. It is almost as if some of the best restaurant owners know and appreciate the beauty of the roads in that area and strategically plan it so that they can meet the needs of hungry motorcyclist out on their Sunday morning rides. For the next couple of articles I wanted to dedicate the time to mention some note worthy roads and restaurants that are worth traveling. Of course these places I have dined at, and these are strictly my own opinion of these places. It is up to you to check these places out and develop your own opinion of them. ;)

So the first place I wanted to tell you guys about isn’t really a restaurant, but they have PIE! When I first started riding I kept hearing so many stories about Pie rides, and let me tell you, there’s nothing better to hit the spot that some pie and ice cream. One of my first long rides was in San Diego to a restaurant to get some pie. But I will save that route for another day. The place that I wanted to talk about today is actually a cute little ranch that is part of a ride I had previously mentioned. This ride to the Gizdich Ranch (www.gizdich-ranch.com) is actually along the continuation of the Uvas Road route. It is a nice short journey that any rider, who is already comfortable enough on their bike, will be able to make. This ride is ideal for your days off, or an early morning ride because the ranch is only open from 9am-5pm daily. Also, I have ridden this road at dusk before, and the sun is just hovering right in your eyes and is quite dangerous for those unfamiliar to the road.

Starting from Uvas Reserivoir parking lot (Refer to The Newbie Ride That Never Gets Old on how to get there) make a left out of the parking lot heading south. When you reach the fork in the road, take the right hand path down Watsonville Road. Heading in this direction you’ll be passing a nice field of grapevines and a winery (which explains the Uvas name). You’ll eventually come to a T-stop intersection. Upon approaching the stop sign you will see a sign pointing right for 152 Watsonville. Make a left and you’re going to be riding on one of the smoothest most beautiful road in the area. This stretch of 152 is lined with bright lines of double yellow and new reflectors that just pop out of the ground. (This road is beautiful at night because it is as if you are just following the yellow brick road. However, be weary of night life that may wander onto the road if you do decide to take this trip at night.) The road is basically made up of nice wide sweepers. However, don’t get too carried away because there is one tricky 10-15 mph turn that you need to keep an eye out for. I have seen been on one too many rides where a rider has laid down their bike at this turn. Once you pass this point, you will follow the road to the left bringing you to an optional pit stop at Mt. Madonna Inn parking lot. On a clear day, this parking lot can offer beautiful views of the land below.

Continuing on this part you will be confronted with some tight and technical roads downhill. Trucks with trailers drive through here which can cause some slow traffic. Don’t get impatient because there is no where to pass safely on the mountain, and little room for mistakes due to a nice cliff drop off to your right for a majority of the ride down (That’s why I recommend making this a morning ride). After about 4 miles and 1000+ elevation drop, you will reach the base of Mt. Madonna. Here, you need to make a left. Follow the signs pointing you towards the fruit picking and pie shop. Once you pull into the parking lot, you can’t get lost if you just follow your nose to the pie (or the huge sign painted on the barn that is pointing you in the right direction).

Gizdich sells pie by the slice, whole, with or with ice cream. They also sell strawberry short cakes, apple dumplings, and a variety of other goodies. (Check out their website for more listings) Inside the barn there are tables and chairs set aside for customers to sit down and enjoy their sweets . If it’s a warm and sunny day out, everyone is mostly occupying the picnic benches out in the back area. For those of you who are not ready to tackle the pie just yet, they also offer a sandwich and bag of chips. I always ask for the sandwich with a cup of fruit, which isn’t something they normally do, but of the times I asked, they were always more than willing to make the exception. Also, their fresh squeezed apple juice is a must have!

This place would usually be a little pricey for my taste, but it’s one item that I feel is just well worth it. In fact, their pies are so worth it that I have seen fellow riders going to the extremes to buy one and bring it home. I have personally witnessed a rider buy a whole strawberry to take home, strapping it onto the back of his bike with just a bungee net! Granted the pie didn’t make it home in one piece because he was having too much fun riding, but I was told it tasted just as amazing. Don’t believe me? Only one way to find out, hop on that bike and find out for yourself.

One Sweet Ride

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