Downieville or Santa Cruz (UCSB)

[iLuveketchup]

Heading to LA for work at the end of the month. Will make my way north after. If you can only choose one, which would you ride - Downieville or Santa Cruz? I've been to Santa Cruz a number of times, but never to ride. Closest to Downieville I've been to is Lake Tahoe. So that would be a neat new experience.

 

[MadisonDan]

I’ve only ridden Wilder Ranch from the Santa Cruz Factory. Good for 2-3 hours. Heard there is “other stuff, unmarked” there, but didn’t have time to explore.

 

[teabagger11]

When I lived in norcal I never rode Santa Cruz but downievlle lots of times did the downieville downhill race a bunch of times that was back in the 90's so I'm sure there's probably a lot more there but 17 miles of downhill is tough to beat!

 

[iLuveketchup]

Downieville it is! Now my eternal conundrum on whether to fly with my bike or rent at Downieville... hmm.

 

[teabagger11]

I think renting a bike there would make traveling easier downieville is a long way from LA

 

[iLuveketchup]

I think renting a bike there would make traveling easier downieville is a long way from LA

You are right. it would be a pain to move luggage and bike bag around.

I've reserved a Santa Cruz Heckler and shuttle ride to the top from Downieville Outfitters. Can't wait! I'll be there for two days (albeit hotel is an hr away) and plan to do the tower to town route for at least one of those days.

 

[iLuveketchup]

Some photos from the Sierra Buttes trail to the tower.

 

[teabagger11]

Very nice!

 

[iLuveketchup]

Some more photos from Downieville.

 

[teabagger11]

Downieville is a happening place!

 

[mattybfat]

Pretty certain that yellow Ford pick up is Mark Weir's, pretty awesome long time pro mtber who's now a full time emtb'er living in downie

 

[a.s.]

Some more photos from Downieville.

One of the greatest mountain bike adventures/experiences I ever had was at Downieville. Love the pictures. Enjoy!

 

[gmb3]

i have a tentative Downieville/Tahoe trip planned for Sept/Oct. I hope it actually happens.

 

[gmb3]

i have a tentative Downieville/Tahoe trip planned for Sept/Oct. I hope it actually happens.

Downieville trip is booked! Much excite! Going 9/22-9/25 and staying in town right above Yuba bike shop. Now taking recos for food, trails, whatever. I am meeting up with west coast friends who've been there before so that should help too.

 

[iLuveketchup]

You have to do the Gold Valley Rim trail. The best trail there, IMO. Amazing views, fun climb, and neat descent.

Gold Valley Rim Trail Trail at Downieville

A fun trail with amazing views, Gold Valley Rim Trail used to be part of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). This section of the PCT was realigned, and is now a multi-use trail,...

www.trailforks.com

Gold Valley Rim --> service road --> Pauley Creek --> Butcher Ranch --> Third Divide

^^^ much better that the Downieville Classic IMO.

 

[gmb3]

A little over a week out from my trip and the Mosquito Fire is trashing the air quality in Downieville. Our group may be calling an audible. Any recommendations for somewhere my west coast friends wouldn't have to drive too far? They're in Santa Cruz, San Fran and Sacramento. Santa Cruz friend says his local trails are blown out dry and wouldn't recommend.

 

[KenS]

Henry Coe or Mammoth, both sorta far from Sacramento though. Bear Valley if AQI is good there. Looking at the map I wonder if you can get away with a Rim Trail/Marlette/Ash Canyon type of thing, but if Truckee is bad the east shore probably is too.

Mt. Shasta Maybe? Also the stuff outside of Redding looks great, never been to either though.

Huge punt and mega road trip to Sun Valley or Salt Lake? Both only 11 or so hrs from SC

 

[gmb3]

Thanks Ken! Our Plan B may be Colorado due to easy flights, though things may be clearing up in Downieville. Sucks though that our airbnb cancel date is today and we don't know what to do. :/

 

[KenS]

Fire and Smoke Map

fire.airnow.gov

The east shore looks pretty good AQI wise. Ever ridden the Rim Trail or the stuff around Spooner? Tough to predict in a week though, really tough call.

 

[gmb3]

Fire and Smoke Map

fire.airnow.gov

The east shore looks pretty good AQI wise. Ever ridden the Rim Trail or the stuff around Spooner? Tough to predict in a week though, really tough call.

i have never ridden anywhere in CA