Riding in the Sierra Nevada area

[AngryScientist]

i did a ton of driving out in the high sierras last week. i was quite enamored with the terrain and the elevation change, along with the fun, twisty, windy roads. unfortunately most of the roads i was on were quite narrow, with no usable shoulders. vehicle traffic was very low, but still present.

i'm talking highway 49 into mariposa ca type of roads. impressive stuff.

obviously i was out that way for a limited time and spent some time hiking and exploring, but have to wonder: is there good road riding up there? are there roads that are safe and pleasant to ride? I'm certain there must me.

whos riding out in the Sierras? where?

[dan682]

On my list of rides to do some day.

Here's some good info from a guy who used to lead a lot of rides up here in Seattle:

http://tomsbicycleblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/part-i-high-sierrashardest-climbs-in.html

http://tomsbicycleblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/below-is-long-and-detailed-blow-by-blow.html

[FlashUNC]

There's always The Death Ride.

[Ken Robb]

I have done a lot of motorcycling in The Sierras and I agree with your observation that nice wide shoulders are rare. There are some roads east of Visalia, past Springville to Ponderosa that are fun with very little traffic. In the off-season Sequoia and Kings canyon are lovely and have much less traffic than Yosemite.

I guess cutting a two-lane roadbed into the side of a mountain was difficult enough without including room for wide shoulders.

[eddief]

http://www.grizzlycentury.org/page2/page2.html

another resource:

http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/160345

[joosttx]

i did a ton of driving out in the high sierras last week. i was quite enamored with the terrain and the elevation change, along with the fun, twisty, windy roads. unfortunately most of the roads i was on were quite narrow, with no usable shoulders. vehicle traffic was very low, but still present.

i'm talking highway 49 into mariposa ca type of roads. impressive stuff.

obviously i was out that way for a limited time and spent some time hiking and exploring, but have to wonder: is there good road riding up there? are there roads that are safe and pleasant to ride? I'm certain there must me.

whos riding out in the Sierras? where?
I have a hell of a mix terrain route. Let me know if you are interested.

[etu]

Look up Death Ride and the routes around Markleeville. Ebbets, Monitor, etc. Also Sonora pass is supposed to be amazing. Lack of shoulders made up for by light traffic and windy roads that force drivers to pay attention.
One of my most memorable ride was from Cranes Flat in Yosemite to Tioga Pass, down to Lee Vining and Mono Lake, then to Bridgeport on 395.

[AngryScientist]

Also Sonora pass is supposed to be amazing.

Sonora pass is closed right now.

Interestingly, there is SO much water moving around NorCal right now that some of the destruction is quite amazing. Lots of roads washed out, lots of earth movement and slides. While I was in the Park last week, Yosemite has it's hands full doing repairs all over the place.

One part of my job involves looking at hydroelectric plants all over the country, and some of the access roads to the small hydro facilities burried deep in the sierras are destroyed. Very impressive.

Houston - i'll let you know next time i'm up in that neck of the woods and take you up on that route, i'm itching to do some riding up that way. Have you also noticed a lot of destruction on your typical routes from all the water this year?

[doomridesout]

I just rode Mosquito Ridge Road near Auburn and it was really, really cool. https://www.pjammcycling.com/82.--mosquito-ridge-rd-east--ca.html

[Ken Robb]

I just rode Mosquito Ridge Road near Auburn and it was really, really cool. https://www.pjammcycling.com/82.--mosquito-ridge-rd-east--ca.html

These are the kinds of roads I meant when I wrote about great motorcycling. You can see that there are few places with shoulders and there are serious drop-offs. The price of beauty I guess.

[AngryScientist]

I just rode Mosquito Ridge Road near Auburn and it was really, really cool. https://www.pjammcycling.com/82.--mosquito-ridge-rd-east--ca.html

excellent!

[dem]

I just rode Mosquito Ridge Road near Auburn and it was really, really cool. https://www.pjammcycling.com/82.--mosquito-ridge-rd-east--ca.html

"just" rode it as in recently? Road open to the top, snow, etc.?

Might head over there this weekend on the moto-bicycle rig.

[JimmyTango]

A friend of mine that used to live in Auburn took me on this route last summer:
https://www.strava.com/activities/585044027

We saw 2 cars, no joke.

