REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

tell me about sacramento area trails

2003 Views 38 Replies 20 Participants Last post by bycyclist, Jul 8, 2009

Captain_America1976

Discussion Starter · Jun 27, 2009

there is a good chance we will be relocating to sacramento from maryland just outside of dc. my wife is interviewing with a company out there, and we are going out there next weekend to check things out. i know tahoe is about an hour away, but other then that i know about the area as far a local trails. i am used to typical east coast rocks, roots, and short steep climbs.
i have 2 hardtail 29ers, one with gears and one with one gear. any tips on 29er friendly lbs would also be appreciated.

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Fiona

· #2 · Jun 27, 2009

Welcome to the area.

There are lots of trails within easy driving distance of Sacramento. Be prepared for longer climbs and higher temperatures out here. The trail systems can run the gamut from flowy, not too techy ST to really got to know your stuff technical.

There is lots of trail information at:

http://ogrehut.com

http://arnica.csustan.edu/mtbike/

Plus, you can do a search on MTBR for trails in Auburn, Granite Bay, Folsom, and Sacramento for starters.

The bike shop I'd recommend is Mad Cat. There are several others in the area, but I've had the best experience with them.

Fiona

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Captain_America1976

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 27, 2009

thanks for the info. i will check it out.
i figured the climbs would be longer, but i am not too worried about the heat. 95 degrees and 90% humidity around dc is pretty common in july and august.

nachomc

· #4 · Jun 27, 2009

I have a bunch of trails on my cycling page (sig). I think you'll like riding 29 and single out here. I have a Vassago and have ridden most of the trails out here on it. Looking forward to riding Tahoe on it in a few weeks

.

One great thing about Sacramento is that we have a lot of great LBS'. My favorite is Natomas Bike Shop. The guys there are really friendly and it's a few minutes from home. Depending on where you are, you can't go wrong with Mad Cat, Bicycles Plus, and I may be in the minority here, but I like Mike's Bikes downtown. The service manager, Wayne, is an incredibly great guy and he's taken fantastic care of me and my bikes.

aLLboutLx

· #5 · Jun 27, 2009

Captain_America1976 said:
thanks for the info. i will check it out.
i figured the climbs would be longer, but i am not too worried about the heat. 95 degrees and 90% humidity around dc is pretty common in july and august.

What about 105 degree temps like it's going to be this weekend.

Captain_America1976

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jun 27, 2009

aLLboutLx said:
What about 105 degree temps like it's going to be this weekend.

that's pretty hot. have i heard correctly that its a dry heat? the humidity here with what kills me.

nachomc: it sounds like my jabberwocky will be right at home there

thefrush

· #7 · Jun 27, 2009

You will like riding out here, SS 29er is a great set-up for Sacramento vicinity trails.

Captain_America1976 said:
that's pretty hot. have i heard correctly that its a dry heat? the humidity here with what kills me.

Yes.

nachomc

· #8 · Jun 28, 2009

Captain_America1976 said:
nachomc: it sounds like my jabberwocky will be right at home there

When you said single speed and east coast, I was pretty sure you had one

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bycyclist

· #9 · Jun 28, 2009

If you end up near Roseville/Rocklin, check out the Hub. That's a great shop! As far as local trails within 45 minutes drive:

Granite Bay
Salmon Falls
Stagecoach/Manzanita/Mossy Rock
Clementine-Confluence
Connector + Foresthill Divide
Hidden Falls
Salmon Falls
Quarry Trail
Cool

I'm sure there is more that I've missed especially on the Folsom/El Dorado HIlls side I don't know much about. Plus there are enormous trail expansions underway at Hidden Falls and Salmon Falls to Coloma - which makes 30+ mile epics very possible in the near future.

Then if you're willing to drive up toward Tahoe, Nevada City, or Downieville, then its pretty much an all-you-can-ride buffet!

The riding is year around here, although there will usually be a month or so that the trails get pretty rained out. As far as the heat, its no prob as long as you go early. I usually hit the trails by 6:30 or 7:00am at the latest during the heat of the summer - then its not bad at all.

Its a great biking area! Welcome! Your bikes will be fine locally - I'm usually riding SS 29er as well, although the higher elevation I go, I end up on my 1x9 29er geared.

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Captain_America1976

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jun 28, 2009

thanks for all the great replies. i am getting pretty excited about the potential move. they are flying us out there wednesday for a long weekend to check it out. i am not going to get any riding in, but it will give us a good idea of the area.
i think we will be looking at houses in roseville since its close to work and close to where we want to send my son to school.
it sounds like both my bikes will be a perfect for that area. it also sounds like there are lots of good lbs out there. hopefully i will be able to fine one as good as my current shop.
i ride around here year round, so i am sure it will be fine there.
thanks again for all the relies.

BT3916

· #11 · Jun 29, 2009

Wassupp Cap, Welcome to Sacramento!

