Gloria Road is a San Benito/Monterey County dirt road between Hwy 25 and Gonzales. The road is mostly packed sandy dirt, and some rocky sections on the east end. There can be a lot of washboard on the east side after months of dry weather. Riding east from Hwy 25, the road climbs 800 feet in 8 miles to the top of the ridge, at the country line. It then descends 1,700 feet in 3.7 miles (8%) to the paved road and continues down into the valley to go to Gonzales or Soledad, or down the Salinas Valley to Salinas. From the west, take the paved Gloria Road from near Gonzales to the start of the dirt road at the Swiss Rifle Club. Climb 1,700 feet in 3.7 miles (8%) to the top of the ridge. Then descend gently 800 feet in 8 miles to Hwy 25. The road is half shaded on the east side. The west side is exposed, but will have shade early in the morning and during the winter, as the road hugs the north side of the ridge it follows. The view of the Salinas Valley is spectacular from the top of the ridge. There is no water on this route. If doing out and back, consider stashing a bottle at the top of the ridge where there are several large trees and shade.