Highly recommended but bring all your own food and water as there are no services once you leave the starting point.

Here is a photo from the top of the first climb while you're still in foothill territory.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BFxYHtwyEzx/?taken-by=rileymarmesh&hl=en

[ptourkin]

There's always The Death Ride.

Will it happen? I got an email that Alta Alpina which is essentially the same climbs for less $ is canceled again this year due to conditions.

[John H.]

It is a million times better to do it on your own anyhow.
No traffic up that way.
Just need to plan food/bottles.

[Bostic]

Will it happen? I got an email that Alta Alpina which is essentially the same climbs for less $ is canceled again this year due to conditions.

I am bummed out that the Alta Alpina Double Century is cancelled this year but based on the email from the Ride Director, it makes sense. Kingsbury Grade has mudslides and other road issues. For me, it's the most difficult of the tough doubles but the scenery and long descents make up for it. I don't want a modified course that leaves out some of the 8 climbs.

The Death Ride website doesn't mention anything about the road conditions but I'm going to assume that Ebbetts Pass will be open by July 8th. Also, there are way more paying cyclists so they have more funds to work with considering they have CHP close both Monitor and Ebbetts for a part of the day.

Since I'm slow, I have gotten to the Monitor descent to Topaz late in the day during the Alta Alpina. That long descent by yourself is much different to a few thousand riders on the road during the morning of the Death Ride.

[ptourkin]

I am bummed out that the Alta Alpina Double Century is cancelled this year but based on the email from the Ride Director, it makes sense. Kingsbury Grade has mudslides and other road issues. For me, it's the most difficult of the tough doubles but the scenery and long descents make up for it. I don't want a modified course that leaves out some of the 8 climbs.

The Death Ride website doesn't mention anything about the road conditions but I'm going to assume that Ebbetts Pass will be open by July 8th. Also, there are way more paying cyclists so they have more funds to work with considering they have CHP close both Monitor and Ebbetts for a part of the day.

Since I'm slow, I have gotten to the Monitor descent to Topaz late in the day during the Alta Alpina. That long descent by yourself is much different to a few thousand riders on the road during the morning of the Death Ride.

Tough break for them the second year in a row. Very tough but I really enjoyed the more low key vibe at this event. Better luck in 2018.

[Hindmost]

From a base in Markleeville most of the passes are out and back so a person could adjust routes based on conditions. There are a few days of riding to be had there.

[doomridesout]

I was at the Greekstore intersection on top of Mosquito Ridge on Saturday. The road was totally clear with only a few snow drifts remaining. Get up there before it starts getting hot. The Forest Service has the road closed but it's clear if you're on a bike.

That full monty French Meadows loop looks absolutely bonkers. I'd love to do something like that at some point but I'm apprehensive about going alone. What's the deal with water stops up there?

[JimmyTango]

That full monty French Meadows loop looks absolutely bonkers. I'd love to do something like that at some point but I'm apprehensive about going alone. What's the deal with water stops up there?

It was a great day, but yeah, the tank was empty when we were all done. The most exahusting part of the whole thing was actually the 18miles/4300ft/-5% straight of descending at speed. Most epic thing I've done on a bike.

The only water stop is at about 35mi into the loop the way we did it, and it is just a fresh water spring bubbling out of an old pipe on the side of the road. We had been told to keep our eyes peeled for a marker around that mileage, and sure enough there was a big H20 and arrow painted with white spray can on the pavement to mark the spot.

We all drank full bottles and had no gastro issues so I can vouch for it's potability.

[dem]

Looks like Greekstore is at is at 5600 elevation, and if you take Robinsons (dirt) further up it tops out at ~6900 around Robinson's Flat Campground. I'd hate to make the trip and not do the full monty! Think it is doable?

I'm thinking this route:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/20834363

[Peter B]

As for AADC, well, it adds 3 passes and ~5,000' of climbing to the Death Ride but otherwise traverses the same terrain, albeit with a fraction of the riders. Terrific route when conditions permit. Mostly remote though so kind of challenging to do solo unsupported in a day.

