How's the riding in far-northern California?

Benneke · #1 05-03-2016, 11:40 PM

I'll be moving to the Yreka region of California in a couple weeks (just south of the Oregon border, east of the coastal mtns). Has anyone ridden in the region? I haven't spoken with any cyclists in the area, but it looks like there's quite a bit of interesting riding.

Louis · #2 05-03-2016, 11:43 PM

http://www.tuccycle.org/

On further reflection, that's S and W of you.

Nags&Ducs · #3 05-04-2016, 12:25 AM

Good scenery, hills, weather, and chance to encounter Bigfoot.

gngroup · #4 05-04-2016, 12:35 AM

I rode the TUC last year and am headed up in a few days to it again. Beautiful scenery. Horrible roads! A lot of good cycling up there and a lot of good cyclists as well.

mhespenheide · #5 05-04-2016, 12:50 AM

I've never lived there, but I've road-tripped and camped through the areas between Yreka and the coast and brought a bike. It is amazing, particularly if you're willing to get into the "adventure" biking/gravel/drop bar mountain bike blend. More miles of Forest Service dirt roads than any one person can finish in a lifetime. Not many other riders that I've seen, but I'm sure they're out there. TUC is a good starting point for the coastal stuff.

edit: Don't be afraid of crossing the state line and heading up to Southern Oregon around Ashland, Medford, and Grant's Pass. More options for paved roads up there, and some very nice riding.

Peter B · #6 05-04-2016, 01:42 AM

PM me and I can put you in touch with a local or two. Fantastic riding up that way. Etna, Callahan, Forks of Salmon...lots of beautiful, remote, tough terrain.

Here's a taste...

CMiller · #7 05-04-2016, 01:53 AM

Had some great times camping and hiking out there, but no riding. Truly gorgeous area.

Get a bikepacking rig and explore!!!

Mzilliox · #8 05-04-2016, 09:22 AM

its as good as any riding anywhere. the variety is amazing. redwoods, beaches, mountains, lakes and rivers all at your door step. If you like dirt, we have plenty of ol fire roads. I ride around southern oregon, just an hour or so to the north.

put another way... you would be hard pressed to find an area with better riding.

Tony · #9 05-04-2016, 09:28 AM

Spent lots of time in the area, mostly in Trinidad kayaking. Beautiful area with lots of pack packing, hiking and mtbing opportunities. Have not did any road rides in the area. Below are some pictures of the rim trail in Trinidad
https://picasaweb.google.com/1077090...nidadRimTrial#

bikingshearer · #10 05-04-2016, 06:23 PM

I've done a little bit of road riding in the Yreka area and some drive-through scouting for route planning. It is a wonderful area to explore. I know literally nothing about mountain biking in the area but can get you started checking out road options.

To the east toward Montague, there are some great rolling-hills type of roads with little traffic. I rode east to Montague, then north and west pretty much to the Oregon border - it was great. BTW, if you are willing to get on I-5 for a few miles at Hornbrook, the first exit over the Oregon border takes up and over the old Siskiyou Summit and down a fantastic descent (including a turn where the road literally loops under itself) to a few easy miles short of Ashland.

To the south, you can ride flat-to-rolling roads all the way to Dunsmuir. I rode that south-to-north, and it is very nice. You pass close to both Weed and Mt. Shasta City without having to go into either unless you want to. From Mt. Shasta City you can climb up Mt. Shasta itself until the asphalt ends at somewhere around 7,000 feet (fantastic place to drive up to for star-gazing on dark, clear nights, BTW).

A real highlight on rides east and south of Yreka are the views of Mt. Shasta. At 14,000+ feet with nothing close to that size in the area, it is a visual treat that never gets old.

To the north is a pretty road that climbs and the drops into the Klamath River valley (it has a state highway number, but I don't remember what it is - just head north on the main street that is obviously the old main highway through town). I did not ride that road, but I did drive it and it looks like it would be fun and challenging. Highway 96 west along the Klamath should be gorgeous, but I have not done that on a bike or in a car, and rumor has it that 96 has a combination of narrow lanes and a fair amount of truck traffic that makes it less than ideal, but you'll have to scout that out for yourself.

To the southwest is Highway 3 that goes up and over a serious range into territory I know nothing about but have to believe is wonderful.

Yreka is not exactly a teeming metropolis, and my sense is that the outdoor scene runs more to fishing and hunting than to running and cycling, so do not expect much in the way of LBS support. But it is a very pretty area, and you should be able to satisfy your riding jones.