The real best way to get to Google is to follow Steven's Creek Trail. This trail gets its name, surprisingly, from Steven's Creek, which will henceforth be referred to as The Stupidest Piece of Water Ever. Why, one might ask, can't we just bike west from NASA Ames straight to the Googleplex? What's with the big detour? Because The Stupidest Piece of Water Ever is in the way. It's only about one or two metres wide; I've considered throwing my bike over and jumping, but I've never been all that impatient.
Anyway, The Stupidest Piece of Water Ever is next to the very lovely Steven's Creek Trail. There are trees and lots of other bikers and very few cars. (I haven't seen a single car on the trail yet, in fact.) The general idea of the trail is:
- Head south for about a mile, directly east of The Stupidest Piece of Water Ever.
- Head north for about a mile, directly west of The Stupidest Piece of Water Ever.
- Ditch the trail and somehow teleport yourself to Charleston, then head west until Google.
I found this trail using the wonderful zoomed-in satellite imagery in Google Maps. I'm not sure whether it saves time, but it's certainly a more enjoyable ride. I have documented it in more detail in my Steven's Creek Trail photo gallery.
Oh, and you're not a pansy if you use the simple route at night. Middlefield is very badly lit, thus preserving your macho-ness. If you take Steven's Creek Trail in the dark, you're more macho than Rambo.