Once you get down to Robinson Flat and Mosquito Ridge you guys are in my backyard. One of my favorite loops is Grass Valley>>Colfax>>Iowa Hill>>Sugarpine Reservoir>>Robinson Flat>>French Meadows>>Middle Fork Powerhouse>>Placer Big Trees>>Foresthill>>Yankee Jim's>>Shirttail Canyon>>Colfax>>Grass Valley. It's about 120 miles and 16,000' of climbing with "reliable" water at the school in Iowa Hill, the well at Robinson Flat and once down to Foresthill. Surface water varies with season and requires treatment. I usually take 4 large bottles and lots of calories. Fantastic riding but very little in the way of 'support' for about 80 miles of the loop. :help:

[JimmyTango]

Looks like Greekstore is at is at 5600 elevation, and if you take Robinsons (dirt) further up it tops out at ~6900 around Robinson's Flat Campground. I'd hate to make the trip and not do the full monty! Think it is doable?

I'm thinking this route:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/20834363

Looks fine to me... but I'm not really a local and my only experience with those roads is the one ride I did *shrug*

[henrypretz]

You were in my hood. Nearly all of the climbing I ride is in the Sierras east of where I live (Madera). I'm also on the board of the local cycling club.
Hwy 49 there near Mariposa is treacherous, but there are miles of road, paved and unpaved, that are low traffic in that area specifically and throughout the mountains.
Kings Canyon and Sequoia are great, along with the Shaver Lake area and countless others.
This is our club's signature event
http://www.climbtokaiser.com/

[Peter B]

<snip>

This is our club's signature event
http://www.climbtokaiser.com/

I miss the Dinky Double.

[doomridesout]

What are the odds of getting together some sort of Paceline group ride together for one of these big loops near Auburn, like one of these loops around French Meadows? Time is pretty tight for me lately and for the next few months but maybe we can resurrect this thread around September when it cools off again?

[henrypretz]

I miss the Dinky Double.
Every year there is talk of bringing it back ...... no movement on it though.

[AngryScientist]

What are the odds of getting together some sort of Paceline group ride together for one of these big loops near Auburn, like one of these loops around French Meadows? Time is pretty tight for me lately and for the next few months but maybe we can resurrect this thread around September when it cools off again?

id fly out for it if my schedule allowed.

[CaptStash]

The Death Ride routes are pretty nice, but my favorite by far is Sonora Pass from Pinecrest. Hwy 108 in the summer is damn near paradise. Very little traffic, very high quality pavement and some of the most beautiful mountain scenery there is. I usually ride Sonora PAss every summer when I'm at Cal family camp.

It's a pretty intimidating ride at about 85 miles round trip and 8,500 ft of climbing, lots of is in double digits, but if you aren't into the masochism of the pass itself, the round trip from Pinecrest to Dardanelles (about the base of the pass) is a perfect ride. It's 50 miles round trip, and teh climbs are all quite mild. Plus there is a little store in Dardanelles with all you could ask for at the half way mark.

http://forums.thepaceline.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=101316&d=1346713224

The base of the pass. NOT for the faint of heart.

CaptStash....

[dem]

If anyone is game, I'm going for the Mosquito + Corkscrew + End of the World route on Saturday morning. :)

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/20855403

Pedals up @ 8 AM at Mega's Cafe in Foresthill. You should be able to maintain 2.5 watts/kg forever, and have low enough gearing for double digit grades, have at least 700x28 tires for the 6 miles of dirt, enough water capacity for 4 hours minimum of riding (I take a 2L camelbak and 2 bottles for epic solo jaunts like this.)

Send me a PM if you're a lunatic.

[doomridesout]

Dude. If I didn't think it would have terrible implications for my finals period I would be there.

[dem]

Great riding, a bit chilly, couple of road closures.. still managed to make it to the end of the world, so that's something!

Will have to head back to do the full loop some time!

Bottom of Mosquito:
https://i1.wp.com/dennisrides.files.wordpress.com/2017/05/wp-1494123581764.jpg?ssl=1&w=800

End of the world:
https://i0.wp.com/dennisrides.files.wordpress.com/2017/05/wp-1494120928418.jpg?ssl=1&w=800

[doomridesout]

Did you turn around at the closure at mile 20 on Mosquito Ridge Road? I went past it to no ill effect when I was there a couple weeks ago.

Edit: Just read your report- yikes, I'm glad the rangers weren't so salty when I was there!