Im new to Mtn biking myself, but I like riding my 29er in Folsom, and Performance bikes is a cool shop with a pretty nice staff, I walked in and they made a few adjustments on my hydraulic brakes and I didnt even buy anything. And its right over the bridge from all the trails which are pretty fun. All the riders I have met on the trails have been way cool.

In Sac I like to ride the American River Trail starting at 10th and C st Downtown, its was my very 1st trail and it is a very fun trail, its a horse trail but mtn bikers maintian it, just tell the ranger that, otherwise he might issue that ticket! And I got to give props to City Bicycles Works on K st, they are awesome, they have some of the best customer service, any time I have a problem with my bike they are very prompt to fix it, and they go above and beyond which is the most important thing, they also have very competitive prices on bikes.

Peace and Safe Riding, maybe I will see you out there!

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Bokchoicowboy

· #12 · Jun 29, 2009

Captain,

Check out the Westpark area in Roseville for housing. Newest area of the city.

winchboy

· #13 · Jun 29, 2009

Don't forget along with all the mentioned above, Fleming Meadows near Jenkins lake in Pollock Pines for a nice flowing up and down ride. Bit Dusty and hot now at about 4,000' in the pines. Also nearby, 2 hr drive to North Star, and the high county trails of Hwy 50 and 88. Damn we are blessed!!

george_da_trog

· #14 · Jun 29, 2009

The one consistent comment I've heard from east coast riders who ride California high Sierra trails for the first time is that they're "loose". And they can be deep loose powder dirt, or loose crushed granite, a big change for some people but something most of us are used to.
.

george

Captain_America1976

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jun 30, 2009

thanks for all the good comments.

Check out the Westpark area in Roseville for housing. Newest area of the city.

my wife sent me listings from there tonight. we are going to spend some time friday looking there.

The one consistent comment I've heard from east coast riders who ride California high Sierra trails for the first time is that they're "loose". And they can be deep loose powder dirt, or loose crushed granite, a big change for some people but something most of us are used to.

on that note, what tires are people using? i am running both bikes with continental mountain king 2.4 in the back and kenda nevegal 2.3 up front.

bycyclist

· #16 · Jun 30, 2009

Captain_America1976 said:
on that note, what tires are people using? i am running both bikes with continental mountain king 2.4 in the back and kenda nevegal 2.3 up front.

Similar - on my 1x9 running 2.35 Panaracer up front, 2.2 Conti MK rear. On my SS, planning to run 2.35 Panaracer front, 2.2 Nevegal in rear. Nevegal and Panaracer nearly the same tread pattern.

Captain_America1976

Discussion Starter · #17 · Jun 30, 2009

bycyclist said:
Similar - on my 1x9 running 2.35 Panaracer up front, 2.2 Conti MK rear. On my SS, planning to run 2.35 Panaracer front, 2.2 Nevegal in rear. Nevegal and Panaracer nearly the same tread pattern.

i guess i should leave it alone for a while to see if i like it.

washedup

· #18 · Jun 30, 2009

I just moved back to Maryland after doing 1.5 years in sac. I had a great time and rode alot of different stuff since I knew I would return to the east eventually. Auburn and Rockville were my 2 regular haunts, both about 45 minutes from sac proper. Auburn is a great trail system with some decent climbing which I would compare to Patapsco on the east as far as difficulty and trail network. Rockville has got some technical stuff, but if you have done time at the shed you will have no problem with the rocks there. Short, tricky loops where 15 miles is a respectable ride. South Yuba was another favorite of mine and is great when things are wet. A decomposed granite trail which overlooks the river gives you spectacular views much of the way, but about an hour and a half away. There is no shortage of good riding out there and good folks to show you around. You can always show up on a group ride posted on here which is how I got plugged in. The views and the weather are just a little better than here in Maryland. Tire wise, I was running exiwolfs

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Captain_America1976

Discussion Starter · #19 · Jun 30, 2009

washedup said:
Auburn is a great trail system with some decent climbing which I would compare to Patapsco on the east as far as difficulty and trail network. Rockville has got some technical stuff, but if you have done time at the shed you will have no problem with the rocks there. Short, tricky loops where 15 miles is a respectable ride

i ride patapsco a lot and gambril on occasion. its nice to get local sacramento comparison. thanks

washedup said:
South Yuba was another favorite of mine and is great when things are wet. A decomposed granite trail which overlooks the river gives you spectacular views much of the way, but about an hour and a half away. There is no shortage of good riding out there and good folks to show you around. You can always show up on a group ride posted on here which is how I got plugged in. The views and the weather are just a little better than here in Maryland. Tire wise, I was running exiwolfs

i am going to go out on a limb and say that the views are going to a whole lot nicer than in md. i am really looking forward to getting out there.

where in md were you, and how was the transition? of my 33 years i have spent about 28 in montgomery county.

enabler

· #20 · Jun 30, 2009

When you get settled in ,come and join us every Tues nite at 6.pm in old town Folsom (near Bicycles Plus bike shop) The Folsom Breakouts have been meeting for over twenty years,mainly a drinking club with a cycling problem!!

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