Gold Lakes Mountain Biking/Wheeling July 29,30,31st

It seems like there's a bunch of us who mountain bike so I'd thought we could put a trip together. We could camp at Gold Lakes, ride around the Lakes Basin area and then ride the trails into Downieville, eat, drink beer and Shuttle back.

If you mountain bike and haven't ridden Downieville you're missing out. The trails are all pretty easy but super fun. However, I wouldn't necessarily call them beginner friendly. Be prepared for a long day of riding. Bring 2 spare tubes (even if you're tubeless), a good multitool, lots of water, snacks and the usual stuff.

There's some good info here -
http://www.downievilleoutfitters.com/

And here -
http://www.yubaexpeditions.com/

I'd be heading up sometime after work on Friday. If anyone could go up earlier to secure a campsite that would be good.

Any non bikers are welcome to join as well. Also, if any non bikers would like to volunteer to shuttle that would also be good. I could probably cram 5 bikes into and on my truck if need be. I just need someone to drive it.

 

I have family visiting this weekend, no go for me.

 

I'd like to go again later in the around September or October, just before it snows.

 

I'd be done to go around that time. No bike but I can shuttle like a mofo.

 

That reminds me. Can anyone head up a day early to secure a spot?
If not we can find a spot in the national forest nearby.

 

I would be up for this but I need a little more notice. Maybe the Sept. Oct. trip.

 

im a maybe. Not sure I will be able to. But I will try. Oct sounds good.

 

I have a bike but been so long since I have rode it. I think it would be something scary to watch and experience.
Like Mike mentioned I could possibly help with shuttling.

 

You just have to be going fast! That way you have less time on the trail to eat shit.

 

LMAO, I feel all warm and fuzzy now.

 

Downieville is awesome! just pedal pedal non stop....

 

I haven't been there in a few years. I'm really looking forward to getting some riding in.

 

I was going to head up to Gold Lake with my son on August 2nd. Since that's a Tuesday, do you think I'll be able to find a spot at the campground? How is the road out there? Stock 4x4 friendly?

Is anyone familiar with the wheeling roads in the area? I'm looking at "California Backroads and 4-wheel-drive trails" and it shows several interesting options.

 

Yeah, it's stock 4X4 friendly. If you haven't been there it's really nice. Downieville is a fantastic place to visit as well.

This is another good resource to have http://www.sierratrails.org/map

The roads are varied. I think Snake Lake Trial is fairly difficult. Otherwise everything else is either rough fire roads or fire roads.

I can't comment on weekday availability but if it's full there is plenty of dispersed camping in the national forest. If you don't already know - just make sure you have an up to date fire permit, a shovel and a bucket for water and a nearby water source.

Edit: I just remembered the Downieville Mountain Bike Race and Festival starts August 4th. Just to put this event into perspective I've heard that 1/2 of the areas annual income comes from the weekend the race is held. People come from all over the world to race it and watch it. It'll probably be a pretty busy week up there.

 

i'd love to check out Dville one day. i'm a better climber than the downhill stuff. guys i pass going up, smoke me on the other side.

i cant get out of my own head i guess.

 

It's super fun. The trails aren't particulary technical. They have super long lines of sight so you can go pretty fast. From time to time there's some small drops that you can launch at speed.

Where do you normally ride?

I live in Campbell so I ride Soquel Demonstration Forest almost exclusively. I get over to Santa Cruz from time to time. I used to be a good climber about 15 years ago. Now I just don't ride enough to be fast.

 

i used to live in Concord. so i rode that open space between me and walnut creek. i climb slow, but steady.

now i'm in Santa Rosa, so i am trying to do Annadel daily. going from my house is a 13 mile loop. it's getting easier.

 

I'm pretty sure I won't be going to Downieville this weekend.

I drove my truck this morning instead of the bike. I heard some belt squealing when I started it up and it went away quickly. Shortly after I smelled burning rubber and pulled over. The AC/Waterpump belt had melted through. I tried turning the AC compressor and it seems to be seized. I'm hoping it was just the clutch or I can maybe bypass it for now.
If it weren't for the belt running the water pump I really wouldn't care.

Who was planning on going?

I was hoping to be sitting down writing about a meet up location for Friday night.

 

i cant go. family coming to town